How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

FootJoy Blog — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:26:21 GMT

Michael Sim collected his third win of the season Sunday at the Nationwide Tour's Christmas in October

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

ryancrysler — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:53:04 GMT

I think it's important the Footjoy is still an American company and I'm glad the remaining American employees have their jobs unlike millions of other Americans right now. In any event, I'm looking forward to the latest innovation! Are these going to be "myjoyable?"

Thanks for responding to all the comments Mr. Connor...it shows you really do care about the company.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:05:34 GMT

The ICON line looks great!

Count me in to check them out.

Let\'s give them a try before passing judgement and take it from there.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Sun, 17 May 2009 09:05:21 GMT

Naturally anyone would rue the demise of the Classics, but of course Footjoy can't keep making them at a loss, so that is that.

I think the Icon is actually very good. One disadvantage of the Classics is that they really weren't good in the wet. The traction was limited, and leather soles and water do not go together. The heels wear quickly, too. The Icon seems to have the style of the Classics, and an all-conditions high tech sole. That strikes me as ideal; and the fact that they will be fully customisable.

It is sad they are not of welted construction, but I reckon they'll be available at around $200, which is a fair price. For those who want expensive, handmade leather-soled golf shoes, I would suggest Church's of England (but hard to get, and around $500+, so very much for red letter days).

Finally, could FJ please explain why Reelfits (the technology of which I like), only come in those bizarre styles? Are you going to make the mainstream saddle-style shoes as Reelfits, or will they only ever come in that, in my view, dreadful modern styling with the silly "tramlines" etc.? Apart from that, keep up the good work.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:05:20 GMT

I'm not impressed with the SLIGHTLY "dressed up" DryJoys (Icon) but I'm VERY impressed that the president of the company has the class to respond to these posts. Good going...

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:05:01 GMT

I have purchased many pairs of Classics and Classic Drys over the past 20 years, One of the main reasons was the fit and quality of the FJ product. I will reserve judgement until I try a pair from this new line but from what I read I fear for both.

As an A width is there really a shoe in any FJ line that truly delivers on the promise of an elite shoe built for the needs of serious players? Walking 18 or 36 in a less than perfectly fitted shoe is certain to end my devotion to what has to this point been a superior shoe.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:05:39 GMT

I think this is a positive development. I have always thought the Premier Classics were glorious, but the heel wears quickly and the leather soles are not good in the wet. As far as I can see, these are the Premier uppers with a more functional all-conditions sole. That makes it an ideal golf shoe. The fact it will soon be customisable is better still. I only wish the Reelfit versions weren't so hideous... Could we have more styles available as Reelfit? I like that technology, but I hate the style of the uppers. The Icons will do me for everything from winter mud to summer rounds, and at around $220 on websites, the price is fair.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:05:59 GMT

Mr. Cuccinello -

We are taking pre-orders for FJ ICON shoe immediately and we are shooting for a late summer launch of FJ ICON in our MyJoys program.

Best Regards,

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:05:23 GMT

When will we be able to custom order the FJ Icons?

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:05:19 GMT

Don: We "hung in there" for 20 years longer than anyone else in this business and long after financial and logistical common sense said "quit". I disagree with you ---- footwear manufacturing is not coming back to the U.S. in yours and my lifetime. The costs are too high and the infrastructure to support shoe making left the U.S. years ago. Realistically, Don, how many pairs of Classics would you buy every year if they were at an unsubsidized, "true" market price of over $500 a pair? If the answer is several, we needed a lot more Don Johnsons than we had to make the Brockton facility sustainable. I'd encourage you to try the Icons before you go elsewhere to find another "off shore" golf shoe made by another brand --- I think you would be amazed the comfort and quality of this new category.

Regards,

Jim Connor

President - FootJoy

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:05:06 GMT

Tom: Thanks for your post. Yes, we do know what zip code we are in and we also know what time it is ---- and time stands still for no company, not even FootJoy. If you have time, read my post from March which explains the Brockton factory decision in some detail :

www.footjoyblog.com/.../fj-classics-update-from-jim-connor

If we could have kept the factory going in Brockton, we would have ---- it was no different than sitting down at your kitchen table month after month and seeing your bills pile up faster than your income. At some point, you have to cut back to live within your means. We spent the last 20 years subsidizing our Brockton facility when every other brand and company had left in the 70's and 80's for the same reason --- they couldn't afford to make shoes there anymore. That simple.

Hope you give the new category a try --- they are gorgeous shoes that perform in all kinds of conditions on a golf course. That is why FootJoy exists.

Regards,

Jim Connor

President - FootJoy

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:05:50 GMT

I have worn FJ shoes for 25 yrs and have been looking for a new pair for a month. Could not find any that I liked until I saw the new FJ ICON. It makes me want to buy several pair. I am in the men's clothing business and I think these are the best looking golf shoes ever.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:05:31 GMT

Wish you would have continued US production and just emphasized the "Made in America" Customers worldwide would have responded. Anybody can make another "off shore" jazzie shoe. To bad!

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:05:36 GMT

There is no question that the golf industry as a whole has suffered monetarily during tough economic times and FootJoy has been one of several companies affected by the recent recession. However, the Classics were a small representation of the greatness this country once possessed in manufacturing quality American products. To suggest that closing the factory in Brockton, MA and outsourcing the production of the new golf shoe is a great step for the average golfer is ridiculous. Tour players receive endorsements to wear these shoes. Did Mr. Erickson feel the employees in Brockton facility lacked the technical skills required to produce the new line of shoes? I own four different styles of the Classics, and I take pride in the fact the shoes were made in America. I am sad by the fact that Footjoy elected terminate a true Icon and replace it with an outsourced, overseas product.

How the FJ ICON Came About: Interview with FJ's Jack Erickson

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:05:02 GMT

Interesting to see Foot Joy's new "flagship", Icon product being imported from where? China? Vietnam? It doesn't seem to say. Disappointing to say the least. Sadly, maybe the US market doesn't currently support US made footwear- but I had to think you guys could have hung in there until it came full circle, and it will, in which case you will no longer have the capacity to fulfill the need. Makes me sad. And makes me look at other manufacturers. Bye.