After a successful return to golf last summer, Johnston & Murphy has expanded its golf shoe collection to include three additional men’s styles and two women’s golf shoes. A mainstay in the golf world in the 1970s, Johnston & Murphy was once the golf shoe of choice for Arnold Palmer, Ken Venturi and Hate Irwin—just to name a few. Inspired by the casualization of golf, the brand’s hybrid golf shoe collection is versatile with upscale designs and waterproof builds.
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The XC4 H2-Luxe Hybrid Saddle Golf Shoe is a modernized version of the saddle golf shoe Johnston & Murphy was known for as early as the 1920s. It’s a luxe-yet-casual hybrid golf shoe designed with busy professionals in mind, says Johnston & Murphy President Danny Ewoldsen.
“I think what has changed versus in the past is that customers are time-starved and they are looking for versatility,” Ewoldsen said. “So this idea that you can have a shoe that can be worn from your house to your office and straight to the course and also give you great comfort and style and perform, that’s a big deal.”
The shoe ($179) is available in three croc-embossed saddle options and two honeycomb designs. With waterproof leathers and an ultra-breathable construction, the it performs well in wet conditions but is lightweight enough to be an everyday shoe. Temperature-regulating polymers line the interior to keep things feeling fresh while memory-foam cushioning provides a ton of comfort on each step.
For a more athletic look with the same waterproofing and performance elements, the H2 Sport Hybrid Knit Golf Shoe has a refined sneaker-like finish. The all-navy colorway is easy to match with, while the gray option has hints of green and the white version features pops of red to add a little color to the simple shoe.
A holdover from the initial launch of the collection in June 2020, the H1-Luxe Hybrid is a sophisticated leather shoe with throwback heel styling to enhance any look. The golf shoe was an instant hit in the golf world and was one of the top sellers across the Johnston & Murphy brand that includes dress shoes, casual footwear and a new athletic collection in addition to the golf sector.
“The early successes have exceeded our expectations,” Ewoldsen said. “But for us, we really think about it through the Johnston & Murphy lens and as all things it really starts with the product and throughout our history our customers come to us for stylish shoes that also perform well and that position has not changed.”
The brand has also launched two women’s golf shoe styles—a mesh and leather hybrid. The sporty mesh H-1 Hybrid has a sleek athletic silhouette and multi-layered cushioning at the footbed. The waterproof knit will hold up in any conditions and has a leather trim for an added touch of sophistication.
The full leather version of the women’s golf shoe comes in an all-black version and a white colorway with metallic hints across the heel that add a ton of personality to the classically-designed shoe.
An avid golfer, Ewoldsen has been passionate about the brand’s return to golf and hinted at more to come around golf apparel, accessories and a tour-level golf shoe to come. He hopes combining the history of the brand with modern innovation will energize new and existing golfers in the space to continue to grow the game.
“There is heritage and there is tradition in golf and I think both things should be respected,” Ewoldsen said. “But I think we need to draw new players to the game and I think fashion can help do that in some way and people like to be able to express themselves and we”re excited about that.”
— to www.golfdigest.com
