FootJoy's new golf shoe delivers Premiere-level looks for (almost) half the price

There are many superlatives one can use to use the iconic FootJoy Premiere golf shoe, but cheap is not one of them.

Nor should it be. As the trusted choice of countless pros, the Premiere is still one of the best golf shoes you can buy, the standard bearer for classic golfing style and the high watermark for build quality in the industry. Very few golfers who invest in a pair end up regretting their purchase.

The Premiere is, however, an investment nonetheless, and at more than £200 for a pair, is simply out of reach for many players on a budget.

FootJoy does, of course, have a sizeable choice of mid-range shoes to choose from, but none have ever managed to effectively replicate the look of the Premiere for players who want a more classically-styled look. 

But that's now changed with the quiet introduction of the Vanguard, which delivers Premiere level looks for $100 less than its sibling.

The Vanguard is, at first glance, close to indistinguishable from the Premiere, but the difference, as ever, is in the details. Where the Premiere has a full-grain leather upper, the Vanguard is made from a synthetic (but still waterproof) material. Where the Premiere has a more advanced platform underfoot, the Vanguard has a more simple spiked outsole, with Duramax rubber providing added grip and durability.

This may sound like a compromise, but there's plenty of premium tech in the Vanguard to make it worth your purchase. It still, for instance, uses the same SoftSpikes Pulsar LP cleats found on the Premiere, delivering incredible traction for a shoe of its price. 

FootJoy have also emphasised that the Vanguard is designed to be durable and easy to care for, meaning players on a budget can invest safely knowing that these are going to last countless rounds.

And leather upper be damned, it looks absolutely spectacular.

While the Vanguard isn't available in the UK yet, it has arrived to shop now on FootJoy's US website at a price of $130 ($120 cheaper than the new Premiere Series Packard). You can grab a pair now at FootJoy's website.