Justin Thomas is proof that just because you’ve found something that works for your golf game, doesn’t mean you should stop testing new gear. Thomas has worn FootJoy’s most structured shoes, the Classics and the Premiere, since his junior golf days. But when he tested the FootJoy Hyperflex in 2024 and found improved clubhead speed, he made the switch.
“In the middle of last year, he was really looking into what other options in his game he can improve,” Patrick Trubiano, director of product management for FootJoy, said. “He’s definitely one of the players that seeks out information and benefits and how small things and footwear can improve his game. He looks at footwear as equipment. When you get fit for a ball or a club, it’s the same thing that should happen with golf footwear.”
The HyperFlex is a more athletic-looking shoe than what Thomas has historically played in, and it’s more flexible. But in testing, Thomas found that to be an advantage.
“It allowed him to be a little bit more athletic, especially with his swing, you can tell when he swings he almost comes off of the ground, he’s using the ground a lot. He wanted something that was going ot be a bit more responsive,” Trubiano explains.
The flexibility of the Hyperflex worked more naturally with how Thomas moves during his swing. He’s not someone who’s locked to the turf throughout his swing. The shoe is also more responsive due to the foam used in the midsole.
“Stratofoam has the best of both worlds where it has that initial feel of being nice and soft, athletic running-esque inspired, but it also has a tremendous amount of energy return,” Trubiano said. “Basic EVAs (a material often found in midsoles) will eventually crumble and flatten out, where Straofoam is engineered to have a lot of energy return, which players are able to use to their benefit during the swing.”
Thomas found the foam helped him use the ground more, which in turn creates more power and distance.
When FootJoy decided to make a new version of the Hyperflex for 2025, it reached out to Thomas for his input. This new model of the Hyperflex, which is becoming more and more popular on tour, has more structure than past versions.
The tongue has changed from the 2023 version. Instead of being sock-like with the tongue attached to the rest of the shoe, the tongue is now a traditional tongue, separate from the rest of the shoe. It makes the shoe easier to put on.
On the sides of the shoe, you’ll notice a saddle that hooks into the laces. This reinforcement of material surrounding the foot provides more stability.
Flip the shoe over and you’ll see six removable spikes and a zig zag-pattern along the outsole. Ridges run throughout it to provide more traction, but the ridges don’t cover all of the available space on the outsole. They’re left off certain areas to create flexibility in the shoe—one of the features that drew Thomas to the Hyperflex in the first place.
At the arch, you’ll see a section of plastic. Here, FootJoy has added a plate that prevents twisting. In April, FootJoy will release a version of this HyperFlex that has even more structure as it will incorporate a carbon plate instead of a plastic one. That’s the version Thomas is playing.
The shoe is waterproof and available in five colors, for $180, online and at retail.
Even if you’re happy with your current shoe, Thomas has proven that there’s no harm in trying something new. You might be surprised at what you find.
“It wasn’t a case where there was something wrong with what he was wearing, he was just looking at other shoes out there that might work better for his swing specifically,” Trubiano said. “For someone with Justin’s caliber, every little bit of improvement is massive.”
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
