The New 2026 Footjoy Premiere Packard is a Traditional Shoe Done Right

Somehow, in over a decade of reviewing golf shoes, I’ve never worn a pair of Footjoy Premiere Series shoes. 

They’re arguably the most iconic traditional golf shoes in the world. And for 2026? They look as good as ever – especially in the fully updated Packard LX model that I’m testing today.

After years of seeing them, and wondering “Are these as good as they’re cracked up to be?” I finally got my answer.

I’m now 2 rounds and 2 practice sessions deep with the new FootJoy Premiere shoes for 2026, and I’ve got some thoughts.

Are they worth buying? Let’s find out.

First Impressions of the FootJoy Premiere Packard LX

Let me start with this: I absolutely love the look of these shoes.

For years, I’ve thought the FootJoy Premiere Series, and specifically the Packard models, were some of the best-looking shoes in golf. Which makes it kind of embarrassing to admit that this is my first time ever wearing a pair.

When you think about traditional golf footwear, FootJoy’s Premiere line is basically royalty. This is their no-compromise, tour-level offering, and the Packard LX is the perfect example of that philosophy.

What sets the Packard apart from the standard Premiere models is that it takes that classic silhouette and adds a little extra character. You get decorative side panel detailing, classic brogue accents, and an overall design that leans a bit more toward heritage without going full vintage.

It’s clean and timeless, but with just enough personality to make it interesting. Think of it as the golf shoe equivalent of a well-tailored blazer; familiar, but done really well.

FootJoy Permiere Fit and Performance

I wear a size 12, and these fit true to size.

One thing I noticed right away: they feel, and look, slightly wider than I expected. That’s not necessarily good or bad, just something to be aware of. If you’ve struggled with some of the narrower, more athletic golf shoes out there, this might actually work in your favor.

The shape is traditional through and through. Nothing sleek or tapered here—these are unapologetically classic.

How Comfortable Are They?

Here’s the deal: these aren’t the most comfortable shoes out of the box.

They’re stiff. Really stiff. But honestly? That’s exactly what I expected from a hefty, tour-level spiked shoe like this.

Going into my first round, I was bracing myself for some heel rub or hot spots. But after walking 18 holes twice, I had zero blisters, zero weird rubbing, and zero problem areas. By the end of that second round, they were already starting to soften up and feel more natural.

That said, let’s be clear: these are not plush. They’re not sneaker-like. They’re significantly stiffer than most modern golf shoes you’ll try today.

For context, they’re nowhere near as comfortable out of the box as the FootJoy HyperFlex I reviewed last year. But in my opinion? They look infinitely better.

Stability & Traction

This is where the Premiere does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

These are heavy, planted, tour-caliber shoes. The Arc outsole combined with traditional spikes gives you outstanding grip in all conditions, zero slippage through your swing, and a really stable base—especially if you have an aggressive transition.

They said that for the brand new 2026 version of the shoe, traction has improved 29%. In real life, obviously, that’s tough to quantify, but regardless, traction is very much not a concern.

And considering this is the most worn shoe on the PGA Tour over the last 5 years, it shouldn’t come as a surprise they perform well here.

If you like feeling glued to the ground when you swing, you’re going to love these.

Even during wet Pacific Northwest February conditions, these remained remarkably planted during wet conditions.

Build Quality & Materials

Okay, this is where things get really good.

The build quality on the Premiere Packard is second to none. I’m not exaggerating. The ChromoSkin™ leather is soft but substantial, the stitching is flawless, and every detail feels intentional and premium.

Here’s what you’re getting:

• Full-grain ChromoSkin™ leather uppers
• Leather linings and premium finishing throughout
• Tour-proven outsole and spike system
• Waterproof construction with FootJoy’s warranty backing it up

These shoes are respected for a reason, and you can feel it the moment you pick them up.

Style & On-Course Aesthetic

This is a shoe for someone who appreciates a traditional look.

If your golf wardrobe includes brands like Holderness & Bourne or Peter Millar, these are going to fit right in. They pair beautifully with classic styles, tailored pants, and understated colors.

This isn’t a shoe trying to look modern. It’s a shoe that knows exactly what it is, and owns it.

What Other Shoes Should You Consider?

One of my all-time favorite golf shoes is the G/FORE Gallivanter, so naturally, I’m comparing everything to that.

Here’s how they stack up:

• The Gallivanters are more comfortable out of the box
• The Gallivanter nubbed insole is my personal preference, but the orthopedic insoles in the Premiere are wonderful as well.
• They run slightly narrower
• They feel like a more modern interpretation of a traditional style

From a pure performance standpoint, both are excellent. I still personally lean toward the G/FOREs, but that’s entirely about my style preferences, not because the FootJoys fall short in any meaningful way.

I’m also really curious to try Heathlander’s The Golf Shoe, which looks like another interesting take on this same category.

Are they Worth $245?

At $245, the Premiere shoes are expensive. There’s no getting around that.

That’s about $20 more than the standard Premiere models, but at this price point, that difference feels pretty negligible. My advice? Buy the style you like best. The performance and build quality are there either way.

Worth noting: you can find last year’s Premiere models for around $150 right now. If you want the Premiere experience without such a premium price tag, that’s a solid option.

Final Thoughts on the 2026 FootJoy Premiere Series

The FootJoy Premiere Packard is exactly what it sets out to be: a no-compromise, traditional, tour-level golf shoe with impeccable build quality and timeless style.

They’re not the most comfortable shoes out of the box, and they’re definitely not trying to be modern. But if you value craftsmanship, stability, and classic looks, this is one of the best options in golf.

If you’re the type of golfer who still appreciates tradition done right, the Packard deserves serious consideration.

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, we may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.

An iconic traditional golf shoe for a reason

9.0 Excellent

While they may take a few rounds to fully break in, there's a reason the FootJoy Premiere seres is one of the most famous, and iconic shoes in golf. They're excellent.

The Good

1. Iconic looks and style
2. New sole increases traction even further
3. Best in class build quality

The Bad

1. Expensive
2. Take a few rounds to break in

• Presentation (Looks) 10
• Performance 9
• Price 8
• Personal Affinity 9