The Todd Snyder x FootJoy Collection is Epic

To say FootJoy is on a roll is a bit of an understatement. In just the last few months, the brand has dropped four new shoes, including the stunning Premiere Series. Not to be outdone, the apparel side of the house is getting in on the act by launching a new collection with American menswear designer Todd Snyder that in a word is EPIC.

The Todd Snyder x FootJoy Collection shows us how the most iconic players in the game’s history may dress if they were strolling the fairways today. While rooted in vintage style, Snyder completely reinvented a golf wardrobe for the modern discerning player. In creating the collection, he put his own signature twist on polos, windbreakers, cardigans, shorts, joggers, caps, and golf shoes that complements FJ’s history of style, performance, quality, and innovation.

“I was looking in the FootJoy archives at pictures of Arnold Palmer and Chi-Chi Rodriguez, and recognized this moment before performance fabrics took over when players had this effortless cool aesthetic that felt very relevant to right now,” says Snyder.

I have to admit, this wasn’t a partnership I saw coming, but I’m stoked that it happened. Todd Snyder is one of my favorite menswear designers, who has a deep passion for brand authenticity and style. He has a strong history of collaborating with American heritage brands such as Red Wing, Timex, L.L. Bean, and Champion. It makes sense he would team up with FootJoy, another iconic American brand, to create a capsule that elevates FJ’s unique qualities through his signature aesthetic.

Over the past few years, FootJoy has evolved to appeal to a younger, hipper player through slimmer fits, more casual 5-pocket pants, on-trend prints, and sneaker-style kicks while still maintaining its classic golf aesthetic. Partnering with a top menswear designer further helps FJ to plant its flag in the green as not only a golf footwear, apparel, and accessories brand, but as a golf fashion brand. This collab is huge for the game of golf, too. While many golf labels have partnered to create some sick collections recently, very few have seen a renowned menswear designer taking on golf wear.

Snyder is no stranger to the game, though. Growing up, he was an athlete and lived across the street from the Ballard Country Club in Huxley, Iowa. As a boy, he was fond of sneaking on the course after hours and playing a few holes. Golf was also a way to spend quality time with family, further punctuating the emotion of nostalgia that runs throughout this collection.

Snyder reminisced, “When I was little, I caddied for my dad and my grandpa. I never had golf shoes until I was big enough to wear my dad’s, and he wore FootJoy. So, I associate them with family time and comfort. I still remember how comfortable my dad’s shoes were.”

Premiere Series Shoes FTW

Given his memories of FootJoy shoes, it is no surprise that FJ’s new Premiere Series shoes are the showcase pieces in the collection. I’m a sucker for a juxtaposition of styles and that is exactly what the FootJoy x Todd Snyder Premiere Series Shoe delivers. Snyder took the classic looks of an FJ saddle shoe and gave it a modern edge through a camo sole.

Based on FJ’s new Packard model, the shoes in this capsule are the perfect mashup of traditional good looks, modern tech, and contemporary patterns and colors. Available in two colorways (white pebble grain with either a navy blue or olive green quarter), these shoes come with special Todd Snyder and FJ packaging and a sweet camo shoe bag.

See also: FootJoy Premiere Series: First Impressions

Old-School Tipped Polos With Modern Twists

Complementing the subtle camo on the shoes are tipped polos in a solids and camo patterns. Again, Snyder successfully uses a juxtaposition of styles to blend retro and contemporary looks. Tipped polos were all the rage on fairways during the 1960s and receive a modern reboot here with the camo pattern, plus a state-of-the-art cotton pique and drirelease™ fabric.

A New Take on the Golf Jogger

Of course, a modern golf collection wouldn’t be considered very modern without a pair of joggers and Snyder totally reimagined the golf jogger for this capsule. These blue and black seersucker pants offer all the comfort of drawstring sweats with the sleek, modern lines of a dress trouser. They’re almost all cotton with just a hint of stretch. Perfect for those days when you’re trying to sneak in 9 holes before or after working from home.

Sophisticated Layers

With layering season upon us, the Todd Snyder x FootJoy Collection provides a variety of old-school and vintage-inspired options. The ¼-zip fleece offers an athletic, yet polished look that effortlessly moves from the course to post-round happy hours.

On the other hand, the sleeveless cardigans with tipping lean heavily into the iconic styles of the Golden Era of the game. Perfect for spring’s variable conditions, the cotton/cashmere blend combines warmth and breathability.

For warmer temps, Snyder gives us his take on the classic golf windbreaker with the Harrington Jacket. Done in a monochromatic blue seersucker, the Harrington is both sporty and sophisticated and will serve you well on and off the course.

Hats, Hats, and More Hats

There is no shortage of hats in this collection. Six different baseball-style caps are joined by four bucket versions. The grosgrain trim on the buckets is a result of the inspiration Snyder pulled from those vintage photos of Chi-Chi Rodriguez. Instead of a club insignia, each is adorned with the Todd Snyder logo paired with a vintage FootJoy mark.

Why This Collection Is a Must-Have

The Todd Snyder x FootJoy Collection is new, fresh, and hip while remaining true to FootJoy’s tradition. At a time when there is a lack of differentiation in the golf fashion landscape, seeing how a designer outside the golf industry reimagines golf apparel, footwear, and accessories is the jolt of energy the game needs.

Since launching his eponymous label in 2011, Todd Snyder has redefined how modern American men can present themselves to the world in stylish, unexpected ways. From luxurious takes on essential items to bespoke tailoring, Todd’s creations show that good style can be attainable and even playful.

Before launching his own label, Todd held leading roles at Polo Ralph Lauren, The Gap, and J.Crew. He has also been recognized twice by the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a Menswear Designer of the Year nominee and a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist.

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Snyder’s ethos comes through loud and clear in this collaboration with FootJoy. The collection is easy to wear from comfort and style standpoints. It uses a proprietary pique and a performance blend for polos. The monochromatic seersucker breaks away from its preppy past and shows up as a lightweight blue and black fabric in drawstring pants, shorts, and a windbreaker.

Look for the Todd Snyder x FootJoy Collection to be available on April 8th on footjoy.com. I suggest setting an alarm because this will sell out faster than a downhill left-to-right putt at Augusta. Also, be sure to check out Snyder’s menswear collections at his stores located at Madison Park and Tribeca in Manhattan and at toddsnyder.com.