Lubrizol Advanced Material Science Revolutionizes Golf Shoes

Recreation
June/July 2021

Designed with the needs of experienced and professional players in mind, The Premiere Series by FootJoy features ESTANE® TRX TPU polymers from Lubrizol offering superior traction on wet and dry surfaces. ESTANE TRX TPU’s design flexibility helps ensure the successful molding of FootJoy’s (FJ) patented anti-channeling tread pattern VersaTrax+, engineered to provide total traction coverage for any angle, reducing slippage.

The VersaTrax+ outsole technology, first introduced in FJ Stratos™ spikeless golf shoe in the fall of 2020, uses multiple ESTANE TPU compounds to grip any surface – a harder TPU for better on-course grip and a softer TPU for traction on hard surfaces. VersaTrax+ provides the Premiere Series modern performance innovation, while staying true to its design.

“The VersaTrax+ outsole in the Premiere Series, made with Lubrizol ESTANE TPU solutions, is a premiere technology using our premiere material for a premiere line of shoes,” said Kenneth Kim, footwear market development manager, Lubrizol. “This new line is a nod to traditional golf designs blended with innovative technology to deliver performance and style for the experienced golfer.”



“We saw a terrific opportunity to completely reinvent the classically inspired golf shoe from the ground up,” said Chris Tobias, vice president, FJ Footwear. “And to accomplish that, we leveraged every ounce of innovation, as well as direct input from the world’s best players, to deliver next-level performance with a distinctly modern take on classic design.”

Lubrizol invented thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymers more than 60 years ago and continues to deliver solutions to a wide range of industries from performance footwear and apparel to surface protection, consumer electronics, transportation, industrial specialties, bonding solutions and more. The customizable properties of TPU allow manufacturers to create smarter, helping reduce waste in manufacturing and providing durable, long-lasting, recyclable solutions that can help differentiate their products from others in the market. www.lubrizol.com.

Images are property of Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.