FootJoy fans will remember that the HyperFlex's distinctive FlexGrid was inspired by a Boston bridge.
That shoe marked a departure from traditional FootJoy styling so it's no surprise that their latest product, the FJ Freestyle, which the company say is a new category of golf shoe, has similarly left field origins.
In this case it's Agalychnis Callidryas, or the Red-Eyed Tree Frog to you and me. One look at the feet of this Central American amphibian will leave you in no doubt what got FootJoy's designers excited.
Spending its days sleeping on the underside of leaves thanks to large webbed orange feet and sticky padded toes it's clear this little creature is an expert in grip and FootJoy has clearly taken this on board.
The FreeStyle shoe boasts a high-traction outsole that uses F.R.O.G.S. Technology (see what they've done there?!) which stands for FJ's Revolutionary Outsole Grip System.
F.R.O.G.S. is made up of a super-flexible SoftMax transluent outsole that gives a softer feel to the shoe as well as extra grip from its traction elements which increase ground contact points throughout the swing.
The midsole is made from the latest formulation of FJ's FineTunedFoam which reaches its third generation as FTF 3.0 in the FreeStyle, having first been seen in the DryJoys Casual and FTF 2.0 appearing in the HyperFlex.
F.R.O.G.S. is completed by the combination of SoftSpike's Tour Lock system and new translucent Pulsar cleats that give exceptional grip with a dynamic flex.
Exceptional grip is essential for the FreeStyle as the shoe is designed to provide greater freedom of movement to players throughout the swing. This freedom of movement allows players to generate maximum power and FJ testing has shown this is applicable to a wide range of golfers.
To that end the new FTF 3.0 compound and design allows for greater torsional flexibility in the shoe allowing the sole to flex and twist as you swing and this freedom of movement is further enhanced by the shoe not having an internal shank.
Richard Fryer, FJ Sales and Marketing Director explains:
FreeStyle is arguably FootJoy's most imaginative and distinctive shoe ever and will particularly help golfers who would benefit from increased freedom of movement when swinging the golf club.
Research has proven that dynamic traction can be beneficial to players regardless of age, ability of speed of swing. Our R&D team has thought even further outside the box and, by drawing inspiration from a Tree Frog, they have created a shoe unlike anything else on the market.
The FreeStyle shoes incorporate an eye catching upper that has a 1 year waterproof warranty and the foot comfort and stability is enhanced by FootJoy's InnerSok Fit System which uses TongueLok and HeelLok mechanisms to hold the foot securely in place.
The FJ FreeStyle comes in five striking colour combinations of Navy/Orange/Lime, White/Grey/Charcoal, Black/White/Grey, Grey/Green/Navy, and Grey/Navy/Berry. The final colour combination is also available with the L4 BOA lacing system to provide an even more precise fit.