Introduction
From a young age, I was equally passionate about sports and art, two worlds that, for me, seemed always destined to intersect. I played collegiate lacrosse while majoring in art with a concentration in industrial design, constantly seeking ways to balance creativity with athletic performance.
Several times a week, after practice, a group of us would head straight to the golf course, often still in our lacrosse shorts. But we’d throw on a polo to maintain some semblance of style and etiquette. By then, I saw the potential for a career that blended my love for sport with the creative process.
My professional journey began as a footwear design intern at Reebok, just outside my hometown of Boston. During my interview, I claimed I’d been sketching shoes for as long as I could remember and proudly identified as a sneakerhead. While the latter was true, that first day on the job marked the very first time I actually sat down to draw a shoe. While my sketch did not make it into production, I’m pretty sure it’s still framed somewhere in my mother’s house.
That first internship laid the foundation for a career trajectory my younger sneakerhead self could have only dreamed of. From collaborating with world-class athletes during my time at Reebok and Under Armour to co-founding PAYNTR Golf, each step has deepened my commitment to designing performance-driven footwear.
At PAYNTR Golf, the opportunity to build something truly innovative, alongside an athlete as engaged and invested as Jason Day, has been uniquely fulfilling. What excites me most is that we’re still in the early chapters of our journey, yet since shipping our first product in 2021, PAYNTR Golf has already emerged as the fastest-growing brand in the golf footwear category.
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You wake up in the morning —what’s the driving passion?
When we started PAYNTR GOLF, we vowed to always give the consumer a competitive advantage. Didn’t matter if it was a shoe, hat, glove or even a sock, we were going to do it better. That’s what keeps us up at night and what we think about every morning.
How can we push the limits of performance through innovative design?
Whether it’s in materials, biomechanics, or the athlete’s experience, I’m driven by the idea of solving problems that improve how people play the game. That pursuit of better is what fuels me every day.
What makes PAYNTR Golf products stand apart from your competition?
We didn’t set out just to make golf shoes, but rather, engineer performance equipment from the ground up. Our designs are rooted in biomechanics and validated by science and user experience. We focus on how the golfer engages with the ground to generate power and
stability. That attention to function, paired with design intent and aesthetic restraint, is what sets us apart.
You serve as a co-founder and creative director for the company—what’s the proper balance in golf shoes between function and fashion?
The balance is critical. Functionality is a non-negotiable and really the foundation of what we do. Give the consumer a competitive advantage. But we also recognize that today’s golfer wants to look good while performing at their best.
Our philosophy is to let performance lead and let style follow with purpose. The design should always serve the athlete’s needs first, and if it looks clean, modern, and confident, that’s a win from both sides.
Who is your customer?
Our customer is a performance-minded golfer. They’re serious about their game and want products that help them improve, not just look the part. They understand that traction, stability, and comfort matter over 18 holes and beyond.
They could be elite players or weekend warriors, but they share a mindset: they’re always looking for an edge and PAYNTR Golf gives you that edge.
In designing golf shoes, how much of a difference do you seek in creating between traditional-looking shoes and those with more of an athletic appearance?
It depends on the context and the golfer. Some still value the classic, dress-inspired look, particularly in traditional club environments, which is the genesis of our Classic Collection with Jason Day. Others prefer a more athletic, sneaker-driven aesthetic that reflects how they dress off the course.
Our first models used that type of silo. We design across that spectrum, but we never chase trends. Whether classic or modern, our shoes must deliver performance first, but we certainly don’t forget about style. Look good, play good, right?
Is there a difference generally in how men and women approach golf shoe purchases?
Yes, and not just in fit and style preferences, but in the purchase journey. Women often look for versatility and comfort that they can trust without compromising aesthetics.
Men, traditionally, may focus more on performance metrics, but that’s changing. Overall, both segments expect innovation, and they want to feel confident and comfortable in their shoes.
There’s been a concern among many companies that work in golf about the recent push for tariffs and what that may cause to prices for a range of products. How do you see such situations playing out in the golf shoe category?
Tariffs create real challenges, particularly in a category where margins are tight and performance materials come at a premium.
We’re focused on controlling what we can, making smart supply chain decisions, and designing with efficiency in mind.
Transparency with our partners and customers is key. The goal is always to deliver value without compromising performance. It’s what we were founded on and that won’t ever change. We are a premium brand and we are proud of that.
Companies routinely tout the importance of customer service. Define the term and the approach PAYNTR follows.
Customer service, to us, means taking care of the golfer at every touchpoint. That includes how we communicate, how we listen, how we handle returns, and how we stand behind our product.
We don’t hide behind policy; we solve problems and build trust. Every interaction is an extension of our brand values. It’s easy to sell someone something once, getting them to trust us to come back again is the true challenge and it has been incredible to watch that happen.
Given your involvement in the creative area—how do you solicit customer feedback and what role does it play in your future design process?
Feedback is a critical loop in the design process. We gather insights from our community which includes top professional Tour players, amateurs, retail partners, and everyday golfers.
We look at product reviews, conduct field testing, and have direct conversations with players. It helps validate our ideas, but more importantly, it reveals blind spots. The best feedback often comes from listening with no agenda.
We are a young, nimble brand that can react much faster than our competition. It’s what really separates us and allows us to innovate at the rate we do.
Market awareness is central to any company’s success—what are some of the key elements you are watching for both short and long term?
Short term, we’re watching player expectations. How golfers want to blend on-course performance with on and off-course style.
We’re also tracking innovations in materials, sustainability, and biomechanics that can inform our next generation of products.
Long term, we’re focused on where the game is heading globally, how younger demographics engage with the sport, and what role technology and performance science will play in shaping the next chapter of golf footwear.
We are not reacting to trends and innovation, we are defining them.
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For more info go to:
payntrgolf.com
