If you've watched Garrett Clark launch one of his signature bombs down the fairway, you might have looked down at his feet and wondered what he's wearing. It isn't just about style, his footwear is an intentional part of his powerful, athletic swing. This article will tell you exactly what golf shoes Garrett Clark uses and, more importantly, explore the reasons behind his choice so you can find the perfect pair for your own game.
Spilling the Beans: What Shoes Does Garrett Clark Actually Wear?
Let's get right to it. The vast majority of the time, Garrett Clark wears his own brand of golf shoes: G-ROK. Specifically, you'll see him sporting the flagship model, the G-ROK ONE.
This isn't a simple sponsorship deal where a big company pays him to wear their shoes. Garrett was deeply involved in the design and development of G-ROK, creating a shoe that represents everything he wants in golf footwear. He isn't just wearing these for the camera, he helped build them from the ground up to fit his game perfectly.
The G-ROK ONE has a distinct "street-style" or "skater shoe" look, moving away from the traditional, classic golf shoe design. It's a modern, spikeless shoe built with an emphasis on three main pillars: comfort, style, and performance. This choice reflects a larger trend in golf, championed by Garrett and the Good Good crew, which centers on a more athletic, casual, and accessible approach to the game.
Why a Spikeless, "Street-Style" Shoe? The Performance Angle
As a golf coach, the first thing I notice about a player's equipment is how it supports their swing. Footwear is the foundation. It’s your only connection to the ground, which is the source of all your power. Garrett’s choice of a spikeless, comfortable shoe isn’t just a fashion statement, it’s a performance decision that supports his rotational, ground-up power.
Comfort and "Ground Feel" are King
Walking 18 holes can be a 4-5 mile journey, often over uneven terrain. If your feet are hurting by the 6th hole, your body will subconsciously make compensations in your swing. You might get tense, stop rotating fully, or lose your balance. It all traces back to your feet.
Modern spikeless shoes like the G-ROK ONE are engineered for all-day comfort. They feel more like a premium pair of sneakers than a rigid piece of equipment. This "sneaker-like" feel also has a direct performance benefit: ground feel. A more flexible sole allows you to feel the subtle slopes and textures of your stance. This heightened awareness helps you find solid footing and better balance, which is the platform for a powerful and consistent golf swing.
Think about the basics of a good swing: you rotate back, staying balanced within a stable base, and then unwind an enormous amount of force through the ball. To do that effectively, you need to be able to use the ground for leverage. A shoe that lets you feel that ground gives you a significant advantage in generating that rotational power.
Ultimate Versatility
The practical benefit of spikeless golf shoes cannot be overstated. You can put them on at home, drive to the course, play your round, hang out in the clubhouse, and drive home without ever changing your footwear. This convenience factor perfectly aligns with the more relaxed, modern atmosphere of the sport. It removes one more barrier, making the game simpler and more enjoyable. Garrett’s style is all about seamlessly blending golf with daily life, and this type of footwear is a perfect extension of that philosophy.
Stability? Yes, Modern Spikeless Shoes Deliver
A common question is whether spikeless shoes provide enough grip. Years ago, this was a legitimate concern. However, modern spikeless traction technology is incredibly advanced. Brands use sophisticated patterns of small rubber lugs, nubs, and ridges that are computer-designed to provide grip in multiple directions throughout the swing.
For the vast majority of playing conditions - from damp morning grass to hard, dry summer fairways - modern spikeless shoes offer more than enough stability for a golfer with decent balance. Garrett Clark generates immense clubhead speed, and if his spikeless shoes can support that level of force without slipping, they are certainly robust enough for the average golfer's game.
Finding Your Perfect Pair: Lessons from Garrett's Footwear Choice
Seeing what Garrett wears is interesting, but the real takeaway is understanding *why* he wears it. You don't have to go out and buy G-ROKs (though they are an excellent option!). Instead, use the principles behind his choice to find the best shoe for you.
Prioritize Comfort and Fit Above All Else
This is the most important lesson. Before thinking about spikes, style, or brand, find a shoe that is genuinely comfortable and fits your foot perfectly. As laid out in the fundamentals of proper golf setup, you need to stand over the ball leaned over from the hips, with your weight balanced, in an athletic position. If your shoes are pinching, too tight, or too loose, that stable foundation is instantly compromised.
A poor fit can ruin your balance and stop you from making a full, free-flowing turn. The body is smart, if it senses instability in its base, it will limit its own rotation to protect itself. Therefore, a comfortable, well-fitting shoe is a direct investment in better ball-striking.
Spikeless vs. Spiked: What's Right for You?
Garrett's choice is clear, but is it right for everyone? Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
- Consider going spikeless if:
- You prioritize comfort and want a shoe that feels like a sneaker.
- You play most of your golf in dry or damp (not waterlogged) conditions.
- You value versatility and want to wear your shoes to and from the course.
- You have a smooth, balanced golf swing and don’t rely on extreme twisting forces.
- Consider traditional spiked shoes if:
- You frequently play in very wet, muddy, or hilly Llocations where maximum grip is essential.
- You have a very aggressive swing with a lot of lateral movement and need absolute torsional stability.
- You prefer the traditional look of a classic golf shoe and don't mind changing shoes at the clubhouse.
Don't Underestimate Your Connection to the Ground
Your feet are packed with nerve endings that provide constant feedback to your brain about balance, pressure, and positioning. A good golf shoe doesn't mute this feedback, it enhances it. A proper downswing starts with a subtle forward weight shift to initiate the unwinding of the body. You need to be able to feel this shift to time it correctly. A responsive shoe lets you feel that pressure move from the inside of your trail foot to your lead foot.
By choosing a shoe that promotes ground feel, you're better able to engage the big muscles - your glutes, quads, and core - that drive the golf swing. This is how players like Garrett create seemingly effortless power. They are using their entire body efficiently, and it all starts with that connection at their feet.
What About Before G-ROK? A Look Back
Long-time GM Golf followers will know that Garrett's preference for this style of footwear isn't new. Before launching his own brand, he was often seen wearing spikeless models from other popular brands. A notable choice was Cuater (by TravisMathew), which also specializes in comfortable, stylish, spikeless golf shoes with an athletic look.
His history confirms a consistent preference. He has always gravitated towards shoes that deliver sneaker-like comfort and a skateboard-inspired aesthetic. The creation of G-ROK wasn't a sudden departure, it was the ultimate evolution of his long-held belief in what a golf shoe should be. He wanted to perfect the formula he already knew worked for his game and style.
Final Thoughts
In short, Garrett Clark puts his trust in his own signature G-ROK ONE spikeless shoes. His choice is driven by a modern philosophy that prioritizes comfort, a versatile street style, and a strong connection to the ground to support his powerful, rotational swing. For the everyday golfer, the lesson is clear: your footwear is a critical piece of performance equipment, and finding a pair that offers a comfortable, stable base is fundamental to playing your best.
Getting the right shoes is a great first step, and pairing that solid foundation with smart, on-course strategy is how you truly improve. Knowing how to play a tough lie from the rough or navigating the strategy of a new hole often comes down to experience, and that's where we wanted to give every golfer a helping hand. To help take the guesswork out of your game, we created Caddie AI. You can use it to get instant advice on club selection, strategy for any hole, or even snap a picture of a tricky lie to get an expert opinion on the best way to play the shot. It's like having a 24/7 golf coach in your pocket, ready to help you play with more confidence from any situation on the course.