From Pinehurst Roots to PGA Tour Winner
Leonard Thompson’s story starts in Laurinburg, North Carolina—just 30 minutes down the road from Pinehurst. Like many, he was introduced to golf by his father, and got his first real set of clubs at age 10.
That simple beginning turned into a decades-long career, with 3 PGA Tour wins and 7 victories on the Champions Tour, cementing Leonard Thompson’s place in golf history. His first win came at the 1974 Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic.
“Winning validated everything. It told me I was good enough to be out there.”
Leonard played college golf at Wake Forest and went on to compete at the highest level for over 40 years before retiring from professional golf. Today, he’s still on the course—competing when he wants, coaching when he can, and staying close to a sport that shaped his life.
SQAIRZ: From Skeptic to Believer
Leonard first discovered SQAIRZ after seeing a commercial featuring Sir Nick Faldo.
“I told my friends, that sounded like the biggest exaggeration I’d ever heard.” He had worn the same brand of golf shoes for over 40 years and never had a reason to switch. But something about the message stuck—and eventually, he decided to give them a shot.
“I haven’t worn anything else since.”
What Changed? Comfort and Stability
For Leonard, the biggest difference wasn’t in his scorecard, it was how he felt after the round.
“When I finish playing, my feet feel better. That’s not something I could always say before.”
He has naturally outward-facing feet, which made traditional golf shoes uncomfortable and restrictive. With SQAIRZ, he finally felt like his feet could move and settle naturally—without the usual pinch or fatigue.
“The roomier base gives me more surface area on the ground. That means better balance and more comfort, especially by the end of the round.”
The LT Series: Personal Favorite (and Possibly Named After Him)
Among the multiple pairs he owns, Leonard’s current favorite is the new LT Series.
“I tell people the LT stands for Leonard Thompson. I mean, technically it means ‘lightweight,’ but…”
The LT Series is our lightest performance line ever—coming in under 424 grams—but still built with the same structure, stability, and ground connection that made SQAIRZ different in the first place. It took years of development to get the weight down without cutting corners. No soft, unstable foam. No flimsy uppers. Just smarter engineering, strategic material choices, and maximized performance in a lighter build.
It’s lightweight done right—and Leonard can feel the difference.
Golf Shoes: The Most Overlooked Piece of Equipment
Leonard has seen golfers spend thousands on drivers, irons, and balls—only to keep playing in worn-out, decade-old shoes.
“The first thing you do in golf is stand up. That’s your foundation. But most players don’t think about it.”
He’s quick to point out that your feet and your hands are your only points of contact in golf. And while most players obsess over their grip or shaft flex, few give their footing the attention it deserves.
“You’ve got to take your connection to the ground seriously. Your shoes matter more than people think.”
Leonard’s not chasing the next swing hack or club release—he’s seen enough of those come and go. Shoes might not be the flashiest part of your game, but they’re the one thing working every single step. And if they’re holding you back, no amount of gear can make up for it.
Advice From a Lifelong Competitor
Leonard’s advice to new golfers or those looking to improve is simple and honest:
“Ask yourself: how good do you want to be?”
Improvement takes time—and effort. Leonard believes showing up early, warming up properly, and treating the game with respect makes it more enjoyable and more rewarding.
“You don’t get better at anything unless you put in the time. Golf’s no different.”
Leonard Thompson trusts SQAIRZ on some of the most prestigious courses in the world. With our shoes underfoot and decades of experience behind every swing, he’s proving that comfort, performance, and experience make a powerful combination.