The Gift That Changed Everything
Zach Schradermeier was about nine years old when his uncle Scott handed him his first set of clubs.
What started as backyard swings with Wiffle balls quickly turned into range sessions, then afternoons at Eaton Canyon — a nine-hole course tucked into the foothills of Pasadena. From there, the obsession took hold.
“I’d ride my bike to the course and stay out there from sunup to sundown,” Zach says. “I couldn’t get enough.”
Uncle Scott saw something in him early. A former collegiate golfer at New Mexico State and now a fixture in Southern California’s PGA events, he pushed Zach to learn the right way and not just how to swing, but how to carry yourself.
“He always said, never play for more than you have,” Zach recalls. “He got me into betting games with the guys early, taught me how to be a gentleman on and off the course. That stuck.”
The Moment He Knew
Like most young golfers, Zach had his ups and downs. But there was one breakthrough that changed his mindset completely: qualifying for the Toyota Tour Cup through the SCPGA Junior Tour.
“That was the moment,” he says. “It gave me belief. I remember thinking, ‘You know what? Be proud of yourself for once.’ It kind of launched everything.”
From there, things snowballed. More tournaments. Bigger events. More confidence.
He still remembers a high school match where he casually shot a 29 on a par-35. “I didn’t even realize what I was doing. I was just out there playing. A parent came up after and said, ‘Do you know what you just shot?’ I didn’t. That one stuck.”
Style, Strength, and the Short Game Grind
Zach describes himself as a “scrambling” player: one who thrives when things aren’t perfect. If the tee game’s on, he’s steady and strategic. If not? He gets creative.
“It depends on the day,” he laughs. “If I’m hitting it well, it’s boring golf. If I’m not, I’m scrambling for everything. I kind of love that challenge.”
These days, work makes it harder to spend full days at the course. But Zach still finds time to train. A putting mat in the garage. A small chipping setup in the yard. Enough to keep the feel sharp. And when he does get out to play, the focus is on irons, wedges, and putting.
“Short game is everything. If I can keep that dialed, I’m good.”
His favorite course? The Farms Golf Club in San Diego, where his uncle now serves as membership director. Private, exclusive, and pure — it’s where Zach feels most at home.
The Shoe That Changed the Walk
Before SQAIRZ, Zach wore what most golfers wear: FootJoy, Adidas, whatever looked clean and had a name. But when he stepped into SQAIRZ for the first time — during a shoot at Black Gold Golf Club… everything changed.
“I was hesitant,” he admits. “That roomier toe box? It’s different. But after trying them, I was blown away. They were just… stable.”
That stability turned out to be a game-changer.
“I swing hard. I need a base I can trust. And SQAIRZ gave me that. But what really surprised me was how I felt after the round. No soreness. No fatigue in the feet. I’d never had that before.”
It wasn’t just comfort, though. Zach noticed real performance changes, too.
“My alignment got better, especially in putting. Straight lines are easier to see and trust with the square toe. And I don’t slip anymore, even in wet grass. That used to be an issue. Not anymore.”
Today, his go-to is the all-white SQAIRZ ProS2 LT, a shoe built for performance without sacrificing comfort.
Perspective for the Next Generation
Zach’s advice to the average golfer trying to get better? Look down.
“If your gear helps your alignment or balance, don’t ignore it. People underestimate how much your shoes matter. The more connected you are to the ground, the more confidence you’ll have over every shot.”
And for the beginner who’s struggling or frustrated?
“Just know there’s always tomorrow. That’s something I wish I’d understood earlier. Golf is 70% mental. You’re gonna have bad rounds. But you’ve gotta let yourself enjoy the process. Love yourself even when you’re grinding.”
Still Chasing It
These days, Zach’s love for the game hasn’t faded. Whether he’s at home sharpening his short game or teeing it up with friends, the pursuit is still alive.
“You’re never going to master golf. Nobody ever has. That’s what makes it beautiful.”
For Zach Schradermeier, it all comes back to the feeling that started in a backyard in Laguna and the drive that still pushes him forward.
At SQAIRZ, we’re proud to walk alongside players like Zach — athletes who chase the game not for perfection, but for passion.