Most golfers know the pain of wearing bulky, stiff golf shoes. They leave your feet hot, tired, or stiff. At the same time, many players prefer the comfort and style of their everyday sneakers. Bridging that gap seemed impossible until two friends decided to challenge the norm. They wanted to enjoy golf in comfort without sacrificing grip and performance.
Tyler Stuart and John Krosky understood this frustration. Their idea was simple: what if you could attach golf cleats to your regular shoes? This became Golfkicks, a traction kit that screws into any rubber-soled shoe. The goal was to add style, fun, and ease to golf without heavy financial cost.
This fresh and creative idea made them stand out when they entered the Shark Tank on Season 11. They asked for funding to help grow and took a big step forward when Shark Mark Cuban made an offer. They originally asked for $300,000 in exchange for 8% equity, valuing the company at $3.75 million. Their story shows how solving a small but real problem can launch a big idea.
Golf Kicks Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Tyler and John were looking for an investment of $300k in exchange for 8% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $3.75 million. Tyler and John successfully secured a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment of $300k for 12% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $2.5 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Golfkicks is around $4.5 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daymond John
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
$300,000 loan at 8% interest + $1/unit royalty until loan is repaid + 5% equity$300,000 loan at 8% interest + $2/unit royalty until loan is repaid + 5% equity
N/A
No
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Matt Higgins
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
$300,000 for 15% equity$300,000 for 13% equity
$300,000 for 12% equity
Yes
Tyler Stuart and John Krosky Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Tyler, John, and their third friend Matt Mockus all share a love for golf and a tech background. In 2018, they sketched out Golfkicks on a napkin. They built a prototype that allowed users to drill holes into their sneakers and insert screw-in cleats. Their first versions had flaws, but they evolved through customer feedback. By their appearance on Shark Tank, they were on at least their third iteration, moving toward a polished fifth version soon after.
They launched via Kickstarter in 2019, raising over $15,000, followed by an IndieGoGo campaign. They later secured $550,000 in seed funding between 2018 and 2020, and an additional $131,000 through Republic crowdfunding in 2021. Their pitch highlighted key numbers: $120,000 in three months, profitability by year-end, and patent-pending status.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
In the Tank, each Shark’s question tested the founders deeply.
Mark Cuban asked if the kit sold out and why customers loved it. Tyler explained that comfort and customization were the main draws . Mark later asked what they needed beyond the money. Tyler said they needed mentorship and help with big-box retail distribution .
Lori Greiner, a golfer herself, asked about drilling a hole into the shoe. Tyler explained how they designed the kit to work with rubber soles and that they had provisional patents in 2018 and 2019 . Lori countered with a loan proposal, interest, royalties, and equity, then increased royalties as she negotiated.
Kevin O’Leary focused on distribution challenges and valuation issues. Tyler explained their Amazon and retail plans. But Kevin still thought they lacked the business infrastructure and clarity .
Daymond John and Matt Higgins left because they didn’t golf and couldn’t relate to the product .
As negotiations progressed, Tyler asked Mark to soften his terms from 15% to 12–13% equity . Mark agreed to 13% and they shook hands on a $300,000 deal.
Product Availability
Golfkicks sells a comprehensive traction kit called Golfkicks V5. The kit includes 20 TPE soft spikes, a hex tool, a drill bit, a Sharpie, and “Shoe Goo” adhesive .
The company sells the kits on their official website, Amazon, and through select retailers, including PGA Tour shops and Scheels . Prices range from $32.99 on their site to $34.99 on Amazon. Production cost is about $8, leaving margins over 50% .
Beyond golf, they launched Yardkicks, a similar traction system for sports like baseball, football, and ultimate frisbee . They also carry apparel like hoodies and socks, selling through their own site and partner stores globally.
What Happened To The Golf Kicks After Shark Tank?
The Mark Cuban deal originally fell through due to legal hurdles, but the exposure launched a major sales boost. In the 24 hours after airing, they made as much as a month’s worth of sales .
Sales grew from $900,000 the year after the appearance to $1.2 million in 2021, and roughly $1.5 million from golf alone by mid‑2022 .
By 2023, revenue reached around $4 million annually . Their valuation climbed to $4.5 million by mid‑2023, and they raised an additional $100,000 that March after prior crowdfunding successes .
Golfkicks moved into international markets, including Japan, Europe, and South Korea, with boutique retail partners and a global Amazon presence . Their manufacturing runs through Pride Sports in China and U.S.-based fulfillment centers in Denver and Aurora, Colorado .
They’ve earned a patent and continue to iterate on product versions. They are now pushing marketing into youth sports and exploring expansion into retail displays in pro shops and big-box stores . Their plan is to eventually sell the brand for an eight-figure exit, someday .
Conclusion
Golfkicks started from a simple idea: let golfers wear stylish sneakers with proper traction. Tyler and John turned this idea into a real product: a DIY cleat kit. Their Shark Tank appearance revealed strong early sales and a clever pitch, leading to a deal with Mark Cuban,though that deal didn’t close due to legal issues.
Even without finalizing Shark funding, Golfkicks rode the wave of exposure into strong growth. From hundreds of thousands to a multi-million dollar annual business, they expanded product lines, earned a patent, and reached international markets. Their close relationship with Mark Cuban continues, offering mentorship and credibility even without a formal deal.
Golfkicks proves that a well-targeted solution, good branding, and smart exposure can turn a backyard idea into a meaningful business. Their journey shows that ironing out logistics and having real-world sales matter more than any Shark handshake.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
