'That kind of club head speed makes a huge difference to how far you hit the ball.

'We have been improving the shoes every year and I have been improving as well.

'My striking, the speed I swing the club - and club head speed have all increased. They've had a serious impact on my game.

'And they have also given me a lot of confidence.'

Harrington and coach Paul Hurrion first began tinkering with the idea of creating a whole new shoe four years ago. He set to work on developing the very first purpose built pair of golf shoes with HI-TEC. The result was soft spike shoes that improve balance, correct the foot action through the swing and, crucially, provide support and traction so players can swing harder and get more distance.

He said: 'Every other sportsman has proper footwear designed specifically to help them perform better yet golfers were wandering the course in shoes which were not much more than a pair of brogues.

'I wanted to wear a pair of shoes that would really help me play better.'

The end product - the HI-TEC CDT shoes - has given Harrington greater distance and more power. The 35-year-old also believes his shoes have played a big part in him becoming the king of Europe.

But the man with 13 titles to his name worldwide reckons time could be running out on the boost his HI-TEC shoes are giving him.

He said: 'Other manufacturers are trying to produce their own version - this game does not sit still.

'At the moment their improvements look to be purely cosmetic but I am quite sure they will try to catch up.'

Harrington hopes that will be enough time for him to land his first major - and his dream is to win the Masters. His best finish to date was tied fifth back in 2002.

'The Masters is the one I want the most,' he said. 'It is the toughest test of golf.

'Any major would be fantastic, but I'd love to win the Masters or The Open.

'Some great European golfers have won at Augusta like Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle.

'Those guys were like standard bearers for the European Tour - we need another European to win a major in America again.'

The CDT's are now the fastest selling golf shoe HI-TEC has ever produced. David Goulding, HI-TEC CEO Europe, said: 'Padraig is living proof these shoes work.

'He has put all his knowledge and experience into their design and we are constantly developing their technology, which is improving his performance.

'The CDT technology optimises all golfers stability and balance, which, in turn ensures more power, control and distance. Just ask Padraig.'