When fans scroll through Paige Spiranac’s Instagram, they see confidence — a bright smile, stylish outfits, and the glamour that has made her one of golf’s most recognizable online personalities.
She’s redefined how many people view the sport, adding fun and accessibility to a game often seen as traditional and rigid. But behind the social media glow lies a history of personal battles with golf — a sport that once pushed her to the edge mentally.
Recently, Spiranac posted a heartfelt reel on Instagram. The words “You look happier” appeared on screen, to which she responded: “Thanks, I finally stopped beating myself up about not making it as a pro golfer.” Longtime followers already know her complicated “love-hate” relationship with golf, but this caption gave a deeper look into her struggles. From a young age, she dreamed of turning professional — and for a while, she did. But the pressure overwhelmed her, and eventually, she broke down. “I felt like a loser and a quitter at the time,” she admitted.
Growing up in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Paige was surrounded by high achievers. Her father was a college football player who won a national championship, her mother was a professional ballerina, and her sister earned a Stanford scholarship as an athlete. With such a background, Spiranac faced immense pressure to prove herself.
Her first dream was gymnastics, with hopes of competing in the Olympics. That ended at age 12 after two kneecap fractures. Switching to homeschooling due to bullying and anxiety, she discovered golf, which quickly became her new passion. She excelled, playing Division I golf at the University of Arizona and San Diego State University, where she helped secure a conference championship in 2015. After college, she briefly turned professional, competing on mini tours, picking up a win, and even making the cut at the Scottish Open. But despite flashes of success, the emotional toll became unbearable.
Spiranac has openly explained that golf triggered crippling anxiety. “I played junior golf, college golf, and a year professionally. After that, I mentally couldn’t handle playing anymore. I equated my score to my self-worth… competitive golf really beat me up emotionally.” The game she loved also made her feel worthless when she didn’t perform well.
Realizing the professional circuit wasn’t for her, Spiranac changed course. “I always knew I wasn’t cut out for professional sports and was able to find a path better suited for my personality,” she shared. That path was content creation, where she has thrived as a golf influencer and mental health advocate. She’s credited with boosting golf’s online reach, particularly for the LPGA Tour, and continues to speak openly about the pressures athletes face. “I love creating, the game of golf, and connecting with you all,” she tells her fans.
Her struggles inspired her to champion mental health awareness, especially in sports. In 2017, she became an ambassador for the Cybersmile Foundation, which combats online abuse. Beyond lending her name, she has worked directly with children, supported 24/7 counseling initiatives, and used her platform to spotlight resources for those dealing with harassment. Cybersmile’s co-founder, Dan Raisbeck, praised her resilience: “She has endured hatred and abuse aimed at herself and her family and has come through it all with determination to stay focused on her dreams — and she encourages others to do the same.”
From feeling like a failure on the golf course to becoming a voice for athletes’ mental health, Paige Spiranac has turned her most difficult battles into a powerful message of resilience and reinvention.
