Grace Charis’s journey into the world of golf was anything but conventional.
Originally preparing for a promising college rowing career, her athletic aspirations were abruptly halted when COVID-19 struck.
With her rowing season canceled, Charis found herself searching for a new outlet. Encouraged by friends, she turned to golf — a decision that would change her life.
“I was in this really good, athletic space,” Charis recalls.
“When rowing ended, I thought, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’”
With the support of friends who played golf, she started visiting the driving range, gradually finding her rhythm in the sport.
Building an Online Presence
While golf was initially just a casual pursuit, Charis soon realized her social media presence was taking off.
Posting golf-related content quickly gained her a dedicated following.
“It was like a chain reaction,” Charis explains.
“One post would blow up, then another, and another. It was exciting — almost addictive — to watch the numbers climb.”
Despite joining the social media golf scene later than figures like Paige Spiranac, Charis managed to carve out her own space.
Her engaging content and dedication to improving her game helped her amass millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Moving Beyond Comparisons
With her rising fame, Charis frequently faced comparisons to Paige Spiranac, known for combining golf with bold fashion choices.
However, Charis distances herself from these comparisons.
“I get compared to her a lot,” Charis says, “but I honestly don’t know much about her content. It doesn’t show up on my feed.”
Instead, Charis is focused on her personal growth in the sport.
Her content has shifted from risqué posts to more golf-focused videos, reflecting her deeper commitment to improving her skills.
Facing Criticism and Overcoming Challenges
Navigating the golf community hasn’t always been easy.
With the sport’s traditional culture resistant to unconventional figures, Charis has encountered criticism.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” she admits.
“I’m having fun, doing what I love, and just enjoying the game.” Learning to ignore negative comments was crucial for her.
“In the beginning, playing golf on camera was tough because you don’t want to show your bad shots,” Charis adds.
“But I realized it’s important to share those moments too. Bad rounds happen, but they’re part of the journey.”
Embracing Golf’s Growing Popularity
Charis acknowledges that some viewers may follow her for reasons beyond her golf skills, but she believes this still benefits the sport.
“Even if they’re not there for the golf itself, they’re still being introduced to it,” she says.
“At the end of the day, the sport is gaining exposure — and that’s what matters.”
Despite golf legend Rory McIlroy’s recent criticism of YouTube golfers as “entertainment adjacent,” Charis believes online content is valuable for newcomers.
“For people like me who didn’t have access to great coaches at first, YouTube became an amazing resource,” she explains.
“It makes learning the game more accessible.”
Looking to the Future
With her social media career thriving, Charis continues to challenge herself both online and on the course.
Upcoming events like the US Open qualifier and the Texas Amateur are among her competitive goals.
Beyond tournaments, she’s also preparing to launch her own apparel brand — a project she’s passionate about.
“It’s exciting to create something that reflects my love for the game,” Charis says.
“Encouraging others to join the sport is a big part of what I want to achieve.”
As her journey unfolds, Charis remains committed to sharing her passion for golf — one post, one round, and one swing at a time.