Paige Spiranac’s rise to fame on social media might seem effortless now, but there was a time when she was too shy to post anything online.
Looking at her Instagram today, you’d never guess that she once struggled with self-doubt and harassment.
But that’s exactly what Paige overcame to become the influential figure she is today in the world of golf and beyond.
Overcoming Harassment and Gaining Confidence
Before Paige became known for her playful golf content and bold outfits, she experienced severe bullying.
During her time at San Diego State University, she was stalked and harassed by a group of fellow female students.
The constant torment led her to completely disappear from social media for a while.
In a candid interview with DailyMail.com, Paige recalled how this experience pushed her to remove all traces of herself from the internet.
“After that experience, I deleted all my social media,” she said.
“I finally got it back in my senior year and told myself, ‘I’m only going to post golf videos,’ because who can make fun of a golf video?” Turns out, quite a few people could, but this is where her journey truly began.
A Golf Career Turns Into a Social Media Sensation
From those early posts, Paige’s presence on social media exploded.
What started as sharing golf videos for fun transformed into a massive following.
Since graduating in 2015, Paige’s social media reach has skyrocketed—she now has 4 million Instagram followers, almost 500,000 YouTube subscribers, and millions more across platforms like TikTok and X. Her audience even rivals some of golf’s biggest names like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler.
Her online success hasn’t just been about posting fun content.
Paige has also collaborated with some of the biggest stars in golf, including two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau and the influential YouTube golf group, Good Good.
A New Role in the World of Golf Commentary
Paige’s career is continuing to evolve in exciting ways.
This week, she steps into the role of golf commentator on Netflix’s “Full Swing” docuseries, giving her the opportunity to share her insights and analysis with an even larger audience.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared how she never saw this kind of career path coming.
“I started doing this 10 years ago, and it wasn’t a career path. I really had to figure it out,” Paige admitted.
Despite challenges along the way, she’s now proud to be one of the pioneers of this new age of golf media.
The Challenges of Being a Trailblazer
However, Paige’s path to success has not been without its struggles.
Early in her career, her choice to wear revealing outfits while playing led to a wave of criticism.
he most notable instance came when she received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2015 Dubai Masters, an event where she was met with not just criticism but also death threats and harassment.
“I grew up playing on public golf courses, and guys were wearing cut-off jean shorts and tank tops while I wore athletic wear,” she said, reflecting on how her style shocked the more traditional golf community.
“When I started posting in tank tops and leggings, it blew people’s minds in golf.”
Despite the backlash, Paige never considered changing her wardrobe.
Instead, she continued to showcase the fun and accessible side of golf, something she believes is important as the sport tries to shake off its stuffy reputation.
Influencers Are Shaping Golf’s Future
With golf’s identity still in flux and tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Tour still high, influencers like Paige are playing a crucial role in connecting the sport with a younger, more engaged audience.
For example, Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube videos have attracted millions of views, far outpacing the viewership of his LIV tournaments.
Even groups like Good Good, who post golf challenges on YouTube, have garnered massive followings.
For the traditional golf world, the need to embrace content creators is becoming more evident.
The PGA Tour is beginning to recognize this, with legends like McIlroy, Woods, and Phil Mickelson now engaging more with online platforms.
But can YouTube golf truly rival the mainstream tours? Paige thinks both can thrive together, as long as the focus remains on growing the sport.
Golf Needs More Personalities to Connect with Fans
Paige also thinks golf needs more players to open up and show their personalities to build stronger connections with fans.
Unlike team sports, where people bond over their loyalty to a team, golf fans need to connect with the players themselves.
But many professional golfers remain reserved about sharing their lives online, and Paige understands the challenges they face.
“It’s a mental game, and the criticism on top of it is really difficult,” she explained.
Is Paige the Future of Golf?
Paige’s rise to prominence has shown that there’s a new way forward for golf—one that blends athleticism, entertainment, and personal connection.
Although Paige’s career in competitive golf may be behind her, she’s undoubtedly shaping the future of the sport, both in terms of media and culture.
With her ability to connect with audiences, Paige is positioning herself as a potential leader in golf’s evolving landscape.
If college bullies couldn’t stop her, it’s clear the traditional golf world is in for a challenge.
Paige Spiranac is here to stay, and she’s leading the charge into a new era of golf.