Paige Spiranac Reveals ‘Traumatic’ Golf Experience That Still Haunts Her on the Course

Paige Spiranac may be one of golf’s most recognizable personalities, but even she isn’t immune to the mental struggles that can come with the game.

Known for sharing golf tips, entertaining content, and glimpses into her life with millions of followers, Spiranac recently opened up about a frightening experience on the golf course that left a lasting impact on her confidence.

Speaking candidly on her YouTube channel, the former professional golfer described a recent round at Highlands Ranch that quickly turned from promising to frustrating.

“I had a really traumatic experience on the golf course recently, which actually stemmed this entire video idea,” Spiranac said.

According to Spiranac, the round began well enough. She hit a strong drive on the opening hole and felt comfortable over the ball. Moments later, however, things unraveled.

“Shanked my pitching wedge. Then made bogey,” she recalled.

What initially seemed like a single bad shot quickly became a recurring problem. On the very next hole, the struggles intensified.

“Shanked my driver, OB. Shanked another driver, hit an okay 3-wood. Then I shanked another shot.”

The most frustrating part was not understanding why it was happening. At first, Spiranac believed she was striking the ball off the hosel. After reviewing the issue more closely, she realized the contact was actually occurring extremely far toward the toe of the clubface.

The experience left a deeper mark than just a few poor swings.

“I still have a little bit of like PTSD from hitting that shot, especially with my wedges,” she admitted.

Even now, she says the memory resurfaces whenever she stands over certain shots.

“I just didn’t feel comfortable there because I still have that memory really ingrained in my body.”

While acknowledging that golf-related struggles are different from serious life challenges, Spiranac explained that the uncertainty surrounding the issue made the experience particularly unsettling.

“It’s scary when you hit a shot like that and you’re on the golf course and you don’t know why.”

Her recent comments are consistent with previous discussions about the mental challenges she faced during her competitive golf career.

Spiranac turned professional in 2015 but stepped away from professional competition after the 2016 season. Over the years, she has spoken openly about the psychological pressure she experienced while competing at a high level.

During a 2023 podcast appearance, she revealed how scorekeeping itself became a source of anxiety.

“I was in a really weird headspace where if someone whipped out a scorecard and started to write down my score, I would have a panic attack,” she said.

Reflecting on her years in junior golf, college golf, and professional competition, Spiranac described the experience as mentally and physically exhausting.

“The mental toll was significant. Playing competitively was a grind.”

She has also discussed battling the “yips” during her professional career. In 2022, she explained that one particular miss became so deeply ingrained in her mind that it still affects her today.

“When I was playing professionally, I had the yips, and mine was always this big left shot. I have almost like PTSD when it comes to seeing that shot shape.”

Despite those struggles, Spiranac has successfully built a new career in the sport through content creation, becoming one of golf’s most influential media personalities.

She has often described her relationship with golf as complicated—a mix of passion, frustration, and appreciation for what the game has given her.

Today, while she may no longer compete professionally, her willingness to discuss the mental side of golf continues to resonate with players of all skill levels. Her story serves as a reminder that confidence can be fragile in a sport where even the smallest mistake can linger long after the round is over.

For many golfers, from touring professionals to weekend amateurs, the battle is often just as mental as it is physical—and Paige Spiranac’s latest revelation shows she’s no exception.