Grace Charis has built a massive following on social media, but she knows many people aren't tuning in for her swing mechanics.
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(Grace Charis/X)
With millions of followers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, the 23-year-old California native has become a prominent figure in golf's influencer space. Of course, that might be more for her revealing outfits than her scorecards. But Charis insists that's changing.
"I see the hate comments, people block me and it makes me really sad," she told Yahoo Sports. "It upsets me more when they're talking about my golf. 'She's just a pretty body, nobody cares.' You can't really hate someone who's trying to get better. So, I guess how I deal with the hate is to get better, so I take all my rage out on the range."
Charis, a former competitive rower, picked up golf during the COVID-19 pandemic as something to do. What began as content creation and brand building has evolved into a more serious pursuit of the game. Over the last 18 months, she has committed to structured coaching, practices four to five times per week, and now plays to a single-figure handicap.
"I'm trying to get better and better because a lot of people just see me as some online chick trying to make money and sell things," she said. "I'm not seen as a golfer, but I'm working my way into that by being good, hitting good shots and posting videos."
Charis doesn't shy away from the spotlight. Her wardrobe choices remain a regular topic of conversation, though she doesn't see the fuss. "It's a free world," she said. "In Europe, people go naked to beaches all the time, so I don't really see the difference."
While she hasn't played in any formal competitions yet, Charis says that could change soon.
"I'd love to compete in tournaments eventually," she said. "I'm pretty close. My game is nearly at a point where I feel confident enough to enter some local tournaments. It would be cool to get that experience."
Her path may be unconventional, but her goal is clear. And that's to prove that she's more than a viral video.
