Paige Spiranac Forced to Delete Social Media After Harassment: Mental Health Battle Leaves Golf Star Struggling to Recover
Paige Spiranac, once pushed to the brink by cyberbullying, has emerged as a global golf sensation. From harassment and self-doubt to redefining the sport’s image, her journey is nothing short of inspiring.
From Cyberbullying Victim to Golf’s Biggest Influencer
Paige Spiranac, known for her bold personality and glamorous presence in the golf world, wasn’t always the confident figure fans see today. Before becoming one of the sport’s most influential voices, she endured relentless harassment, threats, and cyberbullying—so severe that she erased her entire online presence.
While studying at San Diego State University, Spiranac faced intense bullying, not from strangers, but from a group of female students. The experience shattered her confidence, leaving her feeling isolated and vulnerable. The situation escalated to the point where she deleted all of her social media accounts, withdrawing from the digital world entirely.
“After that experience, I deleted everything. I was too scared to be on social media anymore,” she revealed in an interview with MailOnline.
It wasn’t until her senior year of college that she cautiously started posting golf videos, believing that simply showcasing her passion for the sport would protect her from further scrutiny. She was wrong.
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Breaking Barriers: How Golf’s Traditionalists Rejected Spiranac
After college, Spiranac pursued a professional golf career, but success on the course didn’t come easily. She secured a single minor victory on the Cactus Tour but struggled to qualify for the LPGA Tour. However, something unexpected happened—her social media presence exploded, propelling her to a level of fame far beyond the traditional golf circuit.
Her lighthearted, engaging golf content resonated with millions, earning her over 4 million Instagram followers, 500,000 YouTube subscribers, and millions more across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). To put that into perspective, even golf legends like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler don’t command such massive online audiences.
However, with fame came backlash. Golf purists were quick to criticize her approach, dismissing her as a “marketing gimmick” rather than a legitimate athlete.
The controversy reached a boiling point in 2015 when Spiranac was granted a wild card entry to the Dubai Masters. Instead of celebrating her inclusion, critics unleashed a torrent of hate. She received death threats, blackmail attempts, and relentless attacks from those who believed she was diluting the sport.
Much of the criticism wasn’t even about her game—it was about her appearance. Her fitted athletic wear, including tank tops and form-fitting dresses, was labeled “inappropriate” for golf’s conservative traditions.
But Spiranac refused to conform.
“I grew up playing golf on public courses where guys wore jean shorts and tank tops,” she said. “I wore tracksuits. Why should I change now?”
Spiranac’s Meteoric Rise: Outshining the Pros
While the traditional golf community dismissed her, a younger, digital-savvy generation embraced her. She quickly became one of the most influential figures in modern golf, drawing in an audience that many traditional tournaments struggled to reach.
Her collaborations with Bryson DeChambeau and YouTube’s popular Good Good golf collective have amassed millions of views. Today, Spiranac’s combined following surpasses that of the world’s top 10 male golfers combined, sending shockwaves through the industry.
Her influence has even forced traditional golf organizations to rethink their approach. With younger fans turning to YouTube, TikTok, and digital platforms for golf content, tournaments like the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have been forced to innovate to stay relevant.
Remarkably, some of Spiranac’s golf videos garner more views than official tournament broadcasts, proving that the sport’s future may not lie solely in televised events, but in engaging, social-driven content.
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Beyond Social Media: Redefining the Role of Women in Golf
Paige Spiranac has evolved from a social media personality into a respected voice in the sport. She recently took on a major role as a commentator for Netflix’s golf documentary series, Full Swing—a move that solidifies her position as more than just an influencer.
Her mission extends beyond just personal success—she’s determined to break down the outdated barriers that have long defined golf.
“I don’t think golf has to choose between traditional and digital content,” she explained. “We can blend both to make the sport more accessible. That’s how we grow the game.”
Winning a major championship may never be in Spiranac’s future, but that hardly matters anymore. She’s done something far more impactful—she’s brought golf into the modern era, making it relatable, entertaining, and accessible to millions who might have never paid attention otherwise.
And that’s something even the greatest golfers in history haven’t been able to do.
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