Golf Influencer Grace Charis Breaks Silence on Rivalry with Paige Spiranac and Reveals New Career Move
– Grace Charis, the 22-year-old golf sensation who has skyrocketed to fame with her blend of athletic prowess and unapologetic glamour, has finally addressed the elephant in the fairway: her much-hyped “rivalry” with Paige Spiranac, the undisputed queen of golf influencing. In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, Charis downplayed the comparisons while teasing an exciting pivot in her burgeoning career—one that could solidify her as more than just a social media darling.
Charis, a Newport Beach native and former competitive rower, burst onto the scene in 2023 with viral posts showcasing her swing in revealing outfits, amassing nearly 4 million Instagram followers, 3 million on TikTok, and 1.5 million on YouTube. Her content, often braless and slow-motion heavy, mirrors Spiranac’s style but stems from a different origin story. While the 32-year-old Spiranac, a former collegiate golfer who vied for LPGA spots, built her empire on instructional tips and sultry snaps after turning pro fell short, Charis stumbled into golf during the COVID-19 pandemic when her rowing dreams derailed. “I needed a sport,” she recalled, crediting a best friend’s introduction to the game for sparking an “addiction” to content creation after one blue jumpsuit post exploded online.
The so-called rivalry has simmered for years, fueled by fans pitting the two against each other in the battle for golf’s social media crown. Spiranac holds a slight edge with 4 million Instagram followers and a superior handicap of +3.4 compared to Charis’s +5, but the younger influencer’s rapid rise—closing the gap to just 400,000 followers—has sparked endless speculation. Charis’s bio tagline, “Your favorite golf girl :),” and her June 2024 video celebrating her first hole-in-one only amplified the chatter, with some seeing it as a subtle nod to Spiranac’s recent Happy Gilmore 2 cameo.
But Charis insists there’s no bad blood—or even much awareness. “I don’t know too much about what she does,” she admitted, brushing off the comparisons with a laugh. “It doesn’t come up on my feed.” Instead, she views the attention as a net positive for the sport. “I think that’s good for everybody, to be good at the sport and promote the sport. It’s kind of the goal,” Charis said, emphasizing her focus on fun over feuds. “Sometimes people aren’t there for the golf game and they’re there just because I’m a pretty face or something. But they’re still getting exposed to the game.” Her philosophy echoes Spiranac’s trailblazing role in making golf more accessible, even if it ruffles traditionalists—Charis has faced backlash for her outfits but remains defiant, arguing it draws newcomers to the links.
The interview’s real bombshell? Charis’s bold new career move: launching her own apparel brand, Dialed Golf, set for debut in early April 2025. The line features polos, hoodies, pullovers, V-neck wool sweaters, T-shirts, hats, and visors, all designed for “comfort and performance” while embracing golf’s adventurous spirit. “Golf is more than a sport; it’s a way to see the world, meet new people, and push yourself to new limits,” Charis explained. “With Dialed Golf, we’re creating apparel that represents that mindset—gear that’s functional, stylish, and made for those who want to experience everything golf has to offer.” The brand’s playful “Walk It Off” T-shirt nods to the game’s frustrations, blending humor with high-quality fabrics.
This entrepreneurial leap comes amid Charis’s own golf evolution. Now playing four to five times a week, she credits her rowing and brief ballet background for refining her swing, though she admits the influencer grind sometimes hinders practice. In June 2025, she dipped her toe into competitive waters with an amateur debut at the Ladies European Tour’s Tenerife Women’s Open, finishing 26-over but viewing it as a learning curve. “It’s hard to do both social media and [pursue a career in] golf,” she reflected, hinting at a desire to separate her online persona from her athletic ambitions.
Charis’s trajectory has drawn lucrative parallels to Spiranac, with reports suggesting both influencers out-earn even Masters champions like Rory McIlroy through sponsorships and posts—Spiranac reportedly triples what some pros make per Instagram share. Yet Charis, who briefly ventured into OnlyFans for exclusive content before leaks in late 2024 sparked privacy debates, is pivoting toward sustainability. Rumors of a full retirement swirled in June 2025, but insiders clarified it’s from competitive play, not influencing, as she channels energy into Dialed Golf and potential LET aspirations.
As the golf world gears up for The Masters in April 2025—where Charis plans to model her new line—her story underscores a shifting landscape. No longer just “entertainment-adjacent,” as pro Rory McIlroy once quipped about influencers, Charis is redefining the tee box. Whether challenging Spiranac’s throne or carving her own path, one thing’s clear: this “pretty face” is dialed in for the long game.
