Last year in June, Charley Hull became the most-talked-about female golfer after the women’s US Open and it wasn’t because of her play. A photograph of her smoking at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania went viral. Not only did this take the on-lookers by surprise, but it was also baffling given how much Hull focuses on gym work and staying fit. Then at the Solheim Cup, a video of Hull getting near the rope line and borrowing a fan’s lighter became the talk of the golf community. Some criticized her, while others labeled her as a “cult hero” and Hull stayed defiant as ever.

For Hull, her fitness takes precedence, which is something that has made her a popular name in both golf and golfing circles. However, she once again turned heads with her statement a week ago at the PIF Saudi Ladies International. As she struggled to find her range on the fairway during the off-season, she was asked about her goal for the season. “It’s not really a golf course goal, I wanna try and get my 5K run down to 20 minutes by the end of the year,” she said. Then when a journalist asked whether her approach to fitness was helping her golf game, she answered, “I don’t train for golf. I have zero interest in training for golf. I think golf training is a load of rubbish. I just train because it is good for my mental health and it’s good for me and I want to be an athlete.” Needless to say, many golf fans on social media were up in arms.

Comments such as “That’s why she will never be the best,” and “Bulls**t!” flooded the internet. Questions were raised about her commitment to the sport, but Hull, as always, remained carefree, and recent comments highlight that her love for golf isn’t going away anytime soon.

Ahead of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Hull opened up about what she’s looking forward to this year and it was a 180-degree flip from her earlier comments. “I just love playing golf. Love playing in tournaments,” she said. “Just being out on the golf course, and been working hard over the winter on my game. You know, just really looking forward to the majors this year.” A reporter then surprisingly asked her about her retirement plans saying they read an article about it. This drew a strong response from Hull.

“I don’t think that’s about me surely. Lexi is retiring but not me. Definitely not me. I’ll play golf until I’m on my deathbed,” she said in a strongly worded message. Well, if anyone had doubts about Hull’s commitment and desire to be a golfer, they just got their answer. During the press conference, she also didn’t shy away from hitting back at her critics.

“I just want to go out there, do me. And people like me for the way I am, that’s cool. If they don’t, doesn’t bother me. Just being me. As long as my friends and family love me, I’m just happy doing my own thing,” she added.

Hull has been a popular name on the circuit and her antics continue to be a talking point. Even at the Paris Olympics, where smoking was banned, Hull’s habit became news, and how she would cope without it. The Englishwoman noted that it could affect her chances, but appeared resigned saying, “It is what it is.” 

Hull’s unapologetic nature has earned her a strong following on social media, but she has also faced criticism for her straightforward nature. Still, she is not the one to hide her true self. Speaking last year at the Solheim Cup, she addressed her critics saying, “I’m myself. If I like things I like it for myself. Other people don’t like it, well, it’s not their life.”

Still, her seriousness on the course will be gauged by the success she has in the eyes of many fans. Hull’s last LPGA win came back in October 2022 at the Volunteers of America Classic. She did pick up a victory last year—outside of the LPGA—at the Aramco Team Series event in Riyadh, marking her first win in two years. But to be honest—fans have been waiting way too long to see her bring that winning magic back to the LPGA.

Top Comment by Lake

8 words. Learn to count.

Share your take

Debate

This year, she competed at the Founders Cup and finished at T19 at the tournament with a score of 8 under 276. She shot 68 in the opening round with three birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine. She then shot 72 in the second round with two birdies on the front nine and none on the back nine.

She hit 66 with five birdies on the front nine and three on the back nine. Finally, in the fourth round, she hit 70 with two birdies on the front nine. She also finished T8 at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour. She would hope to continue her decent start to the season in Singapore.

Now, while we haven’t seen her lifting another trophy just yet, what we have seen is how insanely dedicated she is to her fitness. If you’ve been keeping up, you know she’s been grinding hard in the gym—probably gearing up to turn all that effort into a win.

Charley Hull and her no-nonsense workout routine

Her golf instructor, Kate Davey, couldn’t help but hype her up. She recently shared a post praising Hull’s dedication, writing: “The dedication, consistency and hard work has been another level, you make your own luck through hard work and commitment and Charley is one of the best in the world because of exactly that. I am so excited for this next year and watching you compete again. Season 2025, let’s go! ⛳️”

And honestly? She’s not wrong. Hull’s dedication is on point. Remember when she took an ice-cold dip in December as ice therapy? That wasn’t even the half of it, because her actual training is no joke.“It’s being comfortable with being uncomfortable, as my dad has always told me pain is a weakness of the mind,” Hull shared. And she’s definitely living by that. Her workouts aren’t just your standard gym sessions—they’re straight-up intense. We’re talking ski thresholds, box jumps, burpees, walking lunges—the kind of stuff that makes even the fittest athletes break a sweat.

Hull isn’t just working to improve her game—she’s making sure she’s at her best, physically and mentally. So, will 2025 be the year she finally breaks her winless streak on the LPGA Tour? With the way she’s been grinding, it’s only a matter of time before all that hard work pays off.