Swings, setbacks, and second chances. Meet Bobby Massa, the Dallas-born golfer who defied the odds and shattered his doubts to achieve greatness. In the heart of Texas, where golf courses stretch as far as the horizon, Massa’s talent was nurtured from a young age.

From his early days of playing college golf to his current reign as a respected instructor and competitor, let’s dive into his journey, from setbacks to triumphs. Massa’s story is one of perseverance and determination.

Bobby Massa’s early life, from swing yips to swing master 

Bobby Massa was born on February 9, 1988, in Irving, Texas. His father, Joel Massa, was a former baseball and golf letterwinner at UT Arlington. He instilled a strong work ethic and a passion for sports in him, eventually leading him to play college golf for the University of Texas at Arlington. The 36-year-old’s collegiate career was nothing short of impressive, as he holds the school record for the lowest career stroke average at 73.11. 

He also holds three of the lowest seven scores ever posted in his school history: 62, 64, and 65. Moreover, he is a power hitter too; at 36, he still swings up to 190 mph ball speed. Massa’s love for golf drove him to turn pro in 2010. However, his career took an unexpected turn when he developed the swing yips that forced him to quit playing in 2015. He felt defeated, and as he recalled, “I couldn’t break 90 to save my life. It was a disaster, to say the least. There were many attempts where I didn’t get to finish because I ran out of golf balls. I’ve hit some large foul balls in my day. 150 yards offline was a cupcake at that time.” But the 36-year-old’s journey didn’t end there. 

Rather, he found a new purpose in teaching and became a full-time swing instructor. Thanks to his incredible swing technique, his business flourished, and he reignited his passion for the sport. He puts his business side story, per Golf, “With the way the game is going, with everyone wanting to hit it farther, everything fell into place with my job.”As he helped the trainees unlock their swing potential, he practiced on his own and eventually regained his amateur status in 2019. 

In 2020, he broke through with his swing, played his first tournament in over five years, and didn’t look back. 

A second chance at glory

Through his struggles, his wife, Kalloway, has been his rock. Together, they share a love for life, family, golf, and a cute baby girl, Palmer Morrow Massa, born on May 21, 2023. He also has another baby on the way.

Massa’s determination and hard work paid off in 2022 when he finished second at the Texas State Amateur. He qualified for his first U.S. Mid-Amateur later that year and reached the quarterfinals of that championship. That year, he also reached Monday-qualifying for the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson.

Before the 124th U.S. Amateur, the golfer-turned-instructor reiterated, “I love the competition; I wanted to hopefully get back to where I could play again and just enjoy the process of it. My confidence started to grow, and my misses shrank.” 

The 36-year-old is living proof that, with dedication and hard work, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. With his swing and spirit revitalized, Bobby Massa stands as a testament to the power of perseverance.