For professional athletes, social media often paints a picture of a life filled with rigorous training, glamorous tournaments, and constant preparation for the next big event. But as Jessica Korda hilariously reminded us, reality isn’t always that polished. The six-time LPGA Tour winner has been away from competitive golf since May 2023, stepping back due to a lingering back injury. While fans eagerly await her comeback, Jessica is spending her time focusing on recovery, family, and her beloved Goldendoodle dog, Charlie. And as it turns out, that “recovery period” isn’t all about training—it also involves some, let’s say, less glamorous responsibilities.

Korda recently gave fans a brutally honest (and hilarious) look into her day-to-day life. “This is definitely a reality versus Instagram reality, or whatever these kids are calling it these days,” she said in her Instagram story. “Because you guys think that I’m out playing golf, but that was literally like 45 minutes of today, and now I’m just outside picking up dog sh-t.”

That’s right—while people might assume she’s spending hours on the course fine-tuning her game, the reality is that, at least for now, her biggest opponent is Charlie’s mess. That said, golf is still very much in the picture. Just recently, she shared a video of herself taking a swing, captioning it: “One swing at a time, There’s no need to rush..It’s like learning to fly… Or falling in love”

Korda has already set a timeline for her return, aiming to make her highly anticipated LPGA Tour comeback in 2026. “I’m definitely itching to be able to play again, how much, I’m not so sure,” Korda said. “I’ll take 2025 to assess and then per our maternity, 2026 is kind of what we’re shooting for.” Although the exact date or event isn’t confirmed yet.

Taking a measured approach to recovery, Korda knows that a rushed comeback could do more harm than good. Instead of pushing through pain, she’s focusing on long-term health—something that many athletes struggle to prioritize. That means more time at home, more moments with family, and, of course, more quality time with Charlie, who has become a social media favorite.

Jessica Korda’s bond with her furry friend Charlie

When she’s not on the course, Korda is spending plenty of time with her family—and that includes her fur baby, Charlie. Charlie turned 7 in October 2024, and Korda marked the occasion with a heartfelt Instagram post: “Happy 7th Birthday to my first baby my snuggle bug and the best big brother to Greyson,” she captioned.

Charlie isn’t just an Instagram star; he’s also made his way onto Korda’s custom golf towels and even stolen the show at tournaments. During the Grant Thornton Invitational in December 2024, Rickie Fowler FaceTimed his daughter just to introduce her to Jessica’s beloved dog. When your pet is famous enough to get screen time with PGA pros, you know they’re a big deal.

Korda may be a six-time LPGA winner, but her latest Instagram story proves that even pro golfers live the same everyday realities as the rest of us. Whether she’s preparing for a comeback or picking up after Charlie, she’s embracing it all with humor. And if there’s one thing her journey reminds us, it’s that no matter how successful you are, life has a way of keeping things real.