Wyndham Clark’s Vulnerabilities Have a ‘Lasting Impact’; Olympic Bound Hero’s Unfiltered Confession Reveals Strong Reality

Wyndham Clark hasn’t watched Full Swing yet. Part of the reason is, well, he lived it. The second season featured an extensive journey inside Clark’s head, which wasn’t a very tidy place up until then. The 30-year-old, dubbed a prodigy at college, was trying to find his footing in the top tier of men’s professional golf. 

Clark incurred some bad habits: drinking, self-loathing, and being pesky to others. The University of Oregon alum used to lock himself in the room and was averse to the idea of seeing a therapist. Yet, at his caddie’s insistence, Clark knocked on the doors of mental health coach Julie Elion, who became an instant celebrity thanks to the episode.

But for a person who remained cooped up for so long, how difficult was it to open up in front of a camera, knowing that a million can see where you have been, what you battle with, and what your demons look like? 

Clark, seated at the BMW Championship conference in his home state of Colorado, smiled. “You know, some guys in that show took the route of not showing too much vulnerability. That’s just how I am. I’m kind of open up in sharing with people.”

It’s not clear who was Clark referring to. Full Swing led bare some of the most personal moments from golfers. In fact, in the ‘Mind Games’, Joel Dahmen’s downward spiral is caught unfiltered.  Moreover, Keegan Bradley received the news of not being chosen for the Ryder Cup. Previously, injury-ladden Brooks Koepka questioned his future.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old went on to add, “I know my story has a really lasting impact, and I think I could help and influence other people, so I feel like it’s my job to share my story and hopefully help people.” So, it wasn’t ‘too hard’ for the three-time PGA Tour winner. 

Mental health received renewed focus because of Grayson Murray’s tragic passing. Murray, like Clark, was a prodigy, but one who never found his way to the top. After Murray’s suicide, Clark once again opened up about the struggles pro golfers face.

Golf is a lonely sport admits Wyndham Clark

Wyndham Clark is the first to admit that the tee box is the most lonely place for a golfer. Fans are cheering behind you. Your caddie stands next to you. But swinging your club is a job that you have to do alone. The failures, the frustrations, and the weight of self-doubt that claws its way up are yours to bear.

“The unfortunate thing for what we do is, it is so lonely and it’s very difficult. Too often I think players, including myself, get tied up so much in score and outcome, and the game of golf is so frustrating and so hard,” Wyndham Clark said before the U.S. Open. The three-time PGA Tour winner has found support from a Sports psychologist; something he recommends to his colleagues. A dramatic change in his life came because of that one little decision.