Caitlin Clark and golf go way back. Not only did the WNBA Rookie of the Year play in a pro-am recently, but she’s also been using the greens to get away from the hard court when things get to be too much at times. Like how Iowa lost the championship to LSU after making it to the finals for the first time in years. Or how the Indiana Fever exited the playoffs in the first round after making it to the postseason for the first time since 2016. But while the greens provide an escape, CC almost hit someone on the head in the Annike Sorrenstam pro-am.

Speaking on the New Heights podcast, Clark talked about her experience of playing golf vs. basketball. Of the Annika incident, she recounts, “Like, we’re playing like, these long par threes that are, like 200 yards. I’m like, I’m not good enough to hit a par three, like 200 yards, like, so I whip out my hybrid. I’m, like, teeing up my hybrid club. Just top it, like, straight up down the third base line.”

Someone dodged one of her higher balls as it hit a close crowd, which laughed, but the latter person wasn’t as lucky. “I nailed somebody on a different par three, like some woman, like, right in the shoulder, like, the shoulder I saw, I saw a tick-tock, like, the next day, just like black, well, on her arm, just got a black welt.”

For an athlete as good as the Iowa sensation, being competitive is part of their nature. Whether it’s with a ball in their hands or a golf club, winning is always the goal. But as Clark points out, “I think golf makes me more mad because I’m not as good at it. Like I’m just, like, the average hack and like, you want to be good, like you’re competitive, just like basketball or football, like it’s like, why am I not good at this so and it’s like, meant, it’s like, it’s an individual sport, and we’re used to team sports, so I think that’s what pisses me off, too. It’s like, it’s all on me, and I know it’s all my fault.”

Whether or not she can play well is up to the audience, who came in hordes to watch the Fever guard compete at the Annika. Golf Channel even moved their schedule around a little to air her game live to eager viewers who demanded it on social media and with hundreds of email requests. And Clark gave them a show.

For two pros in the game, she has actually gotten better at it!

Caitlin Clark receives praise from Jay Monahan and Zach Johnson

2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson played with Caitlin Clark at the RSM Classic pro-am at Sea Island Golf Club in November 2024, as well as the 2023 at the 2023 John Deere Classic. And having some PGA Tour victories on his resume, Johnson’s praise holds high value. “She’s a competitor before she is anything else. I witnessed it a year and a half ago when we played, and I’ve also witnessed that she’s gotten better. She’s working on her game,” the golfer said in a Golfweek article from Nov. 20.

Meanwhile, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said, “What really struck me was her love of the game. Clearly, her competitive spirit and fire come through. And her ability comes through loud and clear on some of those tee shots.”

Both agreed that improving her game in a year-and-a-half is rather quick and despite it not being her first or main sport, Caitlin Clark is going to be playing golf for a long time. Even if she’s not at the pro level yet, as the ROTY points out, at least she is good at the game she’s supposed to be a pro in. Who knows, it might only be a matter of time before Clark shows up to pro-ams or PGA tournaments more regularly!