A kaleidoscope of glitz and glamour, the world of professional golf can often mask the challenging reality of balancing personal life and high-stakes sports. A striking glimpse into this dichotomy is revealed by retired golf legends Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie West. Thompson, who bowed out after an illustrious 14-year career in 2024, referenced her battle with mental health and the need to prioritize personal life as the main reasons for her departure from the game.
Furthermore, Wie West, another titan of the greens, disclosed her struggles to harmonize her professional commitments with motherhood. Joining the LPGA Tour in 2009, Wie West quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her awe-inspiring performances. Her career, decorated with 5 LPGA Tour event wins, including the coveted U.S. Women’s Open in 2014, took a detour when she decided to start a family.
In a candid chat on the Quite Please podcast with Mel Reid and Kira Dixon, Wie West spoke about her transition from being a professional golfer to a full-time mom. She reminisced about her journey and talked about the significant shift in lifestyle that ensued with the arrival of her first child in 2020. One of the most significant challenges was adjusting to the absence of the support team that usually accompanies a professional athlete, including a nutritionist, trainer, and caddie.
Wie West’s struggle to maintain her professional form after embracing motherhood was palpable, as evidenced by her results post motherhood. Of the 9 events she participated in post childbirth, she was unable to make the cut in 6. Her final appearance at the US Women’s Open also ended in a missed cut.
But the challenges were not confined to the golf course. Wie West also addressed societal attitudes towards mothers, especially those with young children. She remarked, “It’s amazing how different people are towards you. Like when you are travelling, pregnant people on your way will open doors for you and be like oh my god, please sit down, and all of a sudden when you are traveling with young kids, people are a–holes.”
Other LPGA professionals have also echoed Wie West’s sentiments. Amy Olson and Emma Talley, both of whom retired in 2024, cited the pressures of balancing motherhood and a professional golfing career as a key factor in their decisions. In an interview with Golf Monthly, Olson reflected on her choice to prioritize motherhood over golf, saying, “For me, if I was going to fail at something, I’d rather fail at golf than motherhood.”
Similarly, Talley announced her retirement and subsequent pregnancy on Instagram, stating, “I am getting to relax this year. Usually, this is where I spend my off-season to grind and practice, but this year, I don’t have to grind and practice because I am retiring.” She followed up with the joyous announcement of her impending motherhood, “Christmas came early. The greatest gift we could have asked for. Baby girl Smith coming June 2025!!”
The grueling schedule of 32 events in a calendar year can push professional golfers to the brink of burnout, forcing them to prioritize personal life and family over their careers. The question that remains is: can any changes be made to accommodate professional athletes who are also mothers? Your thoughts and insights are welcomed in the comments section below.
