Last weekend, golf influencer and former college standout Paige Spiranac sparked a passionate debate when she tweeted: “Hot take. If you can’t fix your ball mark on the green you shouldn’t be allowed to play. It takes two seconds to do and requires no skill.”
🧭 The Etiquette Uproar
Pitch marks—those tiny depressions left behind by a ball—are more than a nuisance; they ruin putting speed and damage finely groomed greens. But is repairing them truly a trivial task? Critics took to social media to argue otherwise:
“Just sayin, the vast majority of people who bother to fix their marks do so improperly and damage the turf roots.”
A former greenkeeper echoed this, noting that correctly repairing a ball mark takes longer than two seconds and demands real skill .
In response, Spiranac leaned into her stance, posting a brief tutorial showing how to use a tee and putter to fix the grass. “Now there is no excuse,” she declared—an effort to move from criticism to instruction.
More Than a Rant: A Vision for Responsibility
Paige’s pitch‐mark crusade stems from deeper values:
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Respect for Groundskeepers: She highlights that dedicated crews work hard to maintain immaculate courses, urging players to reciprocate.
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Karma & Course Conditions: She suggests poor etiquette can come back to haunt your game—“the golf gods are looking down”.
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Elevating Standards: As a vocal presence in golf, Paige aims to nudge amateurs and pros alike toward better habits.
Aiming Higher: PGA Tour Ambitions
Far from just stirring etiquette conversations, Spiranac has also set her sights on a role with the PGA Tour. With the recent appointment of a new CEO, fans and media are encouraging her to become an on-course reporter. Spiranac has responded with lighthearted enthusiasm and hinted at ongoing communications.
Beyond broadcasting, she’s entering the golf governance scene. She’s joined the front office of Grass League, a nighttime Par 3 tournament, taking charge of brand development, content strategy, sponsorship acquisition, and talent scouting.
What This Means for Golf
This isn’t just a viral hot take—it’s a spark for deeper conversations on golf’s future:
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Etiquette Upgrades: With influencers like Spiranac spotlighting course care, etiquette education may shift online and social platforms.
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Modern Voices in Golf Media: Her push toward PGA Tour involvement shows the evolving power of golf participants turned influencers.
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Influencer Roles Beyond the Course: Her Grass League position underscores how social media stars are moving into operational and leadership roles.
⛳ Final Thought
Paige Spiranac’s bold statement on “no-skill-required” etiquette has fractured opinions—but it also demands conversation. She’s not just complaining; she’s taking action with a tutorial, highlighting integrity, and advocating for player responsibility. Meanwhile, her ascent toward PGA Tour involvement and leadership in events like Grass League shows a wider shift: golf is changing, and digital-influencers are stepping into traditionally off-limits corridors of power.
Golf’s greens may be small—but Spiranac is proving that strong voices can change the landscape of the entire sport.