Paige Spiranac, the former professional golfer turned digital content creator with millions of followers, recently opened up about the emotional toll that online harassment has taken on her life and career.
Widely known for her golf content, fitness posts, and influencer presence, Spiranac has captivated audiences worldwide, but beneath the curated social media images lies a deeply personal struggle with feeling misunderstood and isolated.
She shared a screenshot of a particularly cruel Instagram comment and followed it with a heartfelt message in her Instagram Stories: “Thank you so much for all of the very kind messages, it truly means a lot to me. I don’t normally do this, but this hate for some reason just has been really hitting home.”
Spiranac explained that, like many others, she has faced social challenges her entire life, including difficulty making friends, reading social cues, and fitting into larger social groups.
Spiranac recently participated in the Internet Invitational golfcreator event, an experience she hoped would help her feel more integrated into the golf community. However, the influx of negative comments reopened old feelings of being “unliked” and out of place, illustrating how online hostility can resonate far beyond the immediate moment.
These experiences highlight the intersection of public scrutiny and personal vulnerability, especially for young influencers navigating a digital world where judgment can arrive instantly and anonymously.
The impact of online hate
Online abuse is far from rare among public figures, but Spiranac’s story is a particularly vivid example of how it can magnify existing anxieties. She has previously revealed that cyberbullying forced her to step away from social media for weeks after her professional debut and nearly led her to abandon golf entirely.
Her rise to prominence was dramatic, going from just 500 followers to over 100,000 almost overnight, which brought both excitement and unexpected emotional strain.
Beyond the immediate stress, Spiranac has used her platform to highlight the broader cultural problem of online harassment. She has described hearing messages implying that “the world is better off without me,” and has encouraged her followers to confront these issues rather than internalize them.
Despite her outward confidence and professional success – teaching golf, modeling, creating content, and building brand partnerships – Spiranac acknowledges the personal cost of constant public scrutiny. “Golf is my therapy, but also the reason I need therapy,” she shared in a candid Q&A.
By speaking openly about her struggles, Spiranac humanizes the experience of being in the public eye. She reminds both fans and fellow creators that it is normal for not everyone to like you, and that self-worth should not be defined by online reactions.
Her message resonates far beyond the world of golf: anyone facing harsh commentary online can find strength in knowing they are not alone and that emotional honesty is a form of resilience.
Through her openness, Spiranac turns a personal challenge into a broader conversation about empathy, mental health, and the realities of social media. Her story is a reminder that even in a world filled with likes and followers, human vulnerability remains essential.
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