Key Takeaways
- Danica Patrick retired from professional racing in 2018 but remains highly active, regularly playing tennis, skiing and, more recently, golf.
- After a brief struggle with her driver early in the year, she rediscovered her swing about ten days prior to posting her update.
- Patrick recently shared on Instagram that she shot a career‑best 83, noting the round was played without “breakfast balls” or gimmes.
- She acknowledged missing several short putts but kept the tone light‑hearted, joking that she wouldn’t tell her GHIN handicap system about the score.
- The 44‑year‑old former NASCAR and IndyCar driver views golf as a humbling, self‑critical sport that she enjoys despite its challenges.
- Her improving scores in the 80s demonstrate rapid progress for someone relatively new to the game.
Danica Patrick, who hung up her racing helmet after the 2018 season, has continued to pursue athletic pursuits with the same vigor that once propelled her to the forefront of American open‑wheel and stock‑car racing. At 44, the former NASCAR and IndyCar star splits her time among a variety of sports—she plays tennis frequently, hits the slopes for skiing, and has recently turned her attention to golf. The transition from high‑octane motorsport to the comparatively leisurely pace of the fairways has not been without its hiccups, but Patrick’s competitive spirit remains evident.
Early in the year Patrick encountered a familiar frustration that many golfers know well: a sudden loss of confidence with her driver. She recalled forgetting how to hit the club cleanly, a lapse that persisted until roughly ten days before she shared her update on social media. The return of her form felt almost mystical to her, as she described remembering the swing “just as mysteriously as I forgot.” This ebb and flow is typical in golf, a sport Patrick herself characterizes as “a funny game… and mostly played by those who just love to be hard on themselves.” She notes that mastery is elusive, and players often find themselves questioning why they subject themselves to the game’s relentless challenges.
Despite the ups and downs, Patrick’s recent efforts have yielded tangible results. She took to her Instagram Story to boast about a personal milestone: a score of 83 recorded without the aid of “breakfast balls” (the informal mulligans some players take on the first hole) or gimmes (conceded short putts). In her post she exclaimed, “Shot a 💯 legit putted out no gimmies no breakfast balls 83 yesterday!!!!!!” The exclamation‑filled announcement underscored her pride in achieving a legitimate, unassisted round that she considers a career‑best to date.
Patrick was candid about the imperfections that accompanied the score. She admitted missing “about 5 very very short putts,” a common source of frustration for golfers of all skill levels. Yet she maintained her trademark humor, adding a playful jab at her GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) profile: “And let me tell ya, I missed about 5 very very short putts. 😩 On the other hand, don’t tell my GHIN. 🤣” This light‑hearted acknowledgment reflects her awareness that even a strong round contains room for improvement, and it highlights the self‑critical mindset she attributes to the sport.
The achievement is notable given Patrick’s relatively recent immersion in golf. Scoring in the low‑80s range after only a short period of dedicated practice places her ahead of many recreational players who spend years honing their technique. It also underscores the transferable discipline and mental toughness cultivated during her racing career—qualities that help her navigate the sport’s inherent variability and maintain a positive outlook despite occasional setbacks.
Patrick’s ongoing engagement with multiple athletic disciplines illustrates a broader pattern: elite athletes often seek new physical challenges after retiring from their primary sport, using cross‑training to stay fit, motivated, and mentally sharp. Her forays into tennis, skiing, and now golf serve both as recreation and as a means to continue setting personal goals. While she may no longer be chasing checkered flags at Daytona or Indianapolis, the competitive fire that defined her racing days is clearly alive on the fairways, where each round offers a fresh opportunity to beat her own best score—and perhaps, eventually, to break into the 70s.
In summary, Danica Patrick’s post‑racing life is marked by vigorous activity, a humble yet determined approach to golf, and a willingness to share both successes and shortcomings with her fans. Her recent Instagram‑revealed 83‑stroke round, achieved without shortcuts, stands as a testament to her adaptability and enduring drive, suggesting that the athlete’s journey is far from over, even if the venue has changed from the racetrack to the golf course.