EXCLUSIVE: Tiger Woods’ Daily Ritual to Shape Charlie Woods into a Golf Pro – And the Surprising Sport Charlie Wanted to Pursue
In the world of golf, few names resonate as powerfully as Tiger Woods, a legend whose 15 major championships and relentless drive have redefined the sport. Yet, behind the scenes, Woods has been quietly dedicating himself to a new mission: molding his son, Charlie Woods, into a professional golfer. Exclusive insights reveal the daily “special” routine Tiger implemented to nurture Charlie’s talent, alongside a surprising revelation about the sport Charlie initially wanted to play before embracing golf.
Charlie Woods, now 16, has been making waves in the junior golf circuit, showcasing a swing eerily reminiscent of his father’s and earning a No. 11 boys’ golf ranking in Florida, according to iWanamaker. But the journey to this point was far from straightforward. Sources close to the Woods family disclose that Tiger, aware of the immense pressure his legacy places on Charlie, crafted a meticulous daily regimen to foster his son’s skills while allowing him to carve his own path. “I was always reminding him, just be you,” Tiger told the Palm Beach Post in December 2024. “Charlie is Charlie. Yes, he’s my son, but he’s his own person.”
Every day, Tiger set aside time to work with Charlie on the fundamentals of golf, focusing on technique, mental resilience, and course strategy. Unlike the forgiving clubs common among juniors, Tiger insisted Charlie use blades to develop a purer feel for the game. “I’ve got blades in his hands so he learns how to play golf instead of learning with all those forgiving golf clubs,” Tiger reportedly told Jack Nicklaus, as shared by @PGATOURSMartin on X in 2020. This disciplined approach began when Charlie was just a toddler, with father and son hitting the range together, often turning practice into a bonding ritual. Tiger would challenge Charlie to nine-hole rounds after school, a routine that ESPN analyst Andy North noted was driven by Charlie’s enthusiasm: “Charlie comes home from school and embarrasses me into going and play nine holes late in the afternoon with him.”
These sessions weren’t just about mechanics. Tiger instilled a competitive edge in Charlie, teaching him to handle pressure, a skill evident when Charlie hit a hole-in-one at the PNC Championship in December 2024, with Tiger cheering him on. The father-son duo has competed together in multiple PNC Championships, with moments like Charlie lining up putts alongside his father at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club showcasing their shared passion. Yet, Tiger was careful not to overwhelm Charlie, emphasizing freedom over expectation. “I wish I had his move,” Tiger said in a 2020 Golf Digest interview, praising Charlie’s natural swing while coaching him to refine it.
Surprisingly, golf wasn’t always Charlie’s first choice. Insiders reveal that as a young boy, Charlie was drawn to soccer, captivated by the fast-paced action and team dynamics. He spent hours kicking a ball in the backyard, dreaming of emulating stars like Lionel Messi. However, Tiger, recognizing Charlie’s potential in golf and the unique opportunity to mentor him in a sport he dominated, gently steered him toward the fairways. “Tiger saw something special in Charlie’s swing even at age five,” a family friend shared. “He didn’t force it, but he made golf fun—trips to the course, playful bets, and stories about legends like Charlie Sifford.” This approach paid off, as Charlie embraced golf, joining the Benjamin School’s golf team and contributing to their 2023 state championship win.
Charlie’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. In May 2025, he shot a three-over-par 75 at a U.S. Open local qualifier at Wellington Golf Club, improving from his nine-over 81 the previous year but falling short of advancing. At the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in March 2025, Charlie finished 11-over, tying for 25th, a respectable showing in a field of 36 elite juniors. Despite these setbacks, his resilience and steady improvement have earned him a spot at the Team TaylorMade Invitational from May 25-28, 2025, signaling his growing reputation.
Tiger’s influence extends beyond technique. He’s taught Charlie to navigate the spotlight, drawing from his own experiences under scrutiny. The golf legend’s recent personal struggles, including a ruptured Achilles tendon that sidelined him from the 2025 Masters, have only deepened his commitment to Charlie’s career. “I think one of the reasons he’s worked so hard after the accident was because it gave him a great opportunity to spend so much time with Charlie and play golf with his son,” Andy North remarked.
Charlie’s path also intersects with another rising star, Kai Trump, granddaughter of President Donald Trump, who competed alongside him at Sage Valley. Both attend The Benjamin School, and their parents’ recent relationship—Tiger dating Vanessa Trump—has added a layer of intrigue to their parallel golf journeys. While Kai struggled at Sage Valley, finishing 52-over, Charlie’s performance showed his potential to follow in his father’s footsteps, even as he forges his own identity.
As Charlie prepares for his next challenge, the golf world watches closely. Tiger’s daily dedication—blending discipline, encouragement, and fatherly pride—has laid the foundation for Charlie’s ascent. Whether he becomes a professional golfer or not, Charlie Woods is already proving he’s more than just Tiger’s son. His story is one of talent, choice, and a father’s unwavering belief in his son’s potential to shine.
