Danica Patrick hung up her racing helmet in 2018, but she hasn't stopped chasing thrills. The 44-year-old former NASCAR and IndyCar driver is now tearing up the golf course — and she just posted a career-best score that turned heads.
Patrick shot an 83 in a recent round, and she made sure everyone knew it was legit. No gimmes. No breakfast balls. Just pure, grind-it-out golf. She took to her Instagram Story to celebrate, writing, 'Shot a 💯 legit putted out no gimmies no breakfast balls 83 yesterday!!!!!! And let me tell ya, I missed about 5 very very short putts.'
The score is especially impressive given Patrick's recent struggles with her driver. She admitted on social media that she 'forgot how to hit my driver to start the year off… Until about 10 days ago. I remembered just as mysteriously as I forgot.' That kind of honesty resonates with anyone who's ever stood over a tee box wondering where their swing went.
Patrick has been filling her retirement with sports — tennis, skiing, and now golf. She's been open about the ups and downs, calling golf 'a funny game… And mostly played by those who just love to be hard on themselves. A game you will never master and repeatedly wonder — why am I doing this to myself?!'
But with scores in the 80s, she's clearly doing something right. For a relative newcomer to the sport, shooting 83 is a milestone that many weekend warriors only dream of. Patrick even jokingly added, 'On the other hand, don't tell my GHIN.'
Her golf success comes amid ongoing chatter about her legacy in racing. She was recently voted the most disliked driver in IndyCar history by fans, a title she's well aware of. But on the course, she's earning respect with every swing.
Patrick's competitive fire never really went out — it just found a new arena. Whether she's behind the wheel or walking the fairway, she's still chasing personal bests. And this 83 is proof that she's still got the drive.
For context, even some elite athletes struggle to break 90 when they first pick up the game. Nick Saban's golf swing video recently sparked doubt about his Augusta National score, showing that high-level competitors don't always transition seamlessly to the links. Patrick, though, is making it look natural.
With more rounds like this, she might just silence the critics — one birdie at a time.
