Mac Boucher: From Social Media Star to Competitive Golfer

DUNROBIN, Ont. — On a stunning July morning near Ottawa, Mac Boucher chuckles after his putt rolls about four feet past its target during a practice round. “Oh,” he remarks, “great pace on that one.”

As he shakes hands with his fellow players and shares contact information, he heads up to the clubhouse at Eagle Creek Golf Club, the venue for this week’s Commissionaires Ottawa Open. This tournament is part of the PGA Tour Americas circuit, akin to double-A baseball, where golfers aspire to move up to the Korn Ferry Tour and eventually the PGA Tour. It’s Boucher’s first of two events this year where he has received sponsor exemptions.

Though his golf skills are impressive—Boucher was a professional golfer at one point—his presence is significantly bolstered by his strong social media following. With over 600,000 Instagram followers and an additional 30,000 on YouTube, he operates Canada’s most-followed golf account, where his most viewed video has garnered 22 million views.

This year, Boucher aims to transition from his social media fame to the competitive golf scene. “I love competitive golf,” he tells Sportsnet. “I don’t see myself as just a social media golfer. I’m really passionate about playing and competing.”

At 35, Boucher began playing golf seriously at the age of 17 after suffering from severe headaches while involved in other sports. Following the discovery of a benign cyst in his brain, he chose to pursue golf, which is less physically demanding. He studied golf in both Georgia and Michigan, then traveled to Australia before returning to Canada in 2015 to obtain his PGA Tour Canada card.

His professional journey was cut short a year later due to wrist surgery, leading him to work in various golf clubs and with coaches in the Greater Toronto Area, where he grew up. Boucher’s breakthrough moment came in 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Dubai, when a video of him hitting an impressive shot went viral. He now consistently shares two videos a day, showcasing his golf travels and experiences, attracting significant views and engagement.

With multi-year sponsorships from brands like TaylorMade and adidas, and a recent collaboration with Tim Hortons, Boucher has seen his fame give him real-world opportunities. As he prepares for upcoming events, he acknowledges the challenges of balancing his social media persona with competitive golf while remaining grounded. “I love everything about this,” he remarks. “I don’t think I’ll ever lose that.”