Kylie Butler did not come to golf through a grand plan. She came to it by proximity, growing up around the course and eventually picking up a club because it was simply there. What started as a pastime became something much bigger.
“I started playing golf because I had lived on the golf course, so I was always around it and it just became something I picked up. At first it was just something to do, but as I continued to play, I realized it was more than just a hobby and I started actually caring about improving and competing, not just playing for fun.”
That shift from casual interest to real commitment changed everything for Butler. One of the biggest turning points came during her freshman year, when she posted her first strong tournament round and earned a place finish. The result gave her a clearer picture of what she could do and the confidence to keep pushing.
“My biggest turning point was my freshmen year where I had my first really good round in a tournament and I actually placed. It showed me what I was capable of and gave me a lot more confidence in my game. After that, I started believing in myself more and pushing myself to keep improving.”
Butler says the strongest part of her game right now is not something fans always notice first.
“Right now, I take the most pride in my mental game. I’ve worked really hard on staying positive and not letting one bad shot ruin everything, and that’s made a big difference in how I play overall.”
That mindset matters most before the round even begins. Standing on the first tee, Butler tries to keep nerves in check and trust her swing instead of forcing things.
“On the first tee of a tournament, I’m usually a little nervous, but I try to stay focused and keep my mind on what I need to do. I remind myself it’s just another round and to trust my swing instead of overthinking it.”
The same approach helps after mistakes. One bad hole, she said, cannot become two.
“After a tough hole, I try to reset mentally and not let it carry over onto the next hole. I remind myself one hole doesn’t define my whole round and focus on the next shot.”
Butler attributes much of her growth to Coach Madelyn Lehr, who has believed in her from the start. The lessons have gone beyond golf, shaping how she handles school, friends and setbacks. This season, Butler’s focus is simple: improve her scores, build confidence and keep moving forward.
When it is all over, she hopes people remember her for effort, resilience and love for the game.
