Meet Hailey Ostrom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Ostrom.

Hi Hailey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up playing golf in Bend, Oregon with my dad. I was one of the very few girls who played the game at the time. I continued to play through high school and received a scholarship to play for George Fox University. At the time I wasn’t good enough to even make the lineup. I worked very hard on my game and started to show drastic growth.

By my senior year, I helped lead my team to Nationals, became an All-American, and had four collegiate wins. Once I graduated I knew my golf journey wasn’t over. I packed up my car and moved to Scottsdale with no money, no job and I knew no one. I began playing in Cactus Tour events and eventually turned professional.

A friend of mine had suggested using my social media to help find sponsors, so I started posting golf videos daily and from there my page took off. I never expected to become an “influencer”…it’s still strange to use that as my job description, but here we are! Now I get to travel the world, promote golf businesses and destinations and connect with followers who love the game as much as I do.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Professional golf is never very smooth. A lot of people don’t realize how much it costs to play. To play in one event is around a $700 entry fee, plus airfare, lodging, rental car, caddy fees, food, etc. It’s easily around $2,000 to play in a decent golf event. It’s a bit funny (or frustrating) because I have people on my Instagram who will dm me and say “you’re just a rich girl” or “it must be nice being rich or having your daddy pay for your trips”.

What people don’t know is when I was competing full-time I had three jobs. I worked at a golf course as a beverage cart girl for years, I worked for a company helping raise money for charities and I was pimping out my Instagram and running promotions to make money. All of these things paid for my golf tournaments. I had to also find the time to practice and play well enough to make a check at the event (which rarely happened).

Influencing, however, has somewhat come easily for me. I think it’s something I’ve been very natural at. I don’t try to pretend I live a fantasy life, even though sometimes I do. I’m very down-to-earth, I am always surprised at the places my work takes me, and I am as authentic as they come. I just like to share my journey and bring people along for the ride.

The hardest part about influencer life is having thick skin. It takes a lot to get under my skin, but I would say this job isn’t for everyone. Some people think it must just be so easy, but it’s a job like anything else… Imagine if you had customers coming in every single day yelling at you telling you you’re horrible at your job or you’re a bad person. It gets old sometimes.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional golfer and media personality. I partner with brands and help promote them through my social media. I help my followers find the hot new golf companies on the market and partner with them to spread the word. I am most proud of making a difference in the next generation of golfers.

I have young golfers or their parents message me sometimes and tell me how much they love my videos or how they want to be like me when they grow up. It’s a humbling experience and it always makes me feel special. It’s nice to know I’ve been able to make a difference in someone’s life and help bring more people to this sport.

I think what sets me apart from some others in the influencer department is that I pride myself on staying very authentic. I’ve never tried to sell my body for followers or likes. It has been important to me to be a good role model for young girls in this world and set an example that you can be successful without showing off your body.

I am true to myself in what I post. I have even turned down big money deals because the company wanted me to post things that I didn’t think were authentic to me or my brand. I just try to stay real with myself and everyone else. That’s what has made me successful.

What’s next?
I have some goals for the future and what I would like to do with my career. I think I would like to expand my reach and have different branches of my career. I’d love to get more involved with television and maybe do another tv show sometime soon. But stay tuned!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.haileyostrom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileyostrom/?hl=en&__coig_restricted=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haileyostromgolf/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HaileyOstrom?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6OMaKKWc-I5mr2ygz2IOig
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@haileyraeostrom?lang=en

Image Credits
Rudy Ramirez, Chase Viken, and Rob Ballard