It seems that Palm Beach Gardens resident Madison Moman was born to be an athlete. “By the time she was 4 years old, she was great at most sports—but golf was the easy choice because we live at PGA National,” says her father, Matt. “She had an instant love for the game.”
At just 6 years old, she was out there practicing her swing regularly and began playing in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments on weekends. And by 13, she was old enough to enter the girls’ American Junior Golf Association competitions. “In sixth grade, I started getting home-schooled so I could be available for weekday tournament play,” says Moman, now 14 and a full-time golfer (when she’s not studying online). “My life is consumed by golf, and I love it.”
Her 2021 scoring average is 75 with an average yardage of 5,700, per the Junior Golf Scoreboard. Her U.S. Golf Association (USGA) handicap is 0.3, and she finished first alternate at the 2022 USGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier this past September. She also had 15 top-five or better finishes within a 12-month period during the 2020-2021 season, as well as two wins, per the Junior Golf Scoreboard.
In 2019, she and a partner helped Team USA win at the World Van Horn Cup when they achieved the lowest score on Pinehurst’s hole number two. That same year, the then 12-year-old got a taste of the limelight when she filmed a Citibank commercial with pro golfer Justin Thomas at PGA National Resort & Spa.
These days, Moman maintains a rigorous schedule of practice, fitness, and competition. On a typical morning, she rises at 6 a.m. and hits the practice green at PGA National by 8 a.m., usually accompanied by her father. She finishes at 11 a.m., then heads to the gym for a workout (twice a week). “I do bio-mechanics for muscle training and have added strength, flexibility, and endurance,” says Moman. “I spend 45 minutes to an hour at the gym, working with a trainer for about 30 minutes.”
Around 1 p.m., she resumes golf practice before heading home to do her schoolwork. It’s this routine that keeps her sharp, she says, crediting her golf game to her mental state—which she acknowledges is vitally important for a competitive golfer. “I believe the mental state is more important than the swing and hit,” she says. “A great mindset and positive headspace are essential to the game of golf. I do a meditation on the golf course with proper breathing, which helps me collect my thoughts and stay positive.”
On the course, she excels at the short game, so currently she is continuing to work on her power and strength. She works with a few coaches, one of whom is Matt Denzer at PGA National, who assists her with her full swing. Another of her coaches, Josh Davis of Winston Trails Golf Club in Lake Worth, sees a bright future for his young mentee. “Madison is a hard worker with a great attitude who has a feel around the greens,” says Davis. “Her dedication and love of the sport enable her to do the right thing for success.”
One thing Moman loves about playing in tournaments is having the opportunity to explore the country. “I am so lucky that I get to travel, meet new people, and see new places,” she says. “I love to experience new things. At my age, to have been to 20 states already is pretty unbelievable.”
Her talent has also led her to enjoy some pretty “wow” moments. In 2017, she was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, appearing alongside golfers Jordan Spieth and Jason Day. “We had a chipping contest, and my team won,” she recalls. “That was one of my favorite memories of all time!” She has also met many of her idols, who include local Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Morgan Pressel, and the Korda sisters.
It’s too early to know if or when she will go pro, but Moman says there is one thing she is sure about: She wants to continue to use the sport to help others. She is active in charity work and has helped raise money for organizations like the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation by playing in tournaments and doing other promotions. But it’s the Veteran Golfers Association—for which she has raised $11,000—that is very close to her heart. “I have family members who were in the military and an uncle who died by suicide due to post-traumatic stress disorder,” says Moman. “I want to do everything I can to help reduce stress in veterans. Eventually, I hope to create my own golf tournament for this cause.”
“It’s important to play golf to benefit others,” she continues. “I have learned that you can do so much more with golf, and I want to use it to make life better for everyone. That is my dream.”
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