​​15 Golfers Who Cashed In Just For Being Cool

In golf, you don’t always need to win a ton of majors to stack up endorsement deals. Sometimes, all it takes is a killer swing, a signature look, and a vibe that brands can’t resist.

From smooth operators to fan favorites with big personalities, these golfers proved that being cool is its own kind of currency. Whether it was style, swagger, or just knowing how to work a camera, they found a way to turn charm into serious cash.

15. Aaron Baddeley

Aaron Baddeley hits his bunker shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club.
Kyle Terada / Imagn Images

He had the hair, the accent, and just enough flair to grab attention. Even when his game cooled off, his image stayed hot with sponsors.

14. Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter plays his shot from the tenth tee during the LIV Golf Dallas Team Championship Finals at Maridoe Golf Club.
Jim Cowsert / Imagn Images

Loud pants, louder personality. Poulter turned his fashion-forward choices into marketing gold.

13. Smylie Kaufman

Smylie Kaufman plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament at Trinity Forest Golf Club.
Ray Carlin / Imagn Images

Smylie didn’t rack up tons of trophies, but his name alone felt like a brand deal waiting to happen. Add in a fun-loving energy and media appearances, and the cool factor was covered.

12. Natalie Gulbis

Natalie Gulbis after putting on the eighteenth green during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club.
Kyle Terada / Imagn Images

She was more than just a solid player—she was a crossover star. With magazine covers and high-profile endorsements, Gulbis leaned into the spotlight like a pro.

11. Fred Couples

Fred Couples plays from the fairway on the 12th green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Peter Casey / Imagn Images

“Boom Boom” had the kind of laid-back swagger that just made people want to root for him. Cool without trying, and sponsors couldn’t get enough.

10. Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler tees off on 18 during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin
Adam Cairns / Imagn Images

From the bright orange outfits to his social media game, Rickie knew how to make golf look fun. Even during cold streaks, his brand power stayed hot.

9. Adam Scott

Adam Scott plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament.
Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images

The swing. The looks. The accent. Adam Scott was basically designed in a lab to be a cool golfer everyone wanted to sponsor.

8. John Daly

John Daly on the 16th green during the first round of the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
Jack Gruber / Imagn Images

He may not fit the traditional “cool” mold, but Daly made being unapologetically himself into a lifestyle brand. Cigs, soda, and wild pants? Somehow it worked.

7. Michelle Wie

Michelle Wie West tees off on the tenth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Link.
Kiyoshi Mio / Imagn Images

From teen phenom to fashion icon, Wie always knew how to command attention. She made waves on and off the course, and brands followed.

6. Cam Smith

Cam Smith hits from the twelfth tee during a practice round for the 2020 U.S. Open golf tournament at Winged Foot Golf Club - West.
Brad Penner / Imagn Images

The mullet. The mustache. The mellow Aussie energy. Cam’s vibe is unmistakable, and that’s exactly what makes him marketable.

5. Tony Finau

Tony Finau tees off on the third hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.
Jim Dedmon / Imagn Images

He’s got the smoothest swing and one of the most likable personalities in golf. Brands love the combo of chill energy and family-man vibes.

4. Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson putt on the fifteenth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.
Aaron Doster / Imagn Images

DJ’s coolness comes from not trying at all. He’s the guy who wins big, says little, and somehow always looks unbothered—and that sells.

3. Lexi Thompson

Lexi Thompson hits an approach shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the U.S.
Mark Hoffman / Imagn Images

Lexi has had a massive presence since she was a teenager, and her strong yet relatable image struck a chord with fans and sponsors alike. She was always marketable, even in her quiet seasons.

Read More: 20 Golfers Who Were Basically Just Endorsement Machines

2. Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament.
Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images

He’s the golden boy with a little edge. Spieth’s mix of charm and competitive fire made him a magnet for major endorsements early on.

Read More: The 10 Biggest Celebrity Endorsement Deals of All Time

1. Tiger Woods

2019: Tiger Woods (fifth win).
Rob Schumacher / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No one cashed in on cool quite like Tiger. The red shirt, the fist pump, the aura—he didn’t just move product, he was the product.

Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Iconic Golf Swings Ever Seen

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