Many golf fans remember Natalie Gulbis as one of the most recognizable faces on the LPGA Tour, a player who combined impressive talent with a magnetic personality and sponsorship deals that reached far beyond the golf world. Then, it seemed like she quietly faded from the weekly leaderboards. This article will break down what happened to Natalie Gulbis’s pro career, where she is today, and what her journey can teach golfers of all levels.
Before we look at where she is now, it’s worth remembering just how big of a presence Natalie Gulbis was. After a standout single season at the University of Arizona, she turned pro at just 18 years old in 2001. She earned her LPGA Tour card on her first attempt and quickly became a consistent performer.
Her game was solid. She had a technically sound swing and the kind of competitive grit needed to stick around on tour for nearly two decades. Her hard work paid off in 2007 when she broke through for her first and only LPGA victory at the prestigious Evian Masters, securing the win in a thrilling playoff. Beyond that singular win, she compiled an impressive record with 38 top-10 finishes and represented the United States in three Solheim Cups (2005, 2007, 2009), a testament to her standing among the American elite.
But her impact went beyond her scores. Gulbis was a marketing powerhouse. With her blonde hair, bright smile, and athletic physique, she landed major endorsements and even had her own calendar and reality TV show. For a period, she was arguably the most famous female golfer on the planet, bringing a different kind of attention to the LPGA Tour and paving the way for players to build a brand as well as a career.
So, if she had the talent and the profile, what happened? The most significant factor in the later stages of Natalie’s career was something many golfers can unfortunately relate to: a persistent back injury.
Starting around 2012, she began dealing with significant lower back pain. As a golf coach, I can tell you that a back issue is one of the most debilitating injuries a player can face. The entire golf swing is built around rotation - turning your hips and shoulders away from the ball and then unwinding with speed through impact. It’s what I call the "engine" of the swing. When your back is compromised, that engine sputters.
She battled through it for years, trying different treatments from physical therapy to anti-inflammatory injections, and she still managed to play. However, she was never quite able to regain the consistent, pain-free form of her prime. In 2018, she underwent back surgery, a major step that showed her commitment to getting healthy, but a full-time return to the rigors of the Tour was looking less likely.
While injuries were playing a part physically, Natalie's life was also evolving off the course. In 2013, she married Josh Rodarmel, a co-founder of the premium sports drink company Power Balance. This new chapter in her personal life naturally brought a shift in priorities. The grind of weekly travel, practice, and competition becomes different when you’re building a family and a life away from the tour.
Unlike some athletes who are singularly defined by their sport, Gulbis had always cultivated other interests. She was an intelligent and articulate person with venture in business and media. As the physical demands of tour life became more challenging, these other avenues became more appealing. This wasn't a story of "failing to make it" but rather one of a successful woman transitioning into the next phase of her life. In 2020, she officially announced her retirement from full-time professional golf, closing a remarkable chapter in her career.
Retirement for Natalie Gulbis didn't mean disappearing. In many ways, she’s just as busy as she was on tour, just focused on a different set of challenges. Her life today is a mix of politics, business, and still enjoying the game of golf on her own terms.
Perhaps the most public aspect of her post-golf life has been her involvement in politics. A vocal supporter of Donald Trump, Gulbis spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention. In 2018, she was appointed by the President to his Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. She even considered a congressional run in Nevada in 2018 but ultimately decided against it due to her back recovery. Her political activism is a clear passion and a significant part of her current identity.
While she’s no longer playing a full-time LPGA schedule, she hasn't put the clubs away for good. She has remained an ambassador for the sport and still participates in celebrity pro-ams and occasional events, like the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. She can still play at a high level when her back allows, but without the pressure of a full-out Tour schedule. She has also contributed as an on-course reporter and analyst for broadcasts, offering her expert insights on the game she knows so well.
Thanks to her business savvy during her playing days, Natalie Gulbis has remained a marketable personality. She maintains relationships with sponsors and continues to be involved in corporate outings and speaking engagements. She effectively built a brand that could outlast her competitive career, a smart move that has provided her with opportunities long after her last official Tour event.
Natalie Gulbis's story isn't just a "where are they now?" but a relatable narrative for dedicated golfers everywhere. Her career arc offers several important lessons:
Ultimately, Natalie Gulbis didn't just disappear. She fought through injuries, achieved her goals, and then made a conscious decision to shift her focus to new ventures in politics, business, and family. She left the LPGA Tour on her own terms, leaving behind a legacy as a champion, a trailblazer, and a perfect example of what a successful life after professional golf can look like.
Natalie Gulbis’s journey highlights the physical demands of high-level golf, where an injury can alter a career, and the personal evolution that leads talented athletes to new chapters in their lives. She remains an influential figure in the golf community, having smoothly transitioned from a full-time tour player to a multi-faceted businesswoman and public figure.
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