Inside the Ropes with Caleb Surratt
McConnell Golf connected with rising golf star Caleb Surratt for an exclusive Q&A about his career, influences, and experiences on and off the course. In this feature, Surratt shares personal insights into his journey, his time with Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team, and how the McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship Program shaped his development.
Who has had the biggest influence on your golf career?
CALEB: “My father, Brent Surratt, has undoubtedly had the biggest impact on my career. He has helped me become the man I am today; he has given me an unbelievable image of what a great man looks like. So, he has not only been the biggest influence on the golf side but also in my progression as a man. I could not be more thankful to call him my dad.”
How has playing with Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team impacted your approach to the game?
CALEB: “It’s taught me a lot; I’ve come to realize how different each of these professionals are. Growing up, I thought there was only one blueprint for becoming the perfect player. But in reality, there isn’t one — everyone has their own style and excels in their own way. I’ve been able to learn from Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, two of the best players in the world right now, on how to progress as a young player on tour. Their advice to me has been priceless, and I know it will all pay off in the long run and get me where I want to be in my career.”
What’s the most interesting part of being a professional golfer?
CALEB: “The most interesting part is undoubtedly the travel. Most people back at home that I talk to don’t quite understand how much of a grind it is. You essentially have two days of traveling before the week starts and after the weekend. Making a six-day tournament grind feel more like 10 days. Traveling across the world, shifting 13 hours and time zones, and living in a hotel can weigh on you and definitely affect the body. That is one of the things I have had to learn to enjoy and learn how to deal with in order to feel prepared every Thursday.”
What has been the most rewarding moment of your career to date?
CALEB: “The most rewarding moment of my career came before I turned professional — winning the 2023 Walker Cup with some of my best friends at the home of golf, St Andrews. It was the coolest thing ever; we had the most incredible comeback. It was one of those weeks you want to live over and over again. I think about it very regularly. As other professionals I’ve played with on that team will tell you, there aren’t many things that compare to winning the Walker Cup.”
How has your connection with McConnell Golf and participation in the Junior Scholarship Program at Providence Country Club shaped your development as a golfer and influenced your career?
CALEB: “The McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship Program helped me become the player that I am today. As a kid who wasn’t a member of any club at a young age, McConnell Golf provided me the opportunity to play and practice at Providence Country Club, which is a very nice private club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Without McConnell Golf, there’s no way I would’ve had the resources at Providence at my disposal. I can confidently say that I may not be where I am today without the opportunity McConnell Golf gave me.”
What advice would you give young golfers aspiring to play professionally?
CALEB: “Work hard and enjoy the journey. Sometimes it’s very easy [when you’re] growing up to always have your head down looking forward, although that’s not a bad thing; you can miss a lot of the little moments in your junior golf and amateur golf career that should be lifelong memories. There are so many instances in college, amateur golf, and professional golf that I used to take for granted. But now when I’m on the road alone a lot, it can be all I think about at times. Whether it was playing with friends, chatting about our rounds afterward, or grabbing pizza with my college friends, it’s all part of the journey that’s important to enjoy along the way.”
If you could sum up your philosophy toward golf and life in one sentence, what would it be?
CALEB: “In golf and in life, be the best version of Caleb Surratt.”