Meet Troy Mullins: Five Questions with Youth Inc.'s Girls' Golf Ambassador

Troy Mullins, Youth Inc.’s girls’ golf ambassador, is a former collegiate track and field athlete who made a remarkable leap into the world of golf. Known for her explosive power and competitive drive, she quickly made a name for herself as a World Long Drive competitor, where she became known for her incredible power off the tee. Despite not picking up a club until after college, Troy’s rapid ascent has inspired many, proving her versatility and relentless dedication as an elite athlete.

We asked Troy five questions about her youth sports memories, lessons learned, and more:

1. What’s your favorite youth sports memory?

Thinking back, one that really stands out for me was when I tried a jump serve in volleyball in seventh grade. I was the only one on my team, or in the league that season, to attempt and pull off a jump serve. I knew I could do it, but I had always been too afraid to try. We were at a home game, and my mom had always encouraged me to be different, so I went for it. I remember my teammates, the moms, and my coach being really impressed. Granted, I didn’t do it again, but the fact that I tried is what I remember most, the courage it took to do something knowing I might fail.

2. Who has been the most influential person or coach in your life?

I’ve had a lot of incredible coaches and have met many influential people throughout my sports journey, but someone who had a lasting impact on me as an athlete was Coach Chuck Debus. He was my track and field coach outside of school, and his lessons really stayed with me. He helped me understand how to be strong both mentally and physically. He pushed me through incredibly tough workouts, and I saw myself improve, especially when we trained for the heptathlon one summer. That progress gave me so much confidence in who I was as an athlete, and ultimately made me fall in love with training.

3. What’s one lesson you’ve learned through your sport that has shaped your life?

Growing up as an only child but playing team sports like volleyball and track and field, I was always thought of as an extrovert. It wasn’t until I started golfing that I realized I truly loved the peace and quiet the game gave me. Golf taught me patience—not just patience in time, but patience in learning something that didn’t come quickly, unlike other sports. It wasn’t reactionary; it required study, discipline, and mental focus. I spent countless hours not only learning the swing but also the mental side of the game. That shaped not just my approach on the course, but who I am as a person—as a daughter, granddaughter, sister, and now a wife and mother.

4. What advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?

At 10 years old, I was more physically developed than most kids my age, and I was made fun of for it. I started running track at eight, often competing against 12 and 13 year-olds. And trust me, no teenager wants to get beaten by an eight-year-old. That experience, combined with my own naïveté, made me feel ashamed of being good at something. I often felt like I had to apologize for being talented in different sports. If I could give myself advice, I’d say: “Stop breaking yourself down into bite-sized pieces. Stay whole and let them choke”

5. What is a motto or belief that you live by?

Do. Or do not. There is no try.

More from Troy Mullins

Check out this interview with Troy Mullins and Youth Inc. boys' soccer ambassador Aaron West as they break down the benefits athletes in other sports get from golf, and why so many flock to the sport in the off-season. For more from Troy, see check out her page on Youth Inc.

You can also take a look at her site here.

Read these 15 facts about Troy Mullins from Golf Monthly.

Check out this video to learn more about her story:

For more from Troy, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube.