Charlie Bristow travels America playing golf. When he’s not on the road, he lives at home with his parents and works in the local grocery store. 

Charlie plays out of Oak Marsh, a public course in Minnesota. His best ever score is a 73 and yet he has more than 55,000 devoted followers of his @charliesgolfingclub account on Instagram.

Charlie has autism and scoliosis of the spine. Now 26, he took up golf in 2009 after attending a golf class for children with disabilities at the Courage Center in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Four years later, he underwent major back surgery to address a severe bend in his back. “After Charlie got straightened out, he got taller," explains his father Bill, who is retired and now travels the United States with Charlie, caddying for him and documenting his progress. “He had to essentially invent his own swing.”

The result is a golf swing quite unlike any other. This extraordinary action and efforts to raise money for autism charities have made Charlie Bristow a social media star. In 13 years of touring, he has played 254 courses and raised more than $58,000. 

We caught up with Charlie and Bill after they had completed their recent 31-course tour of the Midwest.

Your golf tours are epic undertakings that see you playing so many courses with so many different people. How has this helped Charlie? 

Bill Bristow: Before Charlie took up golf, and this is the biggest thing I tell people about autism, he wouldn't look you in the eye. He wouldn't shake your hand, he wouldn't talk to you and don't even think of hugging him. Now, Charlie realises golfers are fun people. 

‍Charlie has a large and loyal Instagram following. How has this grown?

Bill Bristow: In July 2022, Charlie had 45 followers on Instagram. Seven days after we got back from Montana, I posted two videos of him playing golf at Grey Wolf in Panorama, British Columbia. He was teeing off on the signature hole, which is called ‘The Cliffhanger’. It's 142 yards over a huge ravine. Charlie took his 4-hybrid and put it on the other side. (Watch video).

“I'm glad I’ve got 55,000 followers and how much people really appreciate me for what I’ve done” — Charlie Bristow

The other video was from Hole No. 5 at a course called Wildstone in British Columbia. I didn't realise that video was just going to go nuts. I now realise why it did: it’s because it shows Charlie's swing up close. That video has had 9 million views.

Charlie Bristow: I'm glad I’ve got 55,000 followers and how much people really appreciate me for what I've done, especially with golf. 

‍How can other golfers support Charlie?

Bill Bristow: We have two ways of people donating. They can either donate on the website of the individual charities that we raise money for, like Fraser, the Autism Society of Minnesota and Autism Adventures. Otherwise, if they want to pledge or donate directly to Charlie’s tours, they can send an email to charliesgolfingclub@gmail.com. We also have a GoFundMe page.

Several people donate based on how Charlie does. It's either $30 for the season based on how many holes he plays, which is usually 85 courses. We send them an email with the contact at the charity they want to donate to. 

We have other people that donate based on pars and birdies. They donate 25 cents for every par, 50 cents for a birdie and $25 for a hole in one or an eagle.

Congratulations on getting your first hole in one, Charlie! In Clippd your Player Quality for putting is currently at 86, which is the level we’d expect from a scratch golfer.

‍Charlie Bristow: I appreciate that. That makes me feel that I can do better in putting. I can read greens. I can visualise where that ball's going to go in relation to where my putting stroke goes, because I kind of have a straight back, straight through motion. 

Your stroke is very unusual with its very short backswing, but it’s highly effective!

Charlie Bristow: I take my time on putting. I never rush at a five foot putt or three foot putt. I try to just stay in the moment and make my putting routine as easy as possible.

And we can see from all the putting drills in your Clippd account how much practice you are putting in.

Charlie Bristow: I understand that putting is the answer to scoring pretty much. I take it very seriously.

‍Bill, when was the last time you and Charlie played golf together?

Bill Bristow: It's been a while. I'd slow him down. We made the determination a long time ago that I would not play with Charlie on his golf tours for the good reason that he gets invited to a lot of private courses. I don't want him to feel like I'm just there getting a free round. We're there to raise money, so if it makes them feel like inviting us back, that's great. 

Learn more about Charlie and support his efforts via @charliesgolfingclub

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