Star Amateur Rachel Heck Announces Surprising Decision About Her Future
The former World No.3 amateur wrote a letter - published by No Laying Up - which explained the reasons behind her decision


Former World No.3 amateur golfer Rachel Heck says she has "come to realize" that it is no longer her dream to play professional golf and that she will remain an amateur indefinitely.
An ex-college golf teammate of LPGA Tour star Rose Zhang, Heck is in her senior year on Stanford University's women's golf team and has secured NCAA individual (2021) and team championships (2022) while a Cardinal.
Having also taken part in two Curtis Cups (2021 and 2022), Heck has claimed eight collegiate wins - the tied-third most in Stanford University history.
Despite looking for a long time like she would go on to take the professional game by storm as soon as she was ready, a debilitating back injury set her back somewhat and ultimately led her down a different path in life.
In a letter published by No Laying Up, the supremely-talented Heck explained that although she resumed playing while at college, she felt something was missing in her life and severe depression began to set in.
In the letter, she wrote: "Even when I was able to start playing again, I knew something was not right. I did not recognize myself anymore, on or off the course. All my joy was gone, and all my smiles were fake.
"That fall, I became severely depressed. In that period of darkness, I realized I needed something more than golf, and I vowed that I would find it. I told my parents I wanted, perhaps, to try Air Force ROTC. They told me I was crazy. It would be simply impossible to keep up with Stanford academics, Division I golf, a social life, and the military."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
A post shared by Rachel Heck (@_rachelheck_)
A photo posted by on
Further disruption to her golf program due to a variety of different illnesses or injuries ensued and the next time Heck would play a full post-season arrived in her senior year.
"Right now, the next step is not professional golf," she continued, before going on to explain how her life - which once revolved solely around the sport of golf - now features a handful of enriching and enjoyable factors, including time with the Air Force.
Heck said: "During these turbulent years largely away from the game, I fell in love with life again. Even though the late nights of writing papers bring immense stress, I absolutely love what I study.
"Even though I dread waking up at 4 a.m. on Fridays, I cherish every memory made with my ROTC wingmen. Even though it scares me to step away from the game and into an unknown future, I could not be more excited."
Rose Zhang (R) celebrates with Rachel Heck after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2023
Heck, who qualified for the 2017 US Women's Open aged just 15, said she is looking forward to playing amateur events and "many more USGA Championships" throughout her life but knows a life out on tour is not for her due to a few key reasons.
She explained: "I was strongly considering attributing my decision to my injuries. It is true that even if I wanted to, I do not know if my body would hold up on tour. But frankly, after a couple of years of painful deliberation, I have come to realize that I do not want to play professional golf.
"I do not want a life on the road and in the public eye. I no longer dream of the U.S. Open trophies and the Hall of Fame. And I realize now that these dreams were never what my dad intended when he first put a club in my hand.
"He pushed me when I was young so that I could find myself in the position I am right now: Stepping into the future equipped with the skills to tackle any challenge and the courage to pave my own path."
Heck celebrates during the 2022 Curtis Cup singles
Going on to give further thanks to her parents for the way they brought her up to live as much of a "normal" life as possible, Heck finished her letter with: "In the spring he and my mom will pin on my Lieutenant bars. They will watch me walk across the stage and receive my Stanford degree. I will begin an internship in private equity. Golf did, indeed, take me far.
"So here’s to new roads, and new challenges. Here’s to the people who made me, me. Not Rachel the golfer. Just Rachel.
"I do not know what the future holds. However, I am grateful to God for showing me the next step, and I am grateful to the game that gave me the world."
Heck is set to graduate from Stanford with a degree in Political Science and will begin an internship in private equity after being pinned as a Lieutenant of the United States Air Force.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
'I Think We All Hoped It Would Have Been A Little Further Long, And That's No Secret' - Brooks Koepka's Echoes Recent Tough Love Towards LIV Golf
The five-time Major champion said progress is being made with the PIF-backed circuit after stating it was "quite far behind" its rivals on The Joe Pomp Show
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How You Can Play St Andrews Old Course In Reverse
You can win a tee time on the 'reversed' Old Course at St Andrews next year by shooting the lowest gross score over the virtual links this April
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Augusta National Women’s Amateur Winners: Where Are They Now?
The Augusta National Women's Amateur was first played in 2019 and, since then, a number of the tournament's winners have gone on to forge superb careers
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur 2025 Tee Times - Round One
Lottie Woad returns to defend her Augusta National Women's Amateur title, with the Amateur World No.1 getting her first round underway alongside Amateur World No.2 Jasmine Koo
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rianne Malixi Withdraws From Augusta National Women's Amateur With Back Injury
Rianne Malixi had been among the favorites going into the Augusta National Women's Amateur, but the US Women’s Amateur champion has been forced to withdraw due to injury
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How To Watch Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Live Streams, TV Channels, Schedule
This year will be the sixth running of the event, with 23 nationalities competing and with the final round played around Augusta National's iconic course.
By Roderick Easdale Published
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur 2025 Picks, Odds And Predictions
The Augusta National Women's Amateur returns for a sixth time, and many of the leading female players from all over the world will do battle in Georgia
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
T-Mobile Match Play Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda defends her title as a field of 64 competes for an eye-catching purse at Nevada’s Shadow Creek Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Left Actually A Good Four Shots Out There' - Charley Hull Shoots Career Best LPGA Round But Had A 59 On Her Mind
Charley Hull felt a 59 was on the cards as she shot a career-best 63 at the Ford Championship, but came off the course feeling she'd left at least four shots out there
By Paul Higham Published
-
Charley Hull Makes Driver Change Ahead Of Ford Championship 63
The World No.10 moved into the new TaylorMade Qi35 LS ahead of this week's Ford Championship in Arizona, where she got off to a fast start
By Elliott Heath Published