20 Things You Didn't Know About Charley Hoffman

Get to know PGA Tour veteran, Charley Hoffman, a little better with these 20 facts

Charley Hoffman strikes a tee shot with a driver
(Image credit: Getty Images)

20 Things You Didn't Know About Charley Hoffman

1. Hoffman was born on 27th December 1976 in San Diego, California

2. He began playing golf at just the age of 7

3. He won the California High School State Championship in 1994 and 1995, becoming the first player to win it twice

4. He graduated from Poway High School in 1995

5. Such was his talent as a youngster, Hoffman qualified for the PGA Tour's Buick Invitational three times as an amateur

6. In 1998, Hoffman was a member of the 1998 NCAA team at the University of Nevada

7. His team-mates at University included several PGA Tour stars, including Chris Riley, Chad Campbell, Bill Lunde and Adam Scott

8. He graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in communications before turning professional shortly after

9. Hoffman struggled initially on the Buy.com Tour, now the Korn Ferry, making just four cuts out 19 cuts in 2001

10. His breakthrough year came in 2005, when he recorded a runner-up finish and eight top-10s to earn $212,322 and secure his PGA Tour card for 2006

11. Hoffman finished 82nd on the 2006 PGA Tour Money List. The next year, he would pick up his first PGA Tour title at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in a play-off, with the win he moved inside the top 100 of the World Rankings for the first time

12. In 2009, Hoffman married wife Stacey, whom he had known since graduating from Poway High School

Hoffman with a trophy

Hoffman's last PGA Tour victory came at the 2016 Valero Texas Open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

13. A second PGA Tour win wouldn’t come until 2010 at the Deutsche Bank Championship. From there, he recorded further PGA Tour wins at the 2015 OHL Classic at Mayakoba and 2016 Valero Texas Open

14. At the 2015 Masters, Hoffman fired a a first-round 65 to lead by four - the biggest lead after one round since 1941. He went on to finish in a tie for 22nd place after a closing 78

15. Hoffman’s hobbies include snow skiing, jet skiing and barbecuing 

16. His best major result came in 2017 when he finished on his own in eighth place at the US Open at Erin Hills

17. In 2017, he was picked to represent USA in the 2017 Presidents Cup

18. Along with the pick, he reached a career-high 20th in the World Rankings that year

19. In 2022, Hoffman apologised to his fellow PGA Tour pros after the American launched a scathing attack on the PGA Tour following his second round at the WM Phoenix Open. The attack was in relation to a rules violation

20. He has amassed almost 500 starts on the PGA Tour and currently sits inside the top 40 of the PGA Tour's career money list 

HOW FAR DOES CHARLEY HOFFMAN DRIVE THE BALL?

During the 2023 PGA Tour season, Hoffman averaged 306.1 yards off the tee, which ranked him 50th in Driving Distance. The year before that he averaged 309.6 to sit 24th in the long drive rankings.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x