Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever sensation who led her team to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, has been enjoying an off-season full of throwbacks, friend catch-ups, and a little TLC at the children’s hospital. In between these wholesome moments, the Rookie of the Year seems to be giving her LPGA dreams some pause—but let’s be honest, this story has more sentimental moments than a family holiday card.
Recently, Clark made a “casual” return to her old stomping grounds in Iowa, where a sneaky little post on X (formerly Twitter, for those still catching up) revealed her reunion with former teammate Kate Martin at the beloved Iowa Children’s Hospital. X user @ouatdemii let the world in on the feel-good rendezvous, posting a heart-melting picture of Clark and Martin grinning beside hospital beds with the caption, “They went to the damn children’s hospital yesterday TOO 😭😭😭 someone give these girls their flowers NOWW.”
The kicker? This wasn’t a one-time stop-in for these former Hawkeyes. Rumor has it Clark and Martin have been regulars at the children’s hospital since their college days. Even with LPGA prep looming, Clark didn’t miss the chance to lift some young spirits, proving that her signature outside-the-arc shot isn’t the only thing fans should be raving about.
More Than Just Court Hustle: The Heart of a True MVP
Between hanging out with Kate Martin and brightening up a hospital ward, Clark’s fans couldn’t help but notice just how “on brand” her actions are. She’s well-known for her love of signing autographs, especially for the smallest of fans. One X post, shared by someone with a family member working at the hospital, hinted that “Caitlin and Kate have been regulars here, making sure they visit every chance they get.” Guess it’s safe to say that no one was surprised by the reunion of these Iowa legends.
But Clark’s trip back to Iowa comes with a slight drawback to her LPGA prep. After all, balancing hospital visits and golf isn’t exactly a skill listed on her basketball stat sheet.
Putting in Work… On the Golf Course?
Instead of spending the off-season gearing up for next year’s basketball grind, Clark has found her zen with a set of golf clubs, chasing greens in a different way. And she’s not playing around. With Martha Foyer-Faulconer, an LPGA alum with plenty of advice for Clark’s swing, guiding her, Caitlin is gearing up for her first professional pro-am golf tournament next month. She’s set to tee off at The Annika Pro-Am in Florida’s picturesque Pelican Golf Club—cue the palm trees and a breeze Clark probably won’t experience courtside anytime soon.
But while her college teammates are grinding in the new Unrivaled League, Clark is taking a hard pass on the extra basketball reps. Instead, she’s fully committed to showing up polished on the links. “I’m really looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range, participating in the Women’s Leadership Summit, and, of course, teeing it up in the pro-am with Annika,” Clark shared.
Her swing coach agrees: “It’s part of her DNA—she’s driven to do everything well. Her progress has been amazing, but she’s going to keep at it,” Foyer-Faulconer told Golfweek.
Caitlin’s Game Plan: From Hoops Hero to Fairway Fiend?
Will Caitlin’s patient fans see her shooting more birdies than three-pointers soon? Well, we’ll see if her enthusiasm on the course matches her fire on the court. The LPGA landscape is no joke, so if she wants to make waves here, her golf prep might have to ramp up a little (hospital visits notwithstanding).
But hey, we’re just here for the ride, whether that means Clark shows up as a golf pro or keeps racking up jaw-dropping stats on the court. Either way, fans know they’ll be seeing Caitlin Clark on some scoreboard, somewhere, making waves and taking names—hospital selfies and all.