Wisconsin sophomore Grace Slocum has carried a breakthrough summer into the 2026-2027 collegiate golf season, combining improvements in her short game with a growing sense of confidence on the course.
A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Slocum captured the 35th GAM Women’s Championship in June before opening her sophomore season with a fourth place finish at the Badger Invitational and a tie for 18th at the Fighting Irish Classic.
Slocum recently joined CGN’s Bobby Goldstein to discuss her introduction to golf, the transition to Wisconsin, her approach to managing pressure and the summer work that helped elevate her game.
Grace Slocum Career Highlights
- 2026 GAM Women’s Champion: Won the 35th GAM Women’s Championship at St. Clair Golf Club, finishing at 1 under par.
- 2025–26 Freshman Season: Competed in six tournaments for Wisconsin, recording a career low round of 71 twice at the Westbrook Invitational.
- Arizona Thunderbird Intercollegiate: Led Wisconsin with a 34th place finish at 13 over.
- 2024 AJGA: Recorded two top 10 finishes.
- Four Time First Team All State: Earned honors from 2021 through 2024 at St. Francis High School.
- Three Time Regional Champion: Won regional titles from 2022 through 2024.
- Three Time Conference Champion: Captured conference titles from 2021 through 2023.
- 2024 High School Regional Champion: Helped St. Francis win the regional team title while posting a 71.4 scoring average.
- Four Time State Qualifier: Helped St. Francis qualify for the state championship in all four high school seasons.
Growing Up Around Golf in Michigan
Golf has been part of Slocum’s life since childhood. Her father briefly played collegiate golf, and she grew up visiting the driving range with her family and twin brother, Josh.
After moving to Traverse City at approximately six years old, Slocum became involved in local junior golf programs before progressing to tournaments throughout Michigan and national junior competitions.
In 2024, she recorded two top 10 finishes on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) circuit. She explained that competing against other future Division I golfers helped prepare her for the demands of collegiate competition.
Slocum also enjoyed an accomplished high school career at St. Francis, earning four First Team All State selections, three regional championships and three conference championships. She helped the program win a regional championship in 2024 while recording a 71.4 scoring average.
Those experiences helped her develop the confidence to shoot low scores and remain composed when playing well.
Finding Her Place at Wisconsin
Slocum chose Wisconsin because she wanted to remain in the Midwest while attending a university that would challenge her academically and athletically.
A neurobiology major, she values Wisconsin’s academic opportunities and the resources available to student athletes. Fellow Michigan native and Wisconsin teammate Kate Brody also helped introduce her to the program.
Despite her successful junior career, Slocum acknowledged that the transition to Division I golf was challenging.
During her freshman year, she sometimes questioned whether she belonged at the Big Ten level, describing the experience as imposter syndrome.
Support from her older teammates helped her navigate those feelings and become more comfortable competing for Wisconsin.
Slocum played 29 rounds during the 2025 to 2026 season, recording a 76.24 stroke average. She gained experience competing both in the Badgers’ lineup and individually, including a spring performance at the Westbrook Invitational where she shot 71 twice.
A New Approach to the Mental Game
One of the most interesting parts of Slocum’s conversation with CGN was her approach to staying focused during a round.
Rather than thinking about her projected final score, she divides 18 holes into three hole segments, setting a goal of making one birdie during each stretch.
After every three holes, she resets her focus and begins again.
The strategy helps her stay in the present instead of becoming distracted by the possibility of shooting a personal best.
Slocum emphasized that the approach does not mean forcing aggressive shots or chasing birdies when conditions do not allow it. Instead, it gives her a manageable way to approach each round while maintaining her course management.
Short Game Improvement Fuels Sophomore Success
Slocum credited much of her recent improvement to focused short game practice during the summer.
She explained that her golf swing has remained largely unchanged since her freshman season. Instead, she concentrated on putting, chipping, wedge play and recovering from difficult positions around the greens.
During practice, she deliberately placed herself in challenging situations to improve her ability to get up and down.
That work has helped her maintain competitive scores even when her ball striking is not at its best.
The results have been evident early in her sophomore season.
At the Badger Invitational, Slocum finished fourth and closed with a 1 under 71, a significant improvement from her 40th place individual finish at the same event as a freshman.
She followed that performance with a tie for 18th at the Fighting Irish Classic, shooting a final round 2 under 69 that included four birdies.
A Breakthrough Victory at the GAM Women’s Championship
Slocum’s summer was highlighted by her victory at the 35th GAM Women’s Championship at St. Clair Golf Club in June.
After finishing runner up in 2025, she returned to the tournament and opened with a 3 under 69 to establish a five stroke lead.
The final round became increasingly competitive as Slocum encountered difficulties on the back nine and Wisconsin teammate Kate Brody mounted a comeback.
Brody’s eagle on the 15th hole added pressure to the closing stretch, but Slocum responded with a crucial birdie on No. 17.
She finished with rounds of 69 and 74 for a 1 under 143 total, defeating Brody by one stroke.
The championship marked her first GAM victory since age 15 and provided an important confidence boost ahead of her sophomore season.
Adding to the experience, Slocum’s twin brother, Josh, served as her caddie. She noted that he regularly carries her bag in tournaments where caddies are permitted.
Slocum also spoke warmly about her friendship with Brody, explaining that their competitive relationship pushes both players to improve.
Building on a Strong Start
With a state amateur championship and two encouraging collegiate performances behind her, Slocum enters the remainder of her sophomore season with valuable experience and growing confidence.
Her development reflects an emphasis on short game execution, mental preparation and trusting her ability to compete at the Division I level.
For Slocum, the next stage of her collegiate career is about continuing to build on those improvements while representing Wisconsin.
Watch the full CGN+ interview with Grace Slocum below.
Player Profile: Grace Slocum | Wisconsin Women’s Golf