Hayden Christensen · Life story
Hayden’s Life Story
A late start, a walk-on spot, two runs at professional golf, a season that tested everything, and the academy that came out of it.
- 2010–2011
A late start, a fast climb
Hayden came to golf later than most players he would end up competing against. Growing up in Vancouver, Washington, he made up the ground quickly and was named first-team all-state at Hockinson High School in 2010 and 2011.
- 2011–2015
A walk-on at 18
At 18 he moved to St. George, Utah and walked onto the Dixie State golf team, now Utah Tech University. He earned his place and competed for four years.
St. George has been home ever since.
- 2015–2017
Turning professional
After college Hayden played professional golf for about two years. Then he made a hard call: he regained his amateur status to put his family first and went to work in construction, supervising job sites for a custom home builder in St. George.
- 2019–2021
The comeback
Hayden returned to competition as an amateur in 2019 and won more than a dozen tournaments. In 2020 he won the St. George Men’s Amateur, was low amateur and tied 3rd at the Utah Open, reached the semifinals of the Utah State Amateur and was named Utah Player of the Year.
In 2021 he shot a career-low 61 at Green Spring Golf Course in Washington, Utah.
- After 2021
The hard lesson
He turned professional again with full sponsorship and trained with Butch Harmon Academy, Titleist Performance Institute and tour coaches including Mike McGetrick, Parker McLachlin and Boyd Summerhays. He came close to earning a tour card.
Behind the scores, he was struggling with his mental health and with addiction. At Rythmia Life Advancement Center, an ayahuasca journey changed everything. He got sober, connected to a higher power, and saw the vision for Christensen Golf Academy.
It taught him what he now puts first with every player he coaches: your health matters more than your score.
- 2022
Why CGA exists
Hayden came home sober, with a clear picture of the academy and a new purpose: helping other golfers get better instead of chasing only his own results. He gave his first CGA lessons in St. George in September 2022.
His aim is simple: help every student become a better golfer, a stronger person and a more resilient competitor, and let them know someone believes in them.
- Today
Still competing, still learning
Hayden is a PGA of America member on Titleist tour staff, working toward Master Teaching Professional certification through the PGA. Across 20 years he has played 250+ tournaments, including 100+ professional events, with 20+ wins.
He has played golf in 50+ US cities and 6 countries, and is the youngest overseas member of St. Andrews Golf Club, the home of golf.
“Personal health is first and foremost over everything.”
Hayden Christensen