The golf world is obsessed with the next big thing, and right now, that "thing" is a teenager with a familiar Sunday-red swing. People are constantly asking, how old is Tiger Woods' son, usually right after they see a viral clip of him twirling a club or piping a drive 300 yards. It’s wild to think about, but Charlie Axel Woods is growing up right in front of our eyes, and he’s no longer that little kid we saw fist-pumping at the PNC Championship back in 2020.
Honestly, the timeline is moving fast.
The Current Age of Charlie Woods
As of January 2026, Charlie Woods is 16 years old. He was born on February 8, 2009, in Orlando, Florida. This means he’s currently in the thick of his high school years, juggling algebra and history with the pressure of being the heir to the most famous name in the history of the sport.
He’ll be turning 17 in just a few weeks.
It feels like yesterday he was 11 years old, becoming the youngest competitor ever to tee it up at the PNC Championship. Back then, he was a novelty. Today? He’s a legitimate prospect. He’s already outdriving his dad in some casual rounds—Tiger admitted it himself at the Hero World Challenge a while back. Imagine being 15 or 16 and having a 15-time Major winner tell the media you've got more speed than he does. That’s a heavy mantle to carry.
👉 See also: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
How Old Is Tiger Woods' Son Compared to Tiger’s Own Rise?
People love to compare Charlie’s timeline to Tiger’s. It’s basically a national pastime for golf nerds. When Tiger was 16, he was already a three-time USGA champion in the junior ranks. He was a phenom who was "supposed" to change the world.
Charlie is in a different spot.
He’s not exactly "chasing" his dad’s records—that would be a suicide mission. Instead, he’s carving out a very respectable amateur career at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach. In late 2025, he helped lead his high school team to their second state title in three years, shooting a 68 in the final round. That’s grown-man golf.
- Birth Date: February 8, 2009
- Current Status: Junior in High School
- Current Age: 16 (turning 17 in Feb 2026)
- Major Milestone: Youngest-ever PNC Championship participant at age 11
The PNC Championship Effect
If you’ve watched the PNC Championship—that "hit and giggle" tournament where pros play with their kids—you’ve seen Charlie’s evolution. In 2024, at age 15, he actually hit a hole-in-one during the first round. The cameras caught Tiger’s reaction, and it was pure "proud dad" energy. They ended up losing in a playoff to Bernhard Langer and his son, Jason, but the message was sent: Charlie belongs on that stage.
✨ Don't miss: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
Interestingly, Team Woods sat out the 2025 PNC. Tiger was still recovering from another back procedure (surgery number... what, six? seven?), and he didn't want to take a spot from another team if he couldn't play at a high level. Charlie, meanwhile, spent that time grinding on the AJGA circuit.
Why the Age Milestone Matters for 2026
This year is a big one. At 16 and 17, elite juniors start looking at the "big" amateur events. We’re talking about the U.S. Junior Amateur and potentially getting exemptions into Monday qualifiers for PGA Tour events.
Remember the Cognizant Classic qualifier in early 2024? Charlie tried to qualify as a 15-year-old. It didn’t go great—he shot an 86 and had to deal with some over-eager fans getting in his space—but it was a massive learning experience. Now that he’s 16, his physical strength has caught up with his swing. He’s not just a kid with a good motion; he’s a 16-year-old athlete with serious leverage.
Living Under the Microscope
You've gotta feel for the kid sometimes. Most 16-year-olds can mess up a drive or chunk a chip without it being dissected on 𝕏 (Twitter) by a million people. Charlie doesn't have that luxury. Every time he wears a Nike (or Sun Day Red) hat, the world watches.
🔗 Read more: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
Tiger has been surprisingly open about the "mind games" he plays with Charlie. He told reporters he tries to get into Charlie's head during practice rounds, just like Earl Woods did to him. He wants Charlie to be bulletproof. If your dad is the GOAT and he's talking trash to you on the 16th tee, a high school tournament probably feels like a walk in the park.
What’s Next for Charlie?
The big question isn't just "how old is Tiger Woods' son," but rather, "where is he going to college?" He’s in the Class of 2027. Recruiters from Stanford (Tiger’s alma mater), Texas, and Florida are undoubtedly hovering.
Honestly, he might even bypass college if his game stays on this trajectory. But given how much Tiger values the "process," a year or two of college golf seems more likely. He’s currently ranked inside the top 10 of some junior national rankings, which puts him in the elite tier of his age group.
Actionable Insights for Following Charlie's Career
If you're looking to keep tabs on Charlie Woods as he navigates his 16th and 17th years, here is how to do it without the tabloid noise:
- Check the AJGA Rankings: This is the most accurate way to see how he stacks up against his peers, not just how he looks on a highlight reel.
- Follow the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA): His results at The Benjamin School are often more telling than the exhibition matches.
- Watch the USGA Amateur Schedule: Now that he's 16, keep an eye on the U.S. Junior Amateur qualifying rounds. This is where the real "next Tiger" talk will either be validated or cooled down.
Charlie Woods is 16. He’s a kid who loves his dog, probably plays too many video games, and just happens to have the most famous golf swing in the world as his DNA. Whether he becomes a pro or just a really good scratch golfer who wins his club championship, the journey is just getting started.
If you want to track his progress, start looking at the 2026 summer amateur circuit—that's where he'll truly start to define who "Charlie" is, separate from the "Woods" name.