Copyright Essentially Sports
While most kids in the UK were trading Pokémon cards over Happy Meals and washing down Haribo sweets with Coke, a young Charley Hull sat at her family’s table, eyeing homemade Polish cuisine. No fizzy drinks. No McDonald’s. No exceptions. Fast forward to October 2025, and the now 29-year-old LPGA star isn’t shy about crediting her mother’s iron-fisted approach to nutrition. During the Hanwha LifePlus International Crown in South Korea, Hull spoke with Golfweek about her upbringing. And she didn’t mince words when discussing modern parenting. Hull’s childhood diet was remarkably strict by today’s standards. She wasn’t allowed a single fizzy drink until she turned 12. McDonald’s was completely off-limits. Haribo sweets? Forget about it. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Her mother, Basienka, who explored her Polish heritage through traditional Eastern European health practices, maintained an unwavering commitment to homemade, fresh, cooked food. The only treat Hull remembers? Maybe a pizza on Friday. That was it. Despite this, Hull doesn’t resent this upbringing. Actually, she’s incredibly grateful for it. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad “As an adult, I’ve never craved it,” Hull told Golfweek. The strict dietary boundaries her mother enforced created eating habits that stuck. She doesn’t desire the junk food that defines so many modern diets. Then Hull dropped the bombshell that’s turning heads across social media. She didn’t hold back when discussing what she sees happening with today’s parents. She watches them hand their children cans of Coke and unlimited sweets. And she’s blunt about what that means. “The child probably thinks, ‘Oh, they’re the best parents ever,'” Hull said. “No, you’re killing your kid. You are, though, really, aren’t you? Feeding your body toxins.” Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports It’s a harsh assessment. But Hull stands by it completely. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Her mother’s approach, though restrictive, created something valuable. Hull never developed cravings for junk food. She naturally gravitates toward healthier options. And she credits this entirely to those early years of discipline. The World No. 5 golfer, fresh off her September 2025 Kroger Queen City Championship victory, sees a direct connection between her childhood diet and her current success. She maintains her health despite a grueling travel schedule and the physical demands of professional golf. Charley Hull’s disciplined lifestyle extends far beyond diet Hull’s mother didn’t just restrict what she ate. She instilled a broader philosophy of self-control that now defines nearly every aspect of the LPGA star’s life. Consider Hull’s approach to makeup. She wears it only three or four times per year. She never travels with cosmetics. She never wears makeup on the golf course. Her drinking follows the same pattern. Hull used to drink heavily at 18 and 19. But from age 20 onward, she cut back dramatically. Now she drinks only three or four times annually. Even her travel habits reflect this minimalist mindset. Hull refuses to pack a suitcase. She travels with only hand luggage and her golf bag. She never stays away for more than two weeks. She doesn’t pack going-out outfits, just tracksuits. “I see when we’re away as business,” Hull explained during the International Crown. “I’m just hotel room, golf course and just chilling.” This isn’t deprivation. It’s intentional discipline that started in childhood and evolved into a complete lifestyle approach. Hull’s controversial message to parents stems from personal experience. Her strict upbringing created patterns of self-control that extend far beyond what she eats for dinner. And now, competing at the highest levels while dealing with recent ankle and back injuries, she sees the long-term payoff of her mother’s tough love. Whether Hull’s harsh assessment resonates with health-conscious parents or alienates those with different philosophies remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: she’s not apologizing for speaking her mind.
