Golf World Mourns Barstool Star Cody Beef Franke After Sudden Death at 31
Tragic news has shaken the sports and entertainment world as beloved Barstool Sports personality Cody Beef Franke has passed away suddenly at the age of 31. The media organization confirmed that Cody, affectionately known as “Beef” by fans, died over the weekend following what has been described as a sudden medical issue.
Reports reveal that Cody Franke was in the Dominican Republic attending a wedding when the unexpected medical emergency occurred. His colleague and close friend Dan “Big Cat” Katz shared the heartbreaking announcement on Monday morning, calling the loss “devastating” and “impossible to put into words.”
Who Was Cody Beef Franke?
Known by his nickname “Beef”, Cody Beef Franke cultivated a strong identity as a golf instructor and content creator. He joined Barstool Sports at the end of 2024, becoming part of the podcast Fore Play and increasing his profile significantly.
Before his Barstool fame, Cody Beef Franke was a PGA of America professional; for example, an industry piece described how Franke’s “swing tips” turned him into a social-media star. He worked at golf clubs such as Thornberry Creek at Oneida in Oneida, Wisconsin.
We are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody “Beef” Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/KPua67hCJW
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) October 27, 2025
While the exact age at time of death is reported as 31, other sources earlier show posts referencing him in his 40s (e.g., one Instagram post said “Happy 49th birthday to my brotha.”)
Information on his height and weight is not publicly verified in trusted sources at this time. Cody Franke had built a strong presence on Instagram under the handle @barstoolbeef_, where he connected with nearly 43.8K followers.
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Career Highlights
Joined Barstool Sports in December 2024, as a “common instructor for the common golfer.” Quickly became a favorite among golf-content fans for his approachable style and social-media presence. His work on Fore Play and related Barstool Golf content increased his visibility beyond traditional golf instruction. Prior to Barstool, his role as PGA Head Golf Professional was profiled by KemperSports.
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “You will never find a nicer or more genuine person than Beef.” His co-hosts and Barstool colleagues echoed those sentiments, describing Cody as “the sweetest dude ever” and a “truly kind and joyful soul who always made others smile.”
Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news. You will never find a nicer more genuine person than Beef. It’s hard to even process it right now. Just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised and to live each day to its fullest. #Ripbeef https://t.co/k88o2tnzJB
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 27, 2025
The announcement from Barstool’s podcast read: “We are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody Beef Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend.”
Tributes & Impact
Tributes poured in from colleagues and fans alike:
Co-host Dan “Big Cat” Katz said: “Beef was the absolute best… we will miss him.”
Golf personality Paige Spiranac commented: “He was such a kind and good person.”
Many fans posted: “RIP, Beef. Will be missed.”
His death has left a void in the golf-social-media world, where content creators bridging instruction and entertainment hold growing influence.
Legacy and Looking Forward
Cody Beef Franke approach to golf—making the sport accessible, breaking down swing tips for everyday players—resonated widely and helped grow Barstool Golf’s brand.
His social-media presence, instructional videos, and friendly persona made him relatable to a broad audience of golfers.
Moving forward, his legacy may inspire others in the niche of golf content creation: from instructor-to-influencer models to social-media-driven golf-education communities.
Final Thoughts
Our deepest condolences to Cody Franke’s family, friends, and the entire Barstool Sports team. His impact on the golf content world was meaningful, and his positive attitude and instructional style will be remembered. Though his time was cut tragically short, the swings he influenced, the students he helped and the laughs he shared will continue to echo in the golfing community.
