Born and raised in San Diego, California, where he initially split his athletic interests between soccer and golf. Got started in golf around the age of nine and set his sights on professional golf by his early teens.

Said in a 2025 interview with San Diego Magazine, "The most fun I had was in high school, when we were at Torrey Pines and the sun's setting over the ocean and we're scrambling to finish on the ninth hole in the dark."

Got his start in golf hitting at the driving range of a local public course, as his father, Stefan, wouldn't allow Xander to play golf with him until he could carry his own bag for 18 holes. Around the time Xander was nine years old, the family joined Bernardino Heights Country Club and Xander played his first 18-hole round.

Made a cameo appearance in Happy Gilmore 2, released on Netflix in July 2025.

Father, Stefan, is half-German and half-French; he grew up in Germany with aspirations of competing in the Olympics as a decathlete. After completing compulsory military service in the German Air Force, Stefan began training for the 1988 Olympics. In November 1986, a head-on collision with a drunk driver left Stefan badly injured and blind in his left eye (a piece of windshield pierced his eye), ending his athletic career.

Mother, Ping-Yi Chen, is from Taiwan but grew up in Japan.

Two of Xander's great grandfathers -- Richard Schauffele and Johann Hoffmann -- played professional soccer in Europe. Richard Schauffele played for VfB Stuttgart until his mid-20s, when he turned his focus to track and field and won numerous national and regional championships in Germany. Richard qualified for the 1928 Olympics as a discus thrower, but he was unable to compete due to injury. Johann Hoffmann played professionally in his native Austria, France, and Czech Republic throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and he notably made a start for the Austrian national team in 1929.

Played one season at Long Beach State University (2011-12) and three seasons at San Diego State University (2012-15).

In three seasons at San Diego State, earned two individual victories, garnered a 2015 All-America Third Team selection, and broke the school record for career scoring average (71.50).

In his lone season at Long Beach State, earned one individual victory and was named the 2012 Big West Conference Freshman of the Year.

Won the 2014 California State Amateur Championship, as he defeated Beau Hossler in the championship match at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad. Notable past champions of the event include Ken Venturi (1951, 1956), Gene Littler (1953), Johnny Miller (1968), John Cook (1975), Mark O'Meara (1979), and Jason Gore (1997).

Runner-up finisher at the 2014 Western Amateur, where he fell to Beau Hossler in the championship match.

Qualified for match play at the 2013 and 2014 U.S. Amateur Championships, notably reaching the Round of 16 at The Country Club in 2013.

Prepped at Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, California, winning the individual state title at the 2011 CIF State Boys Golf Championship at Poppy Hills Golf Club. Notable past champions of the CIF State Boys Golf Championship include Rickie Fowler (2006/Murrieta Valley High School) and Patrick Cantlay (2010/Servite High School).