Earliest golf memory is hitting balls in his front yard with his dad. Was five years old when he hit one onto the roof of their one-story house, and he eventually hit a ball over it and into the backyard. Mostly a self-taught player, he estimates he had fewer than 10 lessons by his junior year of high school.

First set of clubs as a kid was a set of plastic Snoopy irons. Eventually, his grandpa, Bill Acquistapace, cut a Sam Snead 7-iron blade and persimmon head 5-wood in half and used duct tape and electrical tape for grips to provide him some "real" clubs.

Grew up playing at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, California.

Was an active First Tee - Greater Sacramento participant for 10 years, beginning at age 7 and finishing at 17. In 2011, he won the chapter's Core Value Award after being nominated by his peers.

Originally committed to the University of California-Davis his junior year of high school before garnering more attention and eventually signing with Southern Methodist University. Austin's profile rose after he beat defending champion Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke (with a birdie on the final hole) at the 2011 California State Junior Amateur. Josh Gregory, the SMU men's golf head coach at the time, was following the group.

Has a Mini Australian Shepherd, Cypress, named after Cypress Point Club and a cat, Pebbles, named after Pebble Beach.

Enjoys Bruce Lee movies, as well as his journey through martial arts.

Played four seasons at Southern Methodist University (2012-16), where he was a two-time All-American Athletic Conference selection (2014, 2016) and a 2013 All-Conference USA Second Team honoree.

Helped SMU win the 2014 American Athletic Conference Championship and qualify for match play at the 2014 NCAA Championship.

Teamed with college teammate Bryson DeChambeau for the inaugural 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, contested at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. Smotherman and DeChambeau lost to eventual champions Nathan Smith and Todd White in the Round of 16.

Won the individual state title at the 2012 California Interscholastic Federation State High School Championship, finishing one stroke ahead of Beau Hossler. Past state champions include PGA TOUR winners Rickie Fowler (2006), Patrick Cantlay (2010), and Xander Schauffele (2011).

Won the 2011 California State Junior Amateur Championship, beating defending champion Bryson DeChambeau with a birdie on the final hole. Past champions of the event include PGA TOUR winners John Cook (1975), Bobby Clampett (1977), Rickie Fowler (2005), and DeChambeau (2010).