Got started in golf at Mount Lebanon Golf Course, a 9-hole municipal course with a history dating back to 1907. The Shipleys later became members at St. Clair Country Club.

Graduated from Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Central Catholic High School. Other notable alums of the school include Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino (Class of 1979), two-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Marc Bulger (Class of 1995), and actor Zachary Quinto (Class of 1995).

Earned a degree in quantitative finance from James Madison University (in just three years) and earned a master’s degree in data analytics at Ohio State University.

Fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL football) and Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB baseball). Grew up attending Steelers games and noted, “In Pittsburgh on Sundays, a Steelers jersey is appropriate attire at church. We embraced that.”

Attended a practice round for the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club with his father, Neal Shipley Sr. A huge Tiger Woods fan, Neal Jr. dressed head to toe in Tiger Woods gear and sat atop his father’s shoulders as they followed Woods’ practice round. Shipley was later paired with Woods for the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament, where Shipley earned low amateur honors.

Is a Play Yellow Ambassador. Play Yellow is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign with support from Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and the PGA TOUR to bring the entire golf world together to help the 10 million kids treated at local children's hospitals each year.

Presented the 2025 Lending Hearts Friend Award by Lending Hearts, which, according to its website, “creates a caring community for children and young adults living with cancer, offering support and connection for them and their families.” Shipley said of the honor, “My experiences volunteering with pediatric oncology patients and their families during college deeply impacted me. I’m committed to contributing to Lending Hearts and the incredible work they do for children and families here in Pittsburgh.”

Played three seasons at James Madison University (2019-22) and two seasons at Ohio State University (2022-24). Recorded a 72.93 career scoring average at James Madison. At Ohio State, won the 2024 Southwestern Invitational for his lone collegiate title and was a 2024 All-Big Ten Conference First Team selection; he finished the 2023-24 season with a career-best 71.35 scoring average.

Earned low amateur honors at the 2024 Masters Tournament and 2024 U.S. Open, with the latter being contested at Pinehurst No. 2, becoming the first player since Viktor Hovland (2019) to earn low amateur honors at both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year.

Runner-up finisher to Nick Dunlap at the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship, which was contested at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado.

Won the 2022 Pennsylvania Amateur Championship.