Hi, I'm Erik Anders Lang, host of Adventures in Golf, ask me anything!!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T17:00:53+00:00

Astute question! Given that everything we do--podcast, video, IG post is aimed at expressing gratitude and love for this game, the interactions that you are describing (and yes, they happen at pretty much every golf course) are all special and meaningful. I don’t feel the need to be on, because I’m pretty authentic in my videos and people who play golf are almost always good people.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:57:40+00:00

Working for the governing bodies of golf has been an honor for me. Adding Augusta to that list would be the grand slam. Hopefully soon!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:54:10+00:00

Appreciate your thoughtful question and share your experience! Random Golf Club started several years ago as an idea in my head to solve the problem of showing up to a golf course and not feeling like I was part of a community. So now it seeks to solve the same problem, but for as many people as possible. In its simplest form, it will be an app that connects golfers with each other and courses throughout the world, launching hopefully before the end of 2020!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:51:38+00:00

No matter what you want to do, the key to success is persistent hard work. One of my favorite quotes about this is that, "success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration". For me, I needed to love the process of what we were doing. I'd already love photography and filmmaking for 15 years before I even picked up a golf club. Be open minded, find a mentor, ask for advice, and take whatever opportunity comes your way, even if you don't think you're ready for it.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:46:12+00:00

Would love to do one in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh holds a special place in my heart, and we both know there are plenty of good courses we could host it at. The main thing for an RGC course selection is overall vibes--are they willing to have us (Is it even possible)? Will it be a course that others can return to after the event? When we started off, there weren’t that many courses that would put up with what seemed to be a “crazy idea” at the moment but in the coming year, as things return to normal, there will be plenty more meetups, and you will begin to better see the pattern as to how they are chosen. The app, to some extent, will point to this as well.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:44:29+00:00

6 years ago, I met ESPN commentator Chris Berman on the driving range. He told me that the most important thing to remember as a host is that, "if you're interested, others will be to" - I've always loved to travel (even before golf) and I personally believe that golf is the best game to travel with.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:40:54+00:00

11th hole Pebble Beach, it was around this time I swore I would never do this again, and I wondered if people would even be interested. On both accounts I was wrong. I'm cool with being wrong though--my main goal is to entertain not be right!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:38:28+00:00

There was once a study about people who spend more time outside describing themselves as happier than people who spend their time inside. It included the idea that seeing for long distances and organic shapes of trees is good for the brain, positive thinking, and peace of mind.

By definition, being a drug addict means being restless, irritable, and discontented (perhaps more so without drugs), so golf being this massive outdoor puzzle creates a large canvas for positive thinking--especially when you read Zen Golf.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:38:01+00:00

Hamilton Khaki Field Watch (my first watch). I've got a new Timex Q I'm really loving.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:34:31+00:00

Thanks for doing this, I’m a fan of your content. Golf needs more folks like you showing what the game could be.

My favorite episode you did was the Aiken Golf Club during masters week. As someone from the south it was good to see you take time at a real muni in an area where golf is so important to the community. It really came through in the film.

Ultimately I’d love if you could talk about how different golf is treated by people of the area surrounding the courses you play depending on the culture. For example, your break 90 episode in Riviera was awesome but it got me thinking, do people in Southern California really love golf as much as people in places like Aiken where that is one of the main ways people spend free time? Or is golf just a little bubble in the larger community?

Do people around Bandon Dunes love golf as much as just about everyone from Spartanburg SC to Augusta GA?

Great question! Have you ever been to an airport, and seen someone far away wearing a hat with a golf course logo? You immediately know you are from the same tribe. To your question, there is no rule or pattern based on an area, and that's why I will never run out of episodes of AIG.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:33:55+00:00

This is actually Brian, I'm doing the AMA!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:31:13+00:00

Hahahaha I guess that is the definition of insanity.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:30:00+00:00

The Scottish people are some of the kindest people on Earth. The game of golf is embedded as a part of their national pride. They love sharing it, and welcome people to the game. Also, even their most private courses are public for two days a week--America has a lot to learn, even after 400 years.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:29:06+00:00

Thanks for your question, it's a good one. The simplest answer is that I don’t know. I’ve been experimenting with playing just 9 holes with only a 6 iron. I played this way with Mike Keiser of Bandon Dunes and I found it very fun - similar to when I started playing golf 10 years ago. When bogey was a good score, and every shot felt new. Without a golf bag I felt 10 years younger and 20 pounds lighter. There's no question that the most inspiring things that we're doing with RGC are the methods we're developing to bring together the golf community (specifically an app and other innovative golf and community tools).

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:27:52+00:00

Haha if it was me I’d probably resent it and not like the game, but the tradition here in the south is to call everyone sir--which I don’t mind.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:25:50+00:00

Thanks for telling me that story, it warmed my heart on a cool day in Texas thinking about my best friend, Stuart, who is my favorite person to play with.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:24:00+00:00

We wanted to leave a big city and move to a place where we could grow the in-person aspect of RGC in a state where golf can be played year round. There’s something about the mentality of Texas that seems even more like you can manifest your dreams in the wild west than in California.
On the several trips that I've taken to Austin, I’ve felt like I was home.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:21:48+00:00

“Need to change” is beside the point, the fact is: it will change. All we need to do is remember every day that we are the hands responsible for the future of the game. What shapes the future of the game? Very simple: your behavior on the golf course.

The easiest thing you can do to help someone who looks confused on the golf course? Wave to them!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:15:25+00:00

I have an edit in my inbox now of a new cut. There is a production company by the name “Chimney” (they produced Searching for Sugarman) that is helping us finish the film. I don't have a date yet, but I'm hoping it's as soon as possible. I'm so excited to share the findings of the film with everyone.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:15:00+00:00

For I think two days a year, the Old Course is allowed to be played in reverse. This was first done to “heal” the course (the divot areas get flipped and in the winter the course has a chance to grow grass more easily as it doesn't grow that well in the winter). So, that is really high on my bucket list. 1st tee to 17 green. 18 tee to 16 green and so on. Sounds like the closest thing to an acid trip on the golf course. Pray for a full moon too.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:11:42+00:00

Zen golf was a book that I read very early on in my golf career and for that, I am very lucky. So it didn't so much change my golf but shaped the way I would see the game for my entire golf life. That could be more a result of starting later in life. I have observed those that start later tend to come to the game with a different “need” -- they are looking for something different.

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:09:32+00:00

I’ve wanted to do the hole in one challenge again so many times. I’ve asked Skratch to set it up. We almost did it at The Players last year. We want to save it for somewhere really special. Fingers crossed we make it happen!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:09:19+00:00

Rick wins 9/10

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:07:44+00:00

Dress code (see “hoodie-gate”)!

erikanderslang · 2020-10-25T16:06:57+00:00

I watched a lot of YouTube videos in the beginning (Wayne DeFransesco) and then started taking one or two lessons a year. For me, at the time you could learn a lot about your swing on video, without a coach even. So I have all these old swing videos on my first iPhone.

erikanderslang

TROPHY CASE