BREAKING SAWGRASS: TPC Sawgrass from the Tips - Ep. 1

The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the toughest tests in professional golf. That's why THE PLAYERS Championship is sometimes called "The 5th Major." And that's what makes our Breaking Sawgrass series such a difficult test - because these three golfers from the RGC Community are playing the course - from the tips - just a day after the tournament. The greens are fast and firm, the rough is long, and the water is always in play.
The "Breaking Sawgrass" series features three unique players with three different handicaps attempting to overcome three different goals:
Joe Hooks is a professional golfer and the best dressed of the three. He has the most ambitious goal in our group. Joe is a +4 handicap attempting to break 75 during his first-ever round at TPC Sawgrass.
Ben Goodly is a chef, food blogger, and all around good dude. Easily the most nervous of the group. He’s a 14 handicap and setting out to break 100.
Tom Coyne is the Senior Editor at the Golfer’s Journal. He’s also the author of four books (soon to be 5) and a podcast host. He’s a 3.1 and his goal is 90.
Big thanks to Andy Johnson at the Fried Egg for the stunning drone footage. Check out Andy and all things TFE at thefriedegg.com/
What would you shoot from the tips at TPC Sawgrass?
For more on Erik, all things Random Golf Club, merch, news and meet-ups go to randomgolfclub... and follow along at / randomgolfclub

[@daniellish8914]

Big shoutout to Ben for representing us mid-handicappers. I swear I could feel their nerves in the early parts of this video. Except for Joe - that dude drips confidence.

[@claudeljean-louis1514]

Facts

[@reuk]

The trust in the driver while pressure is mounting is understandable

[@Drangus3]

... and he pukes determination.

[@samnimer3868]

Ben ain’t no mid level handicap

[@hughjars1587]

No way Ben is under a 36 down here in Australia

[@peterblair3814]

Hit the like button the second Tom said "So i have 72 balls in my bag".. very relatable

[@sorush93]

Ben = Where we are Joe = Where we want to be Tom = Where we will end up

[@llamont2336]

Ending up a low single digit handicap isn’t a bad goal at all...

[@ReallyTooky]

Such a good observation. Hopefully we end up somewhere between Tom and Joe :)

[@sorush93]

@@llamont2336 did not mean anything bad about it mate, but its somehow how it goes for most golfers, that last step from low hcp to pro is the step most fail to take.

[@llamont2336]

@@sorush93 no offense taken at all!! I was just adding my $.02 worth of personal opinion. I want to have Joe’s game but I’ll take Tom’s if the initial is too ambitious 😁. Hit’em well!

[@matthewkeller2453]

Shiiii…they ended up at TPC Sawgrass… THAT’S what I’m jealous of.

[@IWillz1985]

As someone who regularly fights to stay below 100 I’m rooting for Ben all the way

[@williamdevoest5318]

Erik perfect summed up my game when he said “visually it wasn’t ideal but that’s gonna work”

[@haydenkestle1956]

Tom Coyne with the nod to Big Randy from NLU using the 5-wood on 3 #Salute

[@pierrerousseau6661]

Man those guys are definitely an inspiration for all the golfers, such a mood

[@liquidforce90]

"Probably a 14 handicap" but definitely more like a 30.

[@henryskiez]

Glad someone said it

[@jamesmiller7992]

Honest golf adds 15 strokes to everyone's game lol

[@h.l.4723]

Seriously. With that swing, no way a 14.

[@koda4247]

I love how you guys get called out in the next video.

[@henryskiez]

@@koda4247 Good

[@mfulone]

Tom Coyne is a legend, he's a great addition to your channel. Loved him on the NLU Ireland trip, just a good attitude and subtly hilarious. Course Called Ireland was a great read.

[@bd6839]

Ben is the man! He’s getting to play a dream course, under a lot of pressure, on camera, and against a pro at that! He may not have played well but the guy is brave AF and gave it his all! I would’ve loved to been in his shoes that day

[@busydoinnothinn]

ah yes ryan - so brave to participate in an all expenses paid trip to Sawgrass. Fuck WWII Vets, Ben is a national hero! Give him the National Medal of Honor now!

[@TroyErnestEdwards]

"It doesn't matter what score that's for - you love to see it." - a lot of heavy lifting from this quote right here

[@seanr1899]

I really like having the variety of different skilled players. Fun group. Excited to watch more

[@simenad]

Hands down the best footage i’ve seen from this course. The drone shots are amazing. The light, the color grading, very soothing. Can’t wait to see the rest of the series! Nice to see people with different handicaps too.

[@userjim83]

We all need to find someone who looks at us the way Joe looks at himself in the mirror 😂

[@garfieldcampbell8847]

😂😂😂

[@zacheryscott8282]

This is a piece of art.

[@puredistancegolf]

Can't get enough of these.

[@aaronsimpson1984]

Joe Hooks is the epitome of “look good, play good”. Dude was stone cold the first 4 holes. Hope we finishes under par!

[@TacoStacks]

I would love to golf here

[@thaas85]

If your looking for a scrub for your next video at a picturesque course. I'm your guy.

[@chrisws1878]

Sawgrass looking immaculate, hard to believe it's the day after a professional tournament. Looks like it's the day before not after.

[@johnnyhunter]

I think EAL metnions they did most of the drone flyovers before the tourney. That's why it looks so immaculate.

[@ptrekboxbreaks5198]

@@johnnyhunter correct they did. They're playing after tho

[@jonsmith3664]

Yeah that thing would be DESTROYED after a weekend.

[@Whitey_96]

absolutely loving this series so far. having 3 different skilled golfers playing a beautiful course, shows how nerves and course difficulty affects people

[@TP-fs3uz]

Great first episode. 3 golfers of different skill sets on a course where they all will feel the pain of Pete Dye. 4 down, 14 to go. Love everything about this. Audibly groaning for Ben on 4.. We all know that feeling all too well regardless of where we're currently at in our game

[@joeyzorn290]

Not sure why I’m just finding this channel, this is like the best golf content period. You get a pro, you get a low handicapper and a mid handicapper. It’s fun to watch how the three different levels play.

[@thejokeexplainer]

Fantastic to see some diversity (race & also ability, age, style, etc.) on the golf course (especially an elite one)!

[@Dale_Higgins]

Tom's home alone reference instantly makes him my favorite

[@gregherman7906]

Erik, you’re best video yet! The PGA tour should have the RGC team in charge of commentary and background music. Well done, sir!

[@rokstern7042]

Ben being 14 is why europeans look sideways at US handicaps. He doesn’t break 100 on my home course on his best day.

[@robertmcpherson7765]

This dude is not a 14 handicap in the US. Not sure what he’s smoking haha

[@samuelprescott7426]

@@0311andnice Nothing - it's all the same system now. What that tells us is that he doesn't have a handicap and is probably guessing.

[@GusPlays_NorskUnderholdning]

My thought excactly :p

[@alberto7ocampo7afc]

Ben wants to be a 14 but he’s not. All good. He will one day.

[@griffin7008]

If you’re honest about it the system works. But everyone lies lol

[@maximefiers6500]

This is what we’ve always wanted to see. Even more than the pga pro’s playing tpc Sawgrass! Definitely worth the wait ;)

[@craigprior1582]

This is so good, seeing how 3 different handicaps play the same course/holes and how they relate to their handicaps.

[@joshlee3786]

This type of content is oozing with purity ❤️

[@TheGolfClan]

So cool watching 3 golfers at different levels battle a similarly difficult goal on a course that looks like a dream.

[@TMar1961]

I just recently found your channel and then binged it for a week. I have to say it's the most entertaining golf channel on youtube bar none.

[@ZaxDrumsandGolf]

Love Eriks commentating!! That would be awesome to play that course!!

[@scottbieber1731]

I lived 20 minutes from there for years! Went to a lot of TPC tournaments! I've played that course 8 times! I got Pete Dyes autograph on a golf ball one day! I moved from there to Green Valley Arizona for a year and moved to Chiang Rai Thailand, been here for 10 years now.

[@jamesdurkin3583]

That was beautiful. Massive props to the camera and post production teams. Looking forward to the next one.

[@stephencolor2010]

Joe's style is level unlimited.

[@Nick-dw8nd]

Just fantastic content. Best golf channel on KZbin.

[@RandomGolfClubFilms]

That means a lot, Nick. Appreciate it 🙏

[@2ScoopsCoops]

I swear the production value on this is better than the PGA!!

[@AdamPeeGuerra]

the sultry voice of EAL and some prime amateur golf at TPC Sawgrass...man this series is awesome

[@bohnigolf8740]

These series are so good (production quality and content). Could be on Netflix. This especially made me try Sawgrass myself, although on a simulator setup. Pulse went up on that 17th hole :)

[@stanwright7723]

‘The man has a confident stance over the ball... must be because he’s really good at golf’ Hahahaha! That made me laugh - love the work Erik

[@davidwarford7054]

Absolutely loved every minute of this!! Well done👌🏻

[@chaseturknett]

Love this content. I’m a Jacksonville native going on 24 years and I’ve been going to The Players since I can remember. I love Jax and the beaches.

[@ROUGHGOLF]

The course looks amazing for having the Players so recently. Love to see some weekend warriors on Sawgrass too!

[@billw5823]

This course gets a ton of play and it really holds up well. The fairways come back quick from divots and the firm greens don't make crater marks when you hit a 9 iron in there.

[@TJShoop]

The beauty of this course mixed with the editing skills of this team... if you told me this course was in heaven I'd believe you.

[@DanWessonSpecialist]

Rare to see a course that lush looking right after an entire week of practice and tournament action. A testament to the club and the grounds crew.

[@tomdaly8385]

I really appreciate that the commentators are cheering on the high handicappers. I can relate. Hi handicap golf is a lot of inconsistencies and the occasional really good shot.

[@chrislake552]

Played a month ago and #17 was 1 of the most nerve wrecking tee shots ever! I was over the ball and my arms and hands were shaking. Took a step back and a couple of deep breaths and pured my 9i on the green in front of the groups that were waiting. Felt like a boss and then I 3 putted for bogey.... -___-

[@infamousscut573]

Best golf video ive seen yet 👍👍

[@chaoscjc]

That is how I am going to play, like a skeleton. - Tom Coyne just a great line

[@JaimeSiordia]

Was so pumped and inspired by this that I ditched work to go play 18. I hit 105. So like Ben, will try to break 100 this summer!

[@beemoney19]

My grandparents used to be members at Sawgrass in the 90's. So when I visited them as a kid I would play their 'public' courses, two of their 3 nine-holes. Not a great way to learn golf, honestly, for a kid. So Ben, I feel your pain, man. That place is no joke. Long, hilly, lots of water, lots of sand, lots of trees, nothing easy or safe or comfortable. And heaven help you if its humid. Yuck. (Nostalgia to 100 for those green range ball bags)

[@etiennenikles9623]

I love RGC films

[@texanmunk]

I'd been waiting for a long time for this type of content. Thank you RGC. This would be a fun experience..

[@estebanmoreno6568]

Im 23 and been playing since mid-quarantine and I have to say I love to see the different levels of golfers on the channel... It just gets me so hyped to go out and play! Keep killing it RGC team!

[@colteniceman]

I think I could take some of these courses on, love the variety of golfers and always cheering for the underdog! Go Ben! Hope he breaks 100!

[@lmanford1376]

So dope. Good on EAL for this series.

[@kristjan2838]

I take it all back. Even sans EAL this was superb content. Joe, the king of clean, loving all the Rhoback.

[@SydneyRayGolf]

This looks like so much fun!

[@DLOo8]

Let’s go Ben! Give it hell buddy!

[@irishokiefool]

man i love this format!

[@BucsGolf]

It's players week once again. Time to break out breaking Sawgrass!

[@momurda0937]

I'm so excited! I've been looking forward to this!

[@chrisnormanable]

Best episode.Tom what a legend.

[@JordanHacheyGolf]

This was amazing! Can't wait for the rest of it.

[@RandomGolfClubFilms]

Thanks, Jordan! Appreciate you letting us know. We had a blast making it.

[@dudee145]

Super pumped to see how you guys do at Sawgrass!

[@thomasbodde55]

Anybody get a small laugh that the pro golfer's last name is...Hooks!

[@RandomGolfClubFilms]

Hahahahaha I didn't until you mentioned it.

[@fishflake1209]

Better a Hooks than a Cruickshank.

[@Justin-jy6vm]

The second I heard it, I thought, "helluva golf name" lol

[@johnnyhunter]

Well, thru 4 I'd have to say these guys are all playing up to their self-imposed expectations. Remember, Ben said he was actually trying to break 110. Amazing production quality all around as usual, RGC. Can't wait for the other parts to drop!

[@jonwest3552]

Erik, I’m loving the smooth commentary!

[@jackhanson6397]

Par 3 course hole in one counts no question right?

[@brianarzac1768]

THIS IS A DREAM!!!! Unfortunately the reality is I’ll never be able to reach that dream. It’s awesome what you’re doing. I wouldn’t be able to hold it in. I’d prob shed a tear on the first tee.

[@all-timealien4483]

“You can talk to a fade but a hook won’t listen.” Those are some wise words

[@nikhilvaidya4604]

This is awesome content: shows just how hard these courses are to the everyday golfers Can’t wait for the rest of the series. You guys should do one after Torrey Pines as well (and I would be more than happy to volunteer to be the high handicapper)!!

[@coloradokid6807]

I have been watching RGC and EAL channels for a while now. Every time, the videos are on another level. Keep up the amazing content I can't wait to see what's next. I am a part of the Veterans Golf Association and would love to invite you to AZ for our regional championships for a round during our practice round. Cheers

[@jerramoshea8164]

What an opportunity, great concept. That course is immaculate...wow. 😶

[@benjaminmouton8388]

This is a really cool video. I actually met Ben at the Zurich a few weeks ago. Had a conversation with him while Homa was looking for his ball. Small world

[@TheBub2015]

This video format is dope

[@AlexAnthonyProductions]

Courses still closed in Toronto... This is the content I needed 🙏🏻

[@jdub4452]

Wow... that’s crazy

[@ZMuckle]

Love the production quality guys

[@MaxRougier]

What an immaculate course and fine group of fellas ! Great vid

[@robrashiv]

EAL’s commentary = 💰!

[@ctrskistad]

Well done fellas!

[@jr237638]

Course looks more pure than during the Players broadcast. Lfg RGC.

[@RandomGolfClubFilms]

Appreciate that.

[@peterdolan7430]

Love this new series! I’ll vote myself to join the next round! Love it EAL

[@matthewfreelove3353]

Editing is so good on this channel. Enjoyed that 👌🏻

[@brettbutler2219]

Incredible production. Keep it up!

[@chasemykleby7338]

I played the players tees when I went (I’m a division 2 college golfer) it’s no joke when the wind blows

[@walkinguphill5178]

Just found this channel, looking forward to back-watching their other clips!! Kudos to the narrator, one thing I can’t stand is yelling/shouting an explanation for golf, or anything for that matter. An effort we’ll done gentlemen

[@CC-tw6su]

Ben is the king of reverse pivot.

[@craig3883]

Yes This is going to be an excellent golfing series to rival big break

[@garyrae5413]

Fan bloody tastic ,thanks boys,loved it.

[@larrybranchii]

Joe Hooks. 🐐

[@Ahdrian8605]

Awesome vid! Love to see sawgrass like this! 🙏🏼🙌🏽

[@MMuunncchhiieess]

Joe is the best-dressed golfer I've ever seen. I didn't think you could look cool on the golf course while actually wearing 'golf clothes' :D

[@mattlawrence6342]

Great idea. Enjoying it. Thanks

[@timhouston1638]

So good, I need the next one. Thanks for a wonderful video.

[@strut55]

Erik's commentary sounds like it is a mix of Jim Nantz and the narrotor from The Wonder Years. Love it!

[@leftoff77]

Loving this. Great concept, really relatable, and really fun.

[@timvanmonero2720]

this is an absolute quality video. great editing, great imaging, great voice over. have to say, a great great video. really! 👍

[@Stevethe11th]

Also don't know if Ben is reading the comments or will ever see this but from one high handicapper to another the only advice I can give you is to ditch that putter. I used an old poorly designed putter for years because I didn't believe a 200 dollar putter could be worth it, but I eventually got the TaylorMade spider with a nice white strip down the middle and everything within 5 feet became automatic and I started to have a reasonable chance at holing longer putts. Just a little extra. Definitely go and try as many putters as you can but look for high moi putters aka a lot of mass behind the head as they're designed to be more forgiving. With the spider specifically, there's a straight shaft and double bent shaft option. I loved the double-bent shaft and thought the straight shaft was awful. But Dustin Johnson plays the straight shaft variant so who am I to say you won't like it