Random Golf Club - Erik Anders Lang's site

[Jeff Schley]

EAL had this idea a couple years ago and from what I can see not much has happened in terms of activities/events to bring the people together.  I signed up a while back curiously into the community, but I haven't received any invites to events; yet he is selling merchandise (but profits seem to be donated). Perhaps it is Covid, but it is a great idea to bring new people into the game and feel welcome from all backgrounds. His focus seems to be on adults to connect and get playing partners and bring new people into the game.


There are many articles he writes and has a shop on his site, so I can see how some maybe skeptical of EAL.

Thoughts? Anyone have any experience?

EDIT: Adding links
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/15/golf/erik-anders-lang-random-golf-club-exeter-golf-spc-cmd-spt-intl/index.html

https://randomgolfclub.com/

[Mike Sweeney]

My older son introduced me to Erik, the filmmaking, walking, and talking golfer. I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera. I still prefer reading to watching, but I like his films.


Back in the old days, we had Ran's mythical "Carthage Club" which never developed per say, but Ran has had a hand in a few projects so let's give Erik and Zac some time with building projects too.


My son has Erik's dog hat, and I especially like his Iceland and Norway films of places that I may never get to, but enjoy seeing:


https://www.youtube.com/c/RandomGolfClubFilms/videos

[Kyle Harris]

Always thought it was meant to be a little de-centralized. Like the internet one finds their own thing(s) under a bigger concept. Not quite secret handshake type stuff but something where people can network with like-minded individuals.

[Bill Gayne]

I wasn't really aware of EAL until reading a recent Q&A in Links Diary. Since then I've enjoyed watching five episodes of his Official Unofficial Guide to Scottish Golf. It's worth watching for those planning a trip to Scotland or in the case of myself they've all been places I've seen but never get tired of seeing again.

[Ronald Montesano]

I would suspect that this is the case with Erik:


Propose a RGC event in your area to him. If he can make it, he will. If he cannot, he may decline. Follow that up with "I've had experience doing events/tournaments/gatherings, and the host pro will assist." Erik might do some due diligence, vet those involved and the location, and agree to be involved from afar. I also suspect that the less boujee the site (the more welcoming the course) the more likely he is to express interest.


RGC needs to grow in a way that does not exclude. You won't get bags of swag, but you will contribute to the truest essence of the game: common ground and community.

[John Kavanaugh]

Our own Brian Hoover would be the perfect ambassador to reach out to EAL. This takes me back to the day when Mike Young brought Charlie Rymer to speak at an early Dixie cup. It was a gas.

[Joel_Stewart]

I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera.

The difference being 99% of Rans photos and comments are on the golf course.  Ever notice Erik's?  90% of his photos are of him on the golf course. I stopped following him on social media because its all about him.

[Thomas Dai]

I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera.

The difference being 99% of Rans photos and comments are on the golf course.  Ever notice Erik's?  90% of his photos are of him on the golf course. I stopped following him on social media because its all about him.

Perhaps only those from the U.K. will appreciate the reference but the format does seem to have something in common with Alan Whicker and the famous Monty Python spoof Whickers Island and the not dissimilar by Enfield & Whitehouse etc Clarksons Island - - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TF2CI2P1YH8 - and - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DMuO-8S_0Wg
 
Atb

[Peter Flory]

He came out to the Belvedere Hickory tournament a few years ago and filmed an episode (he played in it too).  I would say that he was very respectful and a good guy to hang out with off camera. 

[Peter Pallotta]

I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera.

The difference being 99% of Rans photos and comments are on the golf course.  Ever notice Erik's?  90% of his photos are of him on the golf course. I stopped following him on social media because its all about him.

This is worthy of a thread/discussion/In My Opinion all on its own. (Someone like Ron, involved in golf's social media world, would be a good person to write it.) For me, Erik captures/reflects the modern approach and ethos perfectly -- it's not the place or the event that's most important, it's *my experience* of the place or event that's important. When the technology and socio-economic environment allows us *all* to be modern versions of Herbert Warren Wind, someone like Eric isn't 'selling' great golf courses X, Y or Z, he's selling *himself* -- and selling too the concept of his 'self' among many many other selves. Few people today want to be taught or preached to in a 'top down' way by an ostensible expert or elite-establishment figure; few want the ponderous 'voice over' approach to story telling from an omniscient narrator who claims to spout the 'truth'. It's all about the personal-subjective experience *as* personal-subjective experience.
In my opinion.

[John Kavanaugh]

I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera.

The difference being 99% of Rans photos and comments are on the golf course.  Ever notice Erik's?  90% of his photos are of him on the golf course. I stopped following him on social media because its all about him.

This is worthy of a thread/discussion/In My Opinion all on its own. (Someone like Ron, involved in golf's social media world, would be a good person to write it.) For me, Erik captures/reflects the modern approach and ethos perfectly -- it's not the place or the event that's most important, it's *my experience* of the place or event that's important. When the technology and socio-economic environment allows us *all* to be modern versions of Herbert Warren Wind, someone like Eric isn't 'selling' great golf courses X, Y or Z, he's selling *himself* -- and selling too the concept of his 'self' among many many other selves. Few people today want to be taught or preached to in a 'top down' way by an ostensible expert or elite-establishment figure; few want the ponderous 'voice over' approach to story telling from an omniscient narrator who claims to spout the 'truth'. It's all about the personal-subjective experience *as* personal-subjective experience.
In my opinion.

OK Boomer!!! Most young golfers I know can't stand EAL.

[Peter Pallotta]

Ha ha -- it's true, I do have boomer tendencies!
I suppose some younger golfers like him and some don't; maybe envy/jealously has something to do with it, in some cases.

[John Kavanaugh]

The young golfers I know have perfected hate to the point that envy/jealousy rarely comes into play. Cancun is nice this time of year.

[Ben Hollerbach]

The RGC Atlanta chapter appears to be very active, holding meet-ups about once a month. I believe this is the model they're really pushing, Encouraging local participation and growing the club from there.


I'd look to see if you already have an active chapter in your area.

[Ronald Montesano]

In 2015, before he sparked, he sent this audio bit to me for @buffalogolfer. No buffalos nor golfers were harmed in the making of this hyperlink: http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/2015-interview-series-erik-anders-lang/

Transparency: I am now set for life, thanks to the 16.3 GCA climbers who clicked the link (it's all about me, after all.)

[Jeff Schley]

Ron, why always the preemptive strike disclaimer that you may benefit in a small way by posting your links? I think we all get it by now. Either post it and be proud, or realize some aren't needed and refrain.

[Ronald Montesano]

I'm glad that you get it, Jeff. That puts you in the 1% of this site with such fortune. You'd be surprised, then, by the amount of negative reactions I get.

Pride in something and posting a disclaimer are not mutually exclusive.

[Ben Malach]

My older son introduced me to Erik, the filmmaking, walking, and talking golfer. I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera. I still prefer reading to watching, but I like his films.


Back in the old days, we had Ran's mythical "Carthage Club" which never developed per say, but Ran has had a hand in a few projects so let's give Erik and Zac some time with building projects too.


My son has Erik's dog hat, and I especially like his Iceland and Norway films of places that I may never get to, but enjoy seeing:


https://www.youtube.com/c/RandomGolfClubFilms/videos

This makes me cringe on a deep level. Erik is not Ran. He is a trust fund kid with a degree in film. Ran is a self-made man who has chosen to quietly share his passion and through that, he has built an organic community of like-minded people. Everything EAL does is posed and curated. EAL fell into golf filmmaking and has done little to grow the game except for charging $100 for the chance to meet him and play golf with 100 other fanboys on a $35 dollar course and call it accessible. His films reek of self-importance and ego. He is one of those guys that says he never keeps score but half the videos on his channel are him trying to score or have sections of him talking about scoring. He has tried to become the arbiter of what is cool and fun in golf and by doing so has kind of lost the plot. As there is nothing less cool than trying to be the voice of it.
This is not to say that all of his content is bad and that he is a bad person for producing it and monetizing it. I just chafe at the idea that he represents the future of golf and golf media. He is just a dude making a living of Instagram and youtube nothing more nothing less. It's great if he gets people into golf. But as they become more immersed in the world of golf it becomes clear how artificial him and his content are. I wish that someone could cook him upside the head and let him know when he is talking to someone in an interview to not try to make it about him and his ego. He has a great guest on sometimes and spends the whole time reminiscing about himself. Just sad, because when he first came out I had hope that he could do some really cool stuff. But now i don’t really care for or watch his stuff anymore. As it's all about Erik and not so much about golf or the stories that he could tell in it.  Sorry if this came off a little ranty, but it's tiring to hear about this dude so much as the future when he doesn't really do much except promote himself and his brand.

[Mike Sweeney]

Sorry if this came off a little ranty, but it's tiring to hear about this dude so much as the future when he doesn't really do much except promote himself and his brand.

Ben,


The son who introduced me to EAL films is a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy who was just assigned to a weapons system that I can't disclose, and candidly, I don't understand.

[David Restrepo]

My older son introduced me to Erik, the filmmaking, walking, and talking golfer. I would classify Erik as Ran with a camera. I still prefer reading to watching, but I like his films.


Back in the old days, we had Ran's mythical "Carthage Club" which never developed per say, but Ran has had a hand in a few projects so let's give Erik and Zac some time with building projects too.


My son has Erik's dog hat, and I especially like his Iceland and Norway films of places that I may never get to, but enjoy seeing:


https://www.youtube.com/c/RandomGolfClubFilms/videos

This makes me cringe on a deep level. Erik is not Ran. He is a trust fund kid with a degree in film. Ran is a self-made man who has chosen to quietly share his passion and through that, he has built an organic community of like-minded people. Everything EAL does is posed and curated. EAL fell into golf filmmaking and has done little to grow the game except for charging $100 for the chance to meet him and play golf with 100 other fanboys on a $35 dollar course and call it accessible. His films reek of self-importance and ego. He is one of those guys that says he never keeps score but half the videos on his channel are him trying to score or have sections of him talking about scoring. He has tried to become the arbiter of what is cool and fun in golf and by doing so has kind of lost the plot. As there is nothing less cool than trying to be the voice of it.
This is not to say that all of his content is bad and that he is a bad person for producing it and monetizing it. I just chafe at the idea that he represents the future of golf and golf media. He is just a dude making a living of Instagram and youtube nothing more nothing less. It's great if he gets people into golf. But as they become more immersed in the world of golf it becomes clear how artificial him and his content are. I wish that someone could cook him upside the head and let him know when he is talking to someone in an interview to not try to make it about him and his ego. He has a great guest on sometimes and spends the whole time reminiscing about himself. Just sad, because when he first came out I had hope that he could do some really cool stuff. But now i don’t really care for or watch his stuff anymore. As it's all about Erik and not so much about golf or the stories that he could tell in it.  Sorry if this came off a little ranty, but it's tiring to hear about this dude so much as the future when he doesn't really do much except promote himself and his brand.

As a young(er) golfer, I couldn't agree more.
Though behind a paywall now, there is an entire thread on the Refuge at No Laying Up that has close to 6k comments discussing EAL's fall from grace.


In short: AIG was truly something great to watch, but it is quite hard to get though his current content.

[JLahrman]

Have watched a couple of his videos. Somewhat interesting although I generally agree (albeit less forcefully) with some of the criticism posted here about the content.


I know he moved to Austin, where I reside.


Am I the only one who didn't know he used to be married to Sia? WTF?

[Tom_Doak]

I'm always amazed at people's ability to judge the motivations of someone they have never met.  I do agree that in the Internet Era, it is that much easier for someone to go from an unknown producing good content, to a level of celebrity far above the value of that content, but judging someone as self-centered is kinda meta ironic in this era of media, isn't it?

[John Kavanaugh]

Have watched a couple of his videos. Somewhat interesting although I generally agree (albeit less forcefully) with some of the criticism posted here about the content.


I know he moved to Austin, where I reside.


Am I the only one who didn't know he used to be married to Sia? WTF?

Lyle Lovett used to be married to Julia Roberts. Who was the Count that was married to Zsa Zsa. WTF exactly.

[M. Shea Sweeney]

Many are for low key golf until they aren't. It's a thing.

[BHoover]

Our own Brian Hoover would be the perfect ambassador to reach out to EAL. This takes me back to the day when Mike Young brought Charlie Rymer to speak at an early Dixie cup. It was a gas.

Humbled, so very humbled.