Talking Golf With Detroit Lions Players Brock Wright and Jake Bates

It is no secret that the competitive drive of an NFL athlete rarely stays confined to the gridiron. When the pads come off, many of them head straight for the fairways. We recently had the privilege of hosting Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright and kicker Jake Bates for a round of golf at Red Run Golf Club, trading the high-stakes pressure of Ford Field for a summer afternoon on one of Metro Detroit’s premier courses.

What followed was an incredible day of sport, storytelling, and an inside look at how these athletes approach a game that is notoriously less forgiving than a football field.

Front Nine Fuel: Brock Wright’s Hot Dog Review

Every golfer knows that a round is only as good as the turn, and Red Run’s Halfway Shack did not disappoint. Brock Wright kicked off the day with a mandatory post-front-nine tradition: a hot dog review.

While evaluating his dog, Brock shared a quick lesson he learned back in his college days regarding regional culinary rules.

"I used to put ketchup and relish on mine growing up, and then I got to Notre Dame," Brock laughed.

"All my Chicago buddies told me that that's the worst thing ever. So now, mustard, relish from here on out."

The verdict? A glowing endorsement for the Red Run kitchen. After taking a bite, Brock 

gave it a definitive score: "That's top-notch. 10 out of 10, that's fantastic."

Culinary preferences aside, Brock was quick to praise the environment and the local golf community.

"It's beautiful. We've had a lot of fun, a lot of unique holes out here. The walk is great," 

he said, before offering a nod to the gallery.

"Shout out to all the Metro Detroit Golfers in the area, all the support you give to the Lions. We love you guys."

Deciphering the Wind With Kicker Jake Bates

As we walked the back nine—specifically approaching the 15th hole—we picked the brain of Lions kicker Jake Bates. Coming off a thrilling season where he proved his ability to deliver under pressure, we wanted to know how his technical approach to kicking translates to his golf swing.

Jake, who grew up in Texas, has developed a quick appreciation for the unique characteristics of Michigan courses.

"I just love the grass in Michigan," 

Jake noted.

"In Texas everything can get so dry so fast, but the grass is so much nicer here. Michigan golf is serious."

In fact, the layout at Red Run left a significant impression on him. "I think it might be my favorite course in Michigan," Jake shared. "The way it's laid out, and the trees, and the undulation and everything, I mean, it really doesn't get much better."

When the conversation shifted to managing the elements, we asked Jake how navigating the wind on the golf course compares to reading a stadium's crosswinds during a pre-game warmup. His advice for amateur golfers was surprisingly simple: it all comes down to predictability.

"I think you got to be consistent with your ball flight so you know, like, if the wind's coming to the right, I know what my ball does straight, and so you can account for the wind," 

Jake explained.

Of course, even professional athletes face the humbling reality of the sport. Jake smiled, admitting that his own advice is easier said than done.

"For me, my golf ball goes everywhere. The wind doesn't mean much to me for golf because who knows where the ball's coming off. But I think just being able to hit the ball consistently."

A Shared Passion for the Game

Whether discussing technical ball flights or debating the correct hot dog toppings, spending the day with Brock and Jake highlighted a universal truth: golf is the ultimate equalizer. No matter how precise your skill set is on Sundays, the game of golf demands a unique level of respect and humility.

We want to extend a massive thank you to Brock and Jake for taking the time to share a round with us. The Detroit community is incredibly fortunate to have athletes who are not only exceptional on the field but equally genuine and engaging hosts on the course.

We look forward to teeing it up with them again soon. Until then, Go Lions!