Tiger Golfer of the Week: Riley Greene Talks Locker Room Banter and Best Rounds
- Metro Detroit Golfers
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
In the latest installment of Lesson on Golf, host Jeff Lesson caught up with Detroit Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene at Comerica Park for the Tiger Golfer of the Week segment, presented by Washtenaw Golf Club.
Known for his power at the plate and elite defense in the outfield, Greene offered a candid look into his off-field golf game, team dynamic, and how baseball mentalities carry over to the green.
"I'm a Good Teammate"
While Greene admits he isn't the top golfer in the clubhouse, he brings high energy, confidence, and camaraderie whenever he steps onto the fairway with his teammates.
"I'm not the best golfer, if you know me, you know I'm definitely not the golfer of the week,"
Greene laughed during the interview at Comerica Park.
"But I'm a good teammate, I'm good for confidence... I just like to go out and have some fun."
Who Rules the Clubhouse?
When pressed on who holds the crown for the best golfer on the 2026 Detroit Tigers roster, Greene quickly eliminated a few candidates before revealing his top choice:
Will Vest: A skilled multi-sport athlete, though Greene playfully notes, "He's good at everything, but I don't think he's the best."
Parker Meadows: Shows explosive potential when hot, though inconsistent.
Spencer Torkelson: Greene’s undisputed choice for the team's best golfer.
"I'm going to have to go with Tork being the best golfer because I've seen it live,"
Greene explained.
"I've been his confidence... the guy you can depend on to keep his confidence up. He plays pretty good—Tork can break 80 on occasion."
Translating the Mental Game from Turf to Turf
When asked if lessons from the golf course transfer over to major league baseball, Greene emphasized the importance of short-term memory in both sports:
Next-Shot Focus: Staying present rather than carrying past mistakes forward.
"If you hit a bad shot, you always got to look towards the next one,"
Greene shared.
"Here in baseball, if you get a bad at-bat, you got to focus on the next one."
Personal Bests and Dream Courses
Greene shared that his best personal round to date came in Florida, where he carded a 92 or 93 at Grasslands in Lakeland during spring training. He also noted that playing Arnold Palmer's legendary Bay Hill was one of his favorite golf experiences to date.
While he has yet to explore Northern Michigan’s premier golf tracks, Greene acknowledged the state’s elite reputation and plans to make the trip up north in the future.
About Washtenaw Golf Club
This segment of Tiger Golfer of the Week is brought to you by Washtenaw Golf Club in Ypsilanti. Established in 1899, Washtenaw is the third-oldest golf course in Michigan, offering a rich historic tradition, fast greens, and a welcoming public golf experience.
Lesson on Golf is hosted by Jeff Lesson and produced by Make The Turn, the team behind Metro Detroit Golfers—one of the largest golf communities in Michigan.
👉 Explore more episodes and player interviews on the Metro Detroit Golfers YouTube channel.
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