Georgia Football Stars Brock Bowers and Tate Ratledge Tee Off in ‘Between the Wedges’ as Golf Skills Take Center Stage
The University of Georgia football program is known for its creativity off the field as much as its dominance on it. With multiple national championships in recent years and a recruiting machine that seems to operate on autopilot, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have found yet another way to showcase the personality and versatility of their student-athletes. Enter Between the Wedges, the newest media project launched by Georgia football—a golf-themed video series that takes players out of their pads and cleats and puts them on the fairway. The debut episode features none other than All-American tight end Brock Bowers and veteran offensive lineman Tate Ratledge. But just how good are these gridiron stars when it comes to golf?
Between the Wedges is part of Georgia’s broader push to humanize its athletes and expand the program’s reach beyond the field. It’s a brilliant fusion of casual entertainment, team camaraderie, and media engagement. For fans, it offers a rare glimpse at the lighter side of the Bulldogs—one filled with laughs, banter, and surprisingly decent swings.
In the opening episode, Bowers and Ratledge trade helmets for golf caps and exchange blocking techniques for iron swings as they hit the course for a few holes of fun, competition, and storytelling. Right away, it’s evident that neither player is a stranger to the game, but they’re not exactly PGA Tour material either—and that’s what makes it so entertaining.
Tate Ratledge, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman known for his grit in the trenches, brings a powerful yet occasionally erratic game to the course. His swing is aggressive—predictably so—but when he connects, the ball flies. With a driver in hand, Ratledge can easily send a shot 300 yards, though it doesn’t always land where he wants. He self-deprecates with charm, joking about his “offensive tackle follow-through” and letting fans in on the struggles of maintaining a consistent swing with lineman-sized arms.
“I’m used to hitting people, not golf balls,” Ratledge quips in the episode after sending a drive slicing into the trees. “But hey, it’s all about how you recover, right?”
Brock Bowers, on the other hand, surprises fans with a smoother, more technical game. Known for his freakish athleticism on the football field—speed, agility, soft hands, and route-running precision—those skills seem to translate fairly well to the golf course. His swing is compact, repeatable, and surprisingly fluid for someone who makes a living stiff-arming SEC defenders. Bowers might not be a scratch golfer, but he clearly has spent some time on the range.
“Golf’s one of those things that keeps you humble,” Bowers says with a grin after missing a short putt. “You think you’ve got it figured out, then the next hole hits you with reality.”
The chemistry between Bowers and Ratledge is perhaps the highlight of the episode. Their trash talk is constant but lighthearted. They joke about each other’s wardrobe, celebrate good shots with exaggerated fist pumps, and groan collectively at shanked chips or misread greens. For a fan base used to seeing these players in intense, high-stakes environments, Between the Wedges offers a refreshing look at who they are off the clock.
What’s equally impressive is how the series manages to connect golf—a sport often considered slow-paced and methodical—with the high-octane world of SEC football. The contrasts work in the show’s favor. The calm of the golf course juxtaposes the chaos of Sanford Stadium, and seeing elite athletes struggle (just like the rest of us) with putting distance or sand traps creates a sense of relatability.
From a media strategy perspective, Georgia’s launch of Between the Wedges is a home run. It checks several key boxes for modern college athletics: player branding, fan engagement, NIL synergy, and multimedia storytelling. With the NCAA loosening restrictions on NIL activity and schools embracing creative ways to promote athletes, Georgia is ahead of the curve in building platforms that serve both the program and its players.
Fans responded to the first episode with overwhelming enthusiasm. Social media buzzed with clips of Bowers’ smooth swing and Ratledge’s monster drives. Many commented on how enjoyable it was to see players in a new environment, displaying a different side of themselves. “We love you on the field, but this is GOLD,” one fan tweeted after watching the debut.
The idea of expanding the series to include other Georgia football players is already gaining traction. Future episodes could feature quarterbacks, defensive backs, or even members of the coaching staff. There’s talk that Stetson Bennett—now with the Rams but still revered in Athens—might return for a guest round. And imagine an episode featuring Kirby Smart himself navigating a tricky par 4 with the same intensity he brings to third-and-short situations.
But back to the golf: while Bowers shows finesse and composure, and Ratledge brings power and personality, both players use the episode as a way to reflect on their journey at Georgia. Between shots, they talk about the grind of SEC football, the brotherhood in the locker room, and the special bond they’ve formed with the university, coaches, and fans. It’s those moments—unfiltered and unscripted—that elevate Between the Wedges beyond just another gimmicky series.
Ratledge shares how golf has helped him decompress during the offseason, offering mental clarity and a competitive outlet without the physical toll. Bowers discusses how his family in California influenced his love for outdoor activities, including golf, and how adjusting to life in Georgia brought unexpected joys like fishing, grilling, and now, more time on the course.
The conversations shift naturally between humor and honesty. When asked who the worst golfer on the team is, both answer in unison with a laugh—naming a fellow lineman whose swing “looks like he’s swatting flies with a broomstick.” It’s all in good fun, but it offers insight into team dynamics, friendships, and the way these athletes unwind when the pads come off.
As the episode wraps up, Bowers narrowly edges out Ratledge in their friendly round, mostly thanks to his accuracy around the green. But Ratledge wins the longest drive competition, launching one nearly 330 yards down the fairway—earning him bragging rights, at least until the next episode.
While Georgia’s dominance on the football field shows no sign of waning, initiatives like Between the Wedges prove that the program is equally focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience off the field. It’s not just about wins and championships—it’s about giving players space to express themselves, build their brands, and share their lives with the fans who support them week in and week out.
The series also has the potential to grow into something much bigger—integrating charitable events, celebrity guests, or even collaborations with golf brands and local courses. With the right investment and continued player participation, Between the Wedges could become a staple of Georgia Football’s offseason content calendar.
In a world where NIL deals and social media visibility are increasingly important for athletes, projects like this create win-win scenarios. Players like Bowers and Ratledge gain exposure and connection opportunities, while Georgia football continues to showcase why it remains one of the most progressive and engaging programs in college sports.
So, how are Brock Bowers and Tate Ratledge at golf? Respectable—better than your average amateur, for sure, but still relatable enough to miss a 6-foot putt or top a tee shot every now and then. More importantly, they’re engaging, authentic, and clearly having fun. And in the process, they’re helping redefine what it means to be a student-athlete at Georgia.
With Between the Wedges just getting started, fans can look forward to more episodes, more laughs, and more swings—from beautiful drives to absolute duffs. But most of all, they can enjoy a new way to connect with the players who make Georgia football great.
And judging by the early success, it’s safe to say Between the Wedges is a hole-in-one.
