Why the Best Part of Golf Happens Before the First Tee

The best rounds begin long before anyone pulls a club out of the bag. From deciding the day’s format to debating handicaps and playlists on the drive over, the moments leading up to a round have become just as much a part of the experience as the golf itself. Created in partnership with the All-New 2026 Toyota RAV4, Hypegolf’s latest campaign explores that idea through The Game Before the Game, celebrating the rituals, conversations and camaraderie that define a day on the course. At the heart of the story is the drive itself, where the All-New 2026 Toyota RAV4 becomes the starting point for a day built around golf, friendship and time spent outdoors.

At the center of the story is professional skateboarder, podcast host and Golf With Flavor founder Justin Eldridge, who assembled his ideal foursome for a day of golf in Los Angeles. Joined by his wife Ali Eldridge, skateboarding legend Jose Rojo and snowboarding pioneer Russell Winfield, the group heads to the course together in the Toyota RAV4 before settling into a day built around friendship as much as competition. Alongside the campaign film and accompanying lookbook, Eldridge reflects on the connection between skateboarding and golf, the value of community and why the drive to the course is often where the day really begins.

Hypegolf: For people who know you from skateboarding, how did golf become part of your life? Justin Eldridge: I actually got hurt and wasn’t able to skate for a few months. A friend and I decided to go to the driving range, and the place had a par-3 course that stayed lit up until 10PM. It was the perfect combination, and I was hooked from the start. You’ve built communities in both skateboarding and golf. What similarities do you see between those two worlds? There are so many similarities, it’s crazy. From the camaraderie and friendships that are built to the style and the way everybody just wants each other to win and have fun, the overlap is huge. To me, golf courses are just big skate parks.

For this project, you brought together your own foursome. What made this the right group of people to spend the day with? I think that being able to spend the day with people you have fun with and respect is a huge part of the game. Jose was a professional skateboarder, and we were on the same team, so I’ve known him forever. He’s just one of the best humans out there. Russell was a legendary professional snowboarder and is one of my favorite people. Then my wife, who I obviously love spending time with on and off the course, rounded out the perfect group for me. The drive to the course is almost part of the experience. What’s usually happening on the way there? Music? Conversation? Friendly trash talk? Literally all of the above. I never used to be a huge trash talker, but golf has kind of brought that playful side of me out, and I love getting in my friends’ heads. Music is everything, so there’s always plenty of that, and I think everyone being excited on the way to the course is the best part.

When the round’s over and everyone’s driving home, what do you hope people take away from a day like this? I think the bond grows deeper every time you play golf with friends. There are so many ups and downs, good shots and bad shots. You go through so much together, and if everyone can have a good time through all of that, it’s the perfect day.