So I woke up Tuesday feeling kinda blah after grinding on taxes all week. Figured, hell, why not drive out to Santa Rosa Beach? Sun was blazing perfect when I rolled into that golf club parking lot around 9am. Palm trees swaying, smell of fresh-cut grass hitting me straight in the face – instant mood booster.
Walked straight to the pro shop clutching my crusty old clubs. Guy behind the counter took one look at my 1990s driver and grinned. “Time for an upgrade?” he goes. Ended up renting their fancy titanium driver for $15. Best damn decision ever.
Course was busier than I thought for a weekday. Starter guy paired me with these two retired dudes named Jim and Bob. Jim kept telling “back in my day” golf stories while Bob kept misplacing his ball in the fairway. Still, good company though.
First hole nearly wrecked me. Topped my drive straight into some decorative shrubs. Felt my face get hot when Jim just goes, “That’s one way to start!” Got my rhythm by hole 3 after pounding two $6 Gatorades at the cart girl’s station.
Highlight was hole 7 – par 3 over water. My rented driver finally cooperated, shot straight over the pond. Dropped maybe 3 feet from the pin! Bob started clapping like I won the Masters while Jim snapped a pic on his flip phone. Weird flex, but okay.
Around hole 14 the heat got brutal. Shirt was soaked through and my rental clubs felt like lead pipes. Found my ball tangled in spiderwebs behind a tree trunk. Took me five minutes and three whacks just to get it back on grass. Should’ve taken a penalty stroke but Jim whispered, “What happens on the course stays on the course.”
Finished just before 2pm feeling like a roasted chicken. Headed straight to their grille patio. Waitress sold me on “world famous” nachos – which turned out exactly like my gas station nachos but twice the price. Still inhaled them watching guys duff shots on the 18th green.
Final score? Don’t ask. Lost 3 balls, broke a tee in half with my putter accidentally, but damn that rental driver felt sweet. Should probably replace mine. Or just come back next Tuesday and rent it again.
