It was a truly glorious day here in the PNW. The kind of day where the sun actually sticks around, the birds are chirping, and you don’t need three layers of Gore-Tex just to step out of the car. We decided to hit up Interbay Golf Center again, and let me tell you, the conditions were mint. Dry! As in, no casual water, no muddy divots, just good, honest turf. It almost felt like we knew what we were doing. Almost.
The Driver Debacle (and a Glimmer of Hope)
Now, Interbay’s first hole is practically begging for a driver. It’s a wide-open invitation to unleash your inner Bryson DeChambeau, or, in my case, my inner “guy who once played guitar in a grunge band and thought he could transfer that raw power to a golf club.”
So, what happened? Classic. A majestic, beautiful, absolutely textbook slice. It cleared the fairway, narrowly avoided the bunker on the right, and settled nicely in the semi-rough. Hey, at least it wasn’t OB, right? Small victories, my friends, small victories.
My second shot? Less majestic. More “oops, did I just hit a worm burner that went sideways?” But we’re not here to dwell on the bad shots, are we? (Mostly. Okay, sometimes we totally dwell.)
The Elusive Birdie and the Shot of the Day
Fast forward a couple of holes, and we arrive at the third. This is where the magic (briefly) happened. I pulled out my wedge, took a breath, channeled all those years of trying to hit the perfect power chord, and thwack! The ball soared, landed softly, and checked up a mere four feet from the pin. Four. Feet. I’m talking about a genuine, bona fide, I can’t believe I just did that kind of shot.
The kind of shot you dream about after watching too many PGA tournaments. The kind of shot that makes you think, “maybe, just maybe, I don’t suck that much.”
And then… the putt. Oh, the putt. It was for birdie, a mythical creature rarely seen in our golf rounds. Did I make it? Did I sink the putt and finally know the sweet taste of being under par on a hole? Of course not. It was a good effort, a valiant attempt, but it lipped out. Or I pushed it. Or the golf gods just laughed and moved the cup. Whatever the reason, it was a par. A respectable par, mind you, but not the birdie that shot deserved.
My playing partner, Mr. We Suck at Golf #2, just gave me that knowing look. We’ve all been there.
Why 9 Holes Early Season is Your Best Friend (Even If You Still Suck)
You know, as much as we love the idea of a full 18 holes – the camaraderie, the relentless pursuit of that perfect shot, the slowly increasing despair – there’s something to be said for the humble 9-hole round, especially early in the season.
It’s a Warm-Up Act, Not the Headliner
Think of it like an open mic night before you play the main stage. You get to shake off the rust, remember what a golf club feels like, and see if your swing survived the winter hibernation. You’re not committing to four hours of potential frustration; you’re just dipping your toe in the water. It’s less pressure, less time commitment, and honestly, less likely to send you into an existential crisis about why you keep doing this to yourself.
Less Time for the Wheels to Fall Off
Let’s be real, a full 18 holes gives you ample opportunity for your game to completely unravel. By hole 12, I’m usually questioning all my life choices. With 9 holes, you can usually keep it together, or at least keep the meltdowns to a minimum. It’s like a short sprint instead of a marathon – you can sustain that hopeful optimism for longer.
Perfect for Your Body (and Sanity)
If you’re like me, still putting away the snowboarding gear and ramping up the running miles, 9 holes is a gentle re-introduction to golf’s unique physical demands. It’s enough to get the muscles moving, but not so much that you’re hobbling the next day. Plus, it leaves you with plenty of time for other activities – like hitting up the local joint for some post-round grub!
Post-Round Pro-Tip: Fuel Your Frustration
Speaking of grub, here’s a little nugget of wisdom we picked up after our round: if you’re ever at Interbay and your stomach is grumbling (from hunger or the sheer agony of missed putts), you absolutely, positively need to hit up Brothers & Sisters down the road.
Their fried chicken sandwiches are next level. Crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned – they’re the kind of culinary comfort that makes you forget all about that sliced drive or that lipped-out birdie. It’s the perfect antidote to a less-than-stellar score. Highly recommend!
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Another day on the links, another set of lessons learned, and another delicious post-round meal. We might still suck at golf, but we’re having a blast (mostly) and finding some great food along the way.
What about you? What’s your go-to post-round meal, especially after a round where the golf gods weren’t exactly smiling on you?
