Folks keep askin’ why bother playin’ at Ranches Golf Course. Well, let me tell ya straight up – I dragged my lazy bones outta bed at 5 AM last Tuesday just to see what the fuss was about. Pulled on my rattiest golf pants (the comfy ones, ya know?), slammed two coffees, and chucked my clubs in the trunk while it was still pitch black outside.
The First Glimpse
Rolled up right as sunrise hit the valley. Man. The fog was liftin’ off the fairways like steam off hot pavement. Course looked like one of them fancy paintings – all soft greens and golden light. Paid my fee at the shack (stung the wallet but more on that later) and this kid handed me a scorecard so fresh it smudged ink on my fingers.
Hole by Hole Struggles
Tee time came quick. First swing? Cold muscles screamed. Shanked it straight into next Tuesday. Found my ball nestled in some wicked rough that chewed up my new irons something fierce. But honestly? Didn’t even cuss much ’cause the view down to the creek was downright stupid pretty. Saw three deer just chompin’ grass like they owned the place.
- Hole 3: Water hazard swallowed two Pro V1s. RIP balls.
- Hole 7: Elevation change kicked my butt. Wind picked up – felt like hittin’ into a wall.
- Hole 12: Finally hit a clean drive. Felt so good I almost forgot my triple bogey on 11.
That Signature Moment
Then came hole 14. Tee box sits higher than my last tax bill. Looked out and everything just clicked. Rolling hills patched with sunlight, not another soul in sight ‘cept some hawk circling. Took my sweet time lining up that shot just so I could soak it in longer. Didn’t even care where the ball landed.
Finished up around noon sweatin’ buckets. Sunburn started crawlin’ up my neck – forgot sunscreen like a rookie. Sat on the patio suckin’ down lemonade that cost more than my breakfast. Overheard some old timers bickerin’ about puttin’ greens. Seems maintenance is hit or miss depending on when you go.
The Raw Truth
Look. Is it perfect? Heck no. Three things stuck in my craw:
- Price tag hurts worse than a chili pepper in a paper cut
- Wind will wreck your scorecard
- My shoulders still ache two days later from them hills
But that silence out there? Miles of just green and sky? Can’t buy that feelin’ at some concrete resort course. You go for the challenge wrapped in scenery so thick you could spread it on toast. Worth every damn blister.
