Steven wants an angry golf instructor to yell at him like a wrestling coach. David shares his lesson experiences - from terrible virtual sessions to finding the right in-person instructor - and explains why Steven's limiting himself to 9 holes is disappointing.

What we discuss:

• Steven's executive course commitment and why 18 holes sounds "exhausting"
• David's disappointment as golf ambassador - did he oversell the difficulty?
• Steven's request for an abusive golf instructor (spoiler: that's not how it works)
• David's three instructor experiences: two virtual disasters, one great in-person
• How to find the right instructor: look for awards, competition experience
• Red flags: virtual lessons, green flags: instructor of the year accolades
• The importance of documenting lessons and practicing between sessions
• AI coaching potential vs. human interaction preferences
• Steven's economics approach: maximizing equilibrium of golf joy at 9 holes

Key moments:

• Steven interpreting David's 18-hole advice as "just stick to 9 forever"
• The wrestling coach golf instructor fantasy gets shut down immediately
• David's virtual lesson instructor who bragged about being too busy to help
• Steven's business professor approach to "optimal level of enjoyment"
• David having to cut the episode short with a "hard out"

Bottom line: Good lessons require the right instructor match - look for credentials, avoid virtual sessions, document everything, and practice what you learn. Also, don't let honest expectations about 18 holes scare you away from the full golf experience.

Steven can't imagine golfing alone - for him, the magic is in joking around with friends between holes. David reveals he's played 4.5 solo rounds this year and explains why Steven hasn't "caught the bug" like other golfers do.

What we discuss:

• Steven's realization: golf is fun because of friends, not the actual golf
• David's disappointment that Steven hasn't caught "the golf bug"
• Why solo golf is like rock climbing or hiking alone - meditative and disconnected
• Managing expectations when paired with strangers as a solo player
• David's awkward experience crashing a guys' weekend scramble
• The difference between being a "guest" vs playing your own game
• Why most golfers are focused on their own terrible shots, not yours
• Steven's confession: he'd rather play with friends than strangers
• David's 103-degree solo rounds because he has "the bug"

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Key moments:

• Steven comparing solo golf to his solo rock climbing - finally gets it
• David's brutal honesty: "I'm terrible" when asked how good he is
• The realization that when people give advice, it's really for themselves
• Steven's promise to maybe try going alone at "some ridiculous hour"
• David's slight disappointment that Steven isn't planning golf trips around courses

Bottom line: Solo golf isn't for everyone, but it can be meditative practice time. Most golfers are too worried about their own game to judge yours. Steven may never catch "the bug" - and that's okay.

Steven is ready to jump from the kids' pool to the deep end with his first 18-hole round. David compares it to running a marathon and explains why you need to tape your nipples down (metaphorically speaking).

What we discuss:

• Why playing 18 holes is like running a marathon - you need to build up to it
• The mental wall that hits around holes 12-14 and how to push through
• Environmental factors: being soft indoor people vs. all-day sun exposure
• Steven's controversial takes on paddleboarding (spoiler: he hates it)
• Managing mental focus over 4 hours without "mailing it in"
• Setting realistic goals: focus on one skill instead of obsessing over score
• The "add one stroke" method - making par 4s into par 5s for beginners
• Why nobody cares about your score (it's like fantasy football teams)
• Essential 18-hole supplies: snacks, jerky, and looking forward to hole 13

Key moments:

• Steven's nipple-taping marathon knowledge
• The great paddleboarding debate (Steven dies on this hill)
• David's confession about playing 36 holes twice with "more than none" chafing
• The revelation that par 6 doesn't exist (but should)
• Why bringing jerky to look forward to is peak simple pleasures

Bottom line: Build up to 18 holes through multiple 9-hole rounds, expect to hit a mental wall, bring snacks, and remember - nobody cares about your score except you.