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15 downloadsThe golf of my dreams in Afghanistan
By Josh Knight
GolfWRX Contributor
I am lucky enough to live in a state, South Carolina, where golf can usually be played year round. Although February, the temperature has been surprisingly warm and perfect for a few rounds of golf. Unfortunately, while my buddies are out playing golf weekly, I am sitting in Afghanistan counting the days until my next round can be played.
For the past couple months I have been in Afghanistan deployed as a member of the United States Air Force. At first I didn't really miss all the golf I had played leading up to my departure, but the clock has since seemed to stop moving. A few months of flying in and out of the same places and the mind starts to roam. Of course, I have the internet to check scores and get on GolfWRX, but it doesn't completely fill the void. My wife is nice enough to send me my golf subscriptions when they show up in our mailbox, but they are usually read cover to cover in a day or so. Multiple golf books have arrived, been conquered and stashed away (I finished "Paper Tiger" in less than 2 days). I've got Tiger Woods video game, but you can only drive the ball 400+ yards so many times before it gets old.One thing I do have an abundance of over here is time to think. So, to pass the time I resort to the only golf I remember and play rounds in my head. I am one of those golfers that thinks he can hit all the shots, I just can't put it together on the golf course. I always end up confused on how that "should-of-been-an-80" turned into a 100. Sometimes I replay the good rounds I've shot or maybe just a few holes. I have a few of the local courses memorized enough that I can play a round or two while trying to fall asleep. The game seems so easy at this point, hitting fairways and greens, how difficult could it be and why I am not always playing this good? I even card a bogey from time to time just to keep it realistic. Perhaps an incoming mortar attack disturbs my swing on a par 5, or my roommate starts snoring right as I am about to putt, not the normal golf course distractions but they do get my attention. I'm not going for the course record, just trying to shoot even par for the millionth time in my head.
While I'm playing imaginary golf or reading equipment reviews thinking about all the new clubs I want to buy, I wonder how does everyone else pass the time between the golf seasons? Come next winter I will not have this problem again, but what does everyone else do? How do you not go crazy?
I really hope that all this mental visualization will pay off when I get home next month. I've hit that first tee shot so many times, how can I not find that fairway next month? Usually I am asleep way before No. 18, but with all birdies I card on the front nine who needs to practice the last few. Honestly, I'll probably write down triple digits on that first scorecard, but at least I will be on a golf course.
I pulled three tours enforcing Southern Watch and know how you feel about missing the golf course. Finished out my enlistment at the AF Academy and LOVED playing both the Silver and Blue courses there. If you get through the St. Louis area with or without your clubs shoot me a PM. I'll pick up the tab for the golf and beer.
