Be the ball, Danny

Golf is a popular leisure activity in Japan. From what I've read, the Japanese tend to take it very seriously, often spending years practicing at driving ranges before even attempting a real course. There are not a wealth of real courses (outside of U.S. military property, that is) and it's quite expensive to make a round.

Today, I went along with Nick and a couple others to a local driving range. I don't even know where the nearest real course is, but I'm sure there exists one somewhere in the Ise-Shima area. There were only three left-handed clubs available, and only two left handed tees. I set up at number 10 and whacked away.

The balls keep reloading automatically, even if your last shot was, for example, terrible. There is no punishment for mistakes, and unlike in real golf, you don't have to walk with your head down to find your shot that sliced into the woods.

I spent a few minutes with a five iron, then switched to the more friendly seven. There were no woods available for a left-hander. Being left-handed is pretty rare here. Those who show left-handed tendencies when they're young are "corrected." Except of course those who will be pitchers.

Anyway, I spent most of my time with the seven iron, mostly going for distance. I tried for loft, but it didn't go well and it was nearly as fun as trying to pound the ball into submission.

Nick has his own clubs, an avid golfer who used to hit the course every weekend when he lived in a place with reasonable greens fees (Australia).

After taking only a few swings, I announced that I wanted to try for a real course. While I'm sure it would be fun, I should probably recall that on a real course the balls don't keep reloading. You chase after them, even if they go the wrong way. Is that really something I want to get myself into?

Oh, probably. And there could be beer involved to alleviate the pain associated with failure.

Isn't that what sports is all about?