It’s the end of my first week back at the Hines BRC (Blind Rehab Center). The return trip is to train with an updated GPS device, learn some other changes in technology, and brush up on mobility skills. That just means getting off my lazy butt, and getting rid of bad habits that sneak in while walking with the long, white cane.
One fun way to do mobility is to go on any of the special outings. Its a time to apply several techniques in the real world to get around, and socialize. There are times to be independent and walk with the cane on your own. There are times where a sighted guide should be relied upon, and then there’s a real test in getting around. Playing a few holes of golf.
I can hear you asking, “How can a blind veteran like yourself play golf?” That’s a fair question. Many blinded vets ask the same thing, thinking their days enjoying their favorite sport is behind them. I’ve never been a golfer, but through outings like this, I definitely see why people love the sport.
Thanks to several golf clubs around the Chicago area, vets in training are given the chance too get some of that old confidence back. it isn’t uncommon to hear that a vet sold or gave his clubs away, thinking that his days of golf were locked in his past, resigned to days that would remain unattainable. .
When I say that golf courses donate their time, I mean real time, on real courses. Ranging from some that are more open to the public, right up to some top notch, exclusive places. today we were at IDLEWILD COUNTRY CLUB
From their web site:
We are a private country club nestled in secluded surroundings twenty-five miles south of Chicago. Idlewild’s 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course offers beauty and challenge to players of all skill levels. Idlewild also offers the very best in country club amenities.
in our group, we had my sighted helper, and golf pro, Marty. Rounding out our group is his daughter, Madison, and another blind vet, Darrel.
not sure how this will come out, but here’s a photo of us… or maybe of just me… you know how it is. blind guy with a camera… dangerous stuff. at least you can get a look at my messy desk in my room.
Darrel could really smack the ball down range. I let him set the pace. That means I let Marty drop the ball near where Darrel’s landed, and I tried to keep up from there.. I’ll admit, my game wasn’t so great. I’ve done better… but I’ve done worse. I guess that’s the mantra of any golfer.
Thanks to Marty’s awesome assistance, and tips on getting my stance right, I definitely improved from hole two hole. It’s all in fun. No scoring was kept. However, on past golf trips I did keep score, and every muffed shot counted. The usual drill is to only play about 3 or 4 holes. Time is usually short for one thing, and sometimes the weather gets to be a factor. Today the weather was breezy, but as the sun took over the sky, it was getting hot, fast.
To help with some show and tell, especially with the actual tactics of just what technique is used for a blind guy to swing a club at a little ball, and send it down the fairway, I had Madison play cameraperson, as Marty helped me get a shot lined up.
At the tee, getting ready to drive,
sorry, I didn’t have a good way to run both videos in the player. to see them both, click the above link to download and view the short video. it runs less than 3 minutes, and is in .MOV format, so it should be pretty universal. Use the link below for more on the putting green.
Sorry for the wind, mower, and other audio quality issues. that’s part of the real world ambience on the golf course.
As you can tell, having a good helper to line you up, so you’re swinging the club in the right direction is a key point. It wouldn’t do to send the ball sailing to some other hole on the course. Barring any tips on good form, whether you stay on the fairway, or how far your drive goes is all on you. I’m told my shots are generally straight. Not sure how true that is. all I know is that we didn’t have to hunt through the rough for any balls. some of my better drives were up to 100 yards, or more. some were less.
Here’s how that technique works for the delicate work on the putting green. You can see that Marty wasn’t cutting any slack in helping my ball drop in the hole. I’m just glad all those shots weren’t being counted.
doing some close work at the putting green.
After the 4 holes we played, it was off to the clubhouse, and a nice lunch. A cold drink, hot hamburger, and good conversation with some of the other helpers who return every year to enjoy the day out with the veterans, and learn what’s new in the training the blind vets are getting.
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