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PCS to Kadena AFB(Japan). what to look forward to?


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Hell yeah! Congrats brother! I lived there for 3.5 years. Best 3.5 years of my life.

 

Golf only...The base is AWESOME. The weather is similar to Orlando, so the course is green year round, and well taken care of. It has views of the Pacific Ocean, and some cool golf holes. 
I never found anywhere else on the island that compared. I think there are some private ones. The Marine base course (Taiyo) was NOT my cup of tea. It is basically Red staked left AND right on every hole with THICK jungle. You have to really not spray the ball there. Conversely, Kadena usually gives you a bail out on the left or right. 
 

Up at Yakota AB there is a pitch and putt. Longest hole maybe 120. It’s not incredible, but a chill vibe to play with 3 clubs and some beer. 🙂

If you take the train from Yakota, there is an MWR course about an hour away. Cool course (I forget the name). The front nine had views of Tokyo. Back nine was very secluded. 
Osan AB course is ok. It can get a bit/a lot soft after rains.  A few cool holes, and easy to walk to. 
 

I would really recommend a trip to Guam to play Onward Mangilao - views to rival/surpass Pebble. There’s also diving, hiking, and good food. There are a couple other courses on Guam that I’ve hear are good. The base course On Guam is a bit scruffy, but cheap. And some KILLER ocean views on a few holes. 
 

finally, I’d recommend a trip to Phuket for some golf and R&R. 
and I regret I didn’t go down to Australia to play some famous courses....in my defense I didn’t know how incredible the golf is there. 
 

I have more info on Hawaii, Alaska, and life on Okinawa. Pm if you want more. 

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One side story. Russ Normandin, a Marine gunnery sergeant, was a contestant on Big Break: Indian Wells in 2011 (or so.) He was stationed on Oki about that time.

 

I saw Kadena Air Base way back in 1973. I was a Marine stationed at Camp Hanson on the northern half of Okinawa. I was one of the few lance corporals on Oki with a golf bag in his wall locker. A bus ride to Kadena brought me to the golf course.

 

Things have changed in nearly 50 years, I'm sure. But if I remember right, No. 10 was a 610-yard par 5, dogleg left. It ran over a fairway underlaid with volcanic rock. If your draw didn't kick in, the ball would hit the hard "runway" fairway and run through the dogleg at the 320-yard mark (?) into the trees.

 

Good luck in your posting. If you can, arrange a few days in Taiwan to play some golf.

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What's In The Bag (As of April 2023, post-MAX change + new putter)

 

Driver:  Tour Edge EXS 10.5° (base loft); weights neutral   ||  FWs:  Calla Rogue 4W + 7W

Hybrid:  Calla Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  Calla Mavrik MAX 5i-PW

Wedges*:  Calla MD3: 48°... MD4: 54°, 58° ||  PutterΨSeeMore FGP + SuperStroke 1.0PT, 33" shaft

Ball: 1. Srixon Q-Star Tour / 2. Calla SuperHot (Orange preferred)  ||  Bag: Sun Mountain Three 5 stand bag

    * MD4 54°/10 S-Grind replaced MD3 54°/12 W-Grind.

     Ψ  Backups:

  • Ping Sigma G Tyne (face-balanced) + Evnroll Gravity Grip |
  • Slotline Inertial SL-583F w/ SuperStroke 2.MidSlim (50 gr. weight removed) |
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15 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

One side story. Russ Normandin, a Marine gunnery sergeant, was a contestant on Big Break: Indian Wells in 2011 (or so.) He was stationed on Oki about that time.

 

I saw Kadena Air Base way back in 1973. I was a Marine stationed at Camp Hanson on the northern half of Okinawa. I was one of the few lance corporals on Oki with a golf bag in his wall locker. A bus ride to Kadena brought me to the golf course.

 

Things have changed in nearly 50 years, I'm sure. But if I remember right, No. 10 was a 610-yard par 5, dogleg left. It ran over a fairway underlaid with volcanic rock. If your draw didn't kick in, the ball would hit the hard "runway" fairway and run through the dogleg at the 320-yard mark (?) into the trees.

 

Good luck in your posting. If you can, arrange a few days in Taiwan to play some golf.

#10 is still the same general design you described. Except if it doesn’t draw, you’re in trees, rough, or on #11. 
 

I never saw anyone successfully knock it on in 2. Because you had to hit a power draw, and then still had a long way in. 

I would have loved that hole wayyy more if they elevated the tee box about 20-35 feet. Still keep the shot blind. But elevating the tee would allow a strait or fade shot. 

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28 minutes ago, MongoSmash said:

(At Kadena course...) #10 is still the same general design you described. Except if it doesn’t draw, you’re in trees, rough, or on #11. 

If it doesn't draw... one of the few par 5 holes where your driver can be too long...

What's In The Bag (As of April 2023, post-MAX change + new putter)

 

Driver:  Tour Edge EXS 10.5° (base loft); weights neutral   ||  FWs:  Calla Rogue 4W + 7W

Hybrid:  Calla Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  Calla Mavrik MAX 5i-PW

Wedges*:  Calla MD3: 48°... MD4: 54°, 58° ||  PutterΨSeeMore FGP + SuperStroke 1.0PT, 33" shaft

Ball: 1. Srixon Q-Star Tour / 2. Calla SuperHot (Orange preferred)  ||  Bag: Sun Mountain Three 5 stand bag

    * MD4 54°/10 S-Grind replaced MD3 54°/12 W-Grind.

     Ψ  Backups:

  • Ping Sigma G Tyne (face-balanced) + Evnroll Gravity Grip |
  • Slotline Inertial SL-583F w/ SuperStroke 2.MidSlim (50 gr. weight removed) |
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I was stationed at Camp Foster 30 years ago. I played Kadena a few times, just don’t remember much, except walking there s few times. I did play one course off base a couple of times, but my memory is junk. I was 18-19 yo and when we were not working we were usually drinking, hence the lack of real good memories. I do remember my staff sergeant living just about on a driving range on camp Dixon I think it was called.

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On 12/12/2020 at 10:11 PM, Fourpar18 said:

Hey man!  When you get here hit me up, I live here and currently have a "gaggle" group we play with.

 

just got to kadena couple weeks ago and settling down decently. im with the 961st guys. weather seems to be pretty damn good out here.

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7 hours ago, thisjustanother said:

 

just got to kadena couple weeks ago and settling down decently. im with the 961st guys. weather seems to be pretty damn good out here.

Welcome to the team. You can see my patch up on the wall in the bar. 😁
I hope your time at the 961 was as good as mine. It was the best assignment ever. 
Alex Demma and J Frazier are awesome dudes!

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