The golfer swings his club in a graceful arc and then focuses his gaze on the ball sailing 200 yards or so into the distance. He smiles, satisfied that he was able to keep his balance on his prosthetic leg as he twisted to hit his drive shot.
Ukraine’s exclusive and expensive golf clubs have opened to war amputees, who play free of charge. Rehabilitation experts say that sunshine and nature can be healing for the traumatized soldiers, and that the uneven, soft surface of golf courses helps them to master their prosthetics.
But “the main task is just to get them out of bed,” said Vyacheslav Tsiukh, 46, a retired colonel and a new golfing enthusiast.