We’ve recently discussed Callen and exercise and discovered that he does workout quite a lot. But what about playing sports, such as golf? Back in Season 2 in Overwatch, Hetty approaches and catches Callen in the gym sneaking some of her Guava Syrup for his tea.

Hetty: “Do you think you’re clever? That you can read people, that you know things?”
Callen: “Well I’m an undercover agent for a highly respected agency, so (nods head), I’m going to go with yes.”

Callen is known for becoming whoever he needs to be for success in an operation. We’ve seen Callen train, shoot in the range and brush up on his languages. But what else does G Callen do to aid him in becoming whoever he needs to be for an alias?

If we go back to the beginning of NCISLA, to episode 2, ‘The Only Easy Day,’ we will remember seeing Callen on a golf course in a purple Johnnie O shirt. He was pretending to be Holgate’s partner, Morris Raspen, who had what the crooked LAPD Detective Rosen wanted. The money the SEALs had stolen at the cartel’s home. As Eric pointed out, “how are we going to get Rosen to confess, when his own people couldn’t?” Callen’s reply was, “because we’ve got what Rosen wants.” Rosen arrives on the golf course with Holgate in a golf buggy. Callen (as Raspen) is swinging his club to prepare to hit the ball.

Rosen: “The elusive Mr Raspen. Now I thought your buddy was kidding when he said the golf course…but I get it now. Public place, yet it’s wide open, so you can see anybody approaching, and you’d have to be a sharp shooter to get a shot from any real cover. How many SEALs have you got hidden around?”
Callen (as Raspen): “I’m just working on my short game.”
(S1E02 ‘The Only Easy Day’)

Nothing more had been mentioned about the game of golf until S3E21 ‘Touch of Death,’ when Callen brings the subject up with Sam in the challenger. They were looking for a doctor who had stolen the smallpox vaccine to save the planet. She was deluded to think that she could release the smallpox virus out into the environment to control the world’s population crisis.

Callen: After this is all over, I’m going to settle down somewhere quiet. Do some fishing, some golfing, build things.
Sam: What kind of things?
Callen: I don’t know. Whatever guys build when they retire. Hobby stuff.
Sam: Hobby stuff.
Callen: Yeah!
Sam: You don’t fish and you don’t play golf.
Callen: I’m not retired.

SKIN DEEP

SAM: “Maybe the most ridiculous game ever invented.”
CALLEN: “It’s a metaphor for life, Sam. Nothing to react to but your own actions.”
SAM: “Doesn’t look like fun.”
CALLEN: “It’s just you, the ball, the course and your thoughts.”
SAM: “No one to throw the ball to, no one to catch it…”
CALLEN: “You just stare down your fears.”
[Sam scoffs]
SAM: “Didn’t take you for a golfer, G.”
CALLEN: “Never played a day in my life. Too scary.”
(S4E13 ‘Skin Deep’)

It’s interesting to look deeper into Callen and Sam’s words here in Skin Deep. Callen, who has a tendency to go lone wolf and Sam, the former Navy SEAL. Sam clearly shows his dislike for the game of golf because it’s not a team sport. However Callen on the other hand, would rather a sport that required time on his own. That’s where golf would suit the seasoned agent, rather than football or basketball, although we have seen Callen enjoy playing with his partner and the rest of the team.

So is it possible that Callen has had lessons in the sport of golf to aid himself in a future alias, such as seen in ‘The Only Easy Day?‘ He looked comfortable on the course with the club in his hand and at ease talking to Rosen about his short game. If you look back at Sam’s expression when Callen talks about golf in Skin Deep, it’s clear to see surprise in the former SEAL. One has to wonder, when he dropped the subject in Touch of Death with Sam in the challenger. Perhaps Callen is testing the waters to see if Sam has figured his secret past time out?

What are your thoughts on the subject? “The possibilities are endless” (a quote from Deeks in Frozen Lake).

Thanks to ChrisDaisy for her input on this subject.

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