When Dave Shoji talks about his favorite pastime — not volleyball — there's a calmness that overcomes his otherwise intense stare.

"Golf ... (it's) just real soothing to me," said Shoji, gazing out the window of his tiny office at the University of Hawai'i athletic complex.

The UH Wahine volleyball coach is passionate about the sport and has a 5-handicap to prove it. During volleyball season, Shoji squeezes in rounds every other week or so at O'ahu Country Club; in the off season he's there once or twice a week.

The Manoa resident turns to golf as a way to escape from his hectic schedule, but it's also one of the many activities that helps him keep physically fit. At least six days a week, Shoji works out — usually in the mornings with his wife, Mary. Together they lift weights, swim or bike, among other things.

Shoji, 58, said he's aware of growing older, so he's much more health-conscious these days. But he says he never really felt a need to regularly dedicate work out time until he got older, because he's always been so active, even as a child.

"Whatever was in season, I played," Shoji said. "Whether it was football, basketball or baseball, I just played them all."

He started to play volleyball as a student at the University of California-Santa Barbara.

"I played baseball freshman year in college, and I just didn't feel like I was good enough to go on, so I was kind of looking for something else to stay active," he said.

His college roommate played the game, and Shoji took interest.

"I took a P.E. volleyball class, and the volleyball instructor happened to be the coach of the team, so one thing led to another," said Shoji, who has guided the UH women's volleyball program to four national titles.

Shoji shares his athletic qualities with his teenage sons: Kawika is an Iolani senior who plays volleyball, basketball and golf, and Erik is a Punahou sophomore active with volleyball and tennis.

"I'll hit the tennis ball with my younger son ... and I will golf with my older son ... but I don't play volleyball with them because they're a little stronger and bigger than me right now," Shoji said and laughed.

Shoji will stick to coaching; he's in the middle of his 31st season with UH.

"I have to work until I'm 62, so that's four more years and four more seasons," he said. "... I don't want to say anything about when I'm going to actually retire, but I just have to evaluate things when that time comes."

Until then, Shoji will gladly continue to lead his team.

"It's very satisfying and challenging, and every year is different," he said. "I enjoy the relationships with the players and just being around them a lot. It's very refreshing."

AN HOUR HERE, AN HOUR THERE AT THE GYM

Workout habits: Shoji doesn't have a set workout routine, but he tries to do something active at least six days a week; usually for about an hour early in the morning before work and with his wife, Mary. Shoji often goes to a gym to use a StairMaster or stationary bike, and to a weight room to work his arms, shoulders and chest. If time permits, he and his wife occasionally go for a swim or bike ride. Shoji is also an avid golfer.

When and why I started working out: "I didn't always work out on a regular basis. I was more just active and never really felt the need to actually work out. I would say in the last 15 to 20 years, it's become more of a way of life. I don't have the time to actually go out and do things, like play tennis or golf all the time, so it's become more of a regimen now."

My good foods/bad foods: "I eat a lot of fruits and fresh vegetables. And I don't eat a lot (in general); I try to keep portions way down. ... (My bad foods) are just any kind of dessert (laughs). I don't eat candy or anything like that, but I do like something for dessert, like a piece of apple pie or something sweet."

My biggest motivator: "I'm aware of growing older, and I want to try to stave off Father Time. I think when you get older, you're really aware of health issues, and so I'm more health-conscious now than I've ever been."

What saves my sanity: "Golf. You know, a golf course in early morning when there's hardly anybody out there — at O'ahu (Country Club), we have a little rain, too — that's just real soothing to me."

My next challenge: "Every once in a while I think about running a marathon, but then I'll think about it for five minutes, and then just say, 'No, I don't need to,' (laughs) because I think it would be just more of a mental thing for me, not a physical thing to run a marathon. I know I could do it, but I'm not sure why I would want to do it. There are things outdoors that I would like to do — backpacking, kayaking, those kinds of things — but maybe that's for after retirement."

Advice for those in the same boat: "The best exercise is doing something active that you like to do ... like play tennis, go for a swim, go for a hike. Something enjoyable."

FAIRWAY FITNESS

Not only is golf a sanity saver for coach Dave Shoji, it's also a great workout.

"Golf is good for your heart health," said golf teaching professional Kelvin Miyahira. Miyahira, who's also an instructor with the UH Outreach College, notes other benefits of the game: