I’ve heard that question many times. Some say golf is not even a sport, compared to hockey, football, or baseball. I’ve even heard some folks associate golf with other seemingly “too easy” sports like NASCAR and Bowling. Here are some of the reasons:
- No sweat. No effort.
- Overweight/fat people can still play golf.
- Too much reliance on equipment technology, such as graphite shafts, titanium head drivers, or multi-core golf balls.
- It looks easy, and not physically demanding.
- At 3 hours per round, it’s a very slow game.
- Comedians such as George Carlin and Robin Williams make fun of golf.
I noted most of the people who criticize the game either never played the game before, or have played the game once and hated it. If they’ve never been on the driving range or on the golf course before, how do they know it’s easy? How do they know it’s not physically demanding to walk at least 6000 yards, under the beating sun (sometimes rain) to play 18 holes? And for those who tried and ended up hating the game, did they learn correct fundamentals of the game? Did they expect a 460cc Titanium drivers lets them hit 300 yards without a proper swing technique? It’s not an easy game. The professionals on TV make it look very easy.
These days, I can’t miss the name Tiger Woods. His day starts at 4am, working out and practicing on the driving range. On TV during tournaments, he shows off his sculpted upper body. I can see the strength of his golf shots: getting out of thick rough, hitting long drives, and making 600 yards Par 5 holes seem easy. In the US Open last June, even with excruciating pain in his left knee, he could still beat the best of them. Tiger’s an athlete. He’s a golfer.
You may say that’s just one guy from a bunch of other overweight and big bellied players on the Tour. Others are setting the trend to be lean and mean. Vijay Singh is a 45 years old golfer and he stays fit by working out and getting strong. He’s just trying to keep up with his younger competitors like Adam Scott and Camilo Villegas. Even Phil Mickelson was reportedly trying to lose weight and build stamina since 2007.
From the American Century Investment Celebrity Golf tournament last weekend, there is a quote from The Great One, Wayne Gretzsky, about the game:
It’s such a difficult sport. For those people who said golfers are not athletes, they must be crazy. This is one of the toughest sports in the world.
As an athlete himself, Wayne has much appreciation of the game of Golf as a sport. Watch the interview video below and take his word for it.
Building IT
Jot It Down
But Tiger is the exception… he is good because he dedicates himself to Golf. Most people don’t put in as much effort as Tiger puts into his pinky toe when it comes to Golf and then they wonder why they suck… lol I think it is a sport but only because professionals like Tiger make it so. As you said, people who are unfit can easily play the ‘sport’… ergo I don’t think it’s a sport.
(note: I’m biased because Golf is my arch enemy when it comes to my bf’s time =P so if it seems like I’m being harsh. I have a reason to be!)
fragileheart’s last blog post..The Biggest Entrecard Contest Ever
Hi Reggy,
Well, Tiger is not the only exception. There are many others who play Professional Golf, and they have work out routines and train like any other sports.
Any unfit person can play golf, the same with any other sport. I can be a nerd and play baseball and football (I do). But does it make me a good player, or a champion? Nope. Only the fit ones win tournaments consistently. Just because I can hit the ball that doesn’t make me able to “easily” play the sport.
I should add the “spouse time” excuse in the list of reasons to hate golf. 🙂
[…] golf with other seemingly ???too easy??? sports like NASCAR and Bowling. Here are some of the rehttp://www.amid.com/werd/is-golf-a-sport/Read “RE: Interview question” at Home Talk Forum Well, it’s been my feeling that that’s when you get […]
[…] drivers, or multi-core golf balls. It looks easy, and not physically demanding. At 3 hours per rouhttp://www.amid.com/werd/is-golf-a-sport/Michelangelo’s David Got Fat in AmericaAmusing photo of Michelango’s David after 2 years touring in […]
Ooh does she get annoyed when you go off to play too? hehehe
fragileheart’s last blog post..But you will never have my rhyme
I think Golf is some kind of Sport. Good post
farzan’s last blog post..REVIEW: The Dark Knight
Let’s see, I go out to spend 5 hours with the boys at the golf course, and then come home all tired and useless, not wanting to do house chores. Yeah, she’s definitely annoyed by the sport alright. 🙂
LOL glad it’s not just me!
fragileheart’s last blog post..Lest I fall on my ass while dreaming