Do you consider Golf a sport!

[GatorBait15]

The other night BamafanNKY was tryin' to make a argument about how golf shouldn't be a sport and I beg to differ...

You have to have alot of talent to play golf anyone that has played on a pro course knows where I am coming from!

anyway thoughts and opinions on golf being a sport I say hell yes!

[Williams-Brice]

It's a sport, but you don't have to be an athlete to be good at it.

[GatorBait15]

It's a sport, but you don't have to be an athlete to be good at it.

You still have to have alot of talent though...

[AUcarlton]

Golf is definitely a sport. It requires a lot of talent. Not to mention it takes a good bit of arm strength to drive the ball as far as the pro's. Tiger hits it around 300 yards every single drive. I don't play a lot of golf but I know thats a long a55 drive.

[Williams-Brice]

You still have to have alot of talent though...

Never said you didn't. You don't have to be an athlete, but it's definitely a sport.

[gatorunvrsty]

Anybody who's ever tried to be consistently good at golf knows it's a sport. It takes strength, balance, consistency, determination, mental fortitude, and extreme coordination to be a good golfer. While it doesn't take the body of Adonis to be successful, a sound, consistent golfer is undoubtedly an athlete, as all the other requirements are the same as athletes of other sports. It also takes some natural talent and lots of practice to remain that way, just like in all other sports. It's also a solo sport, so there aren't any teammates to help cover for any shortcomings or mistakes. The guys you see driving around in golf carts on the weekends drinking beer aren't necessarily athletes; but, in tournament golf (college and professional), players walk the course for 4 days. This would have been a question better posed about bowlers and race car drivers.

EDIT: I guess I'd say you don't have to be an athlete to play golf; but you definitely have to be one to earn a living playing golf... just like baseball, football, or basketball.

[sheluvsbama]

Absolutely! Golf is definitely a sport. Not necessarily one I am into, but I think it takes considerable skill and athleticism. It is not easy and it takes strength and finesse. :happy:

[GatorBait15]

I would love to see you 2 love birds disagree on something every once in a while! maybe next year bama and uf will play in the secc game and you guy's can talk some sh*t!

[sheluvsbama]

I would love to see you 2 love birds disagree on something every once in a while! maybe next year bama and uf will play in the secc game and you guy's can talk some sh*t!

GU was talking plenty of sh*t during the basketball game we were playing the other day. I am still a Crimson Tider, remember! :laugh:

[GatorBait15]

GU was talking plenty of sh*t during the basketball game we were playing the other day. I am still a Crimson Tider, remember! :laugh:

Not for long! :laugh:

[SeanVol]

The other night BamafanNKY was tryin' to make a argument about how golf shouldn't be a sport and I beg to differ...

You have to have alot of talent to play golf anyone that has played on a pro course knows where I am coming from!

anyway thoughts and opinions on golf being a sport I say hell yes!

When I was younger I didn't think golf wasn't a sport. One day my P.E teacher and I had a disscussion about Golf being a sport and he let me hit a few golf balls outside and I changed my mind after that.

[uscrules]

I think I have played just about every sport there is: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, track, and of late cycling. I will say this about golf, it is by far the most fustrating sport I have ever taken up. There are so many different things you must be able to do to be good at it. First and foremost, hitting a golf ball staight is no easy thing to master and if you do get fairly good at that, then you have to be able to judge distant for your irons shots to the green, and if you do get where you can hit the green, you have to be able to read greens and put. You are right you don't have to be an athlete to play golf but you have to be willing to put a LOT of work and practice in to get good at the game just like any other sport.

[gatorunvrsty]

I think anyone who says golf isn't a sport hasn't spent an afternoon chasing his ball from the forest, to the beach, to the ocean, back to the forest, back to the beach, etc., etc., etc..:laugh:

[sheluvsbama]

I feel there is really no debate. Golf is a legitimate sport.

[GatorBait15]

Golf's not a sport. If it is then so is Nascar.

one person disagree's...

[azamugg]

would a Marathon Orgy be considered an athletic event?

[RW13]

Golf, Bowling, Gardening and stamp collecting are all very difficult hobbies and the people who engage in those hobbies should be commended for their talent!

[crimsonnation713]

one person disagree's...

consider the source...

[RW13]

consider the source...

Hey, I represent that!!!

[crimsonnation713]

Hey, I represent that!!!

oops....didnt Cya RW.....:laugh:

[gatorunvrsty]

one person disagree's...

Everybody's entitled to their own opinion... even when it's wrong.:happy: NASCAR would be a sport if all the drivers were strapped into Flintstone-mobiles, and were propelling them with their feet.

http://www.moesrealm.com/img/Photoshop/flintstones.jpg

But, driving vehicles with combustion engines around in a circle, where not everyone starts at the same point, is more like entertainment than sport, imho... kind of like professional wrestling. The participants must be coordinated, and in reasonable health; but it's not really much of a sport if the car is doing most of the work.

[crimsonnation713]

Everybody's entitled to their own opinion... even when it's wrong.:happy: NASCAR would be a sport if all the drivers were strapped into Flintstone-mobiles, and were propelling them with their feet.

http://www.moesrealm.com/img/Photoshop/flintstones.jpg

But, driving vehicles with combustion engines around in a circle, where not everyone starts at the same point, is more like entertainment than sport, imho... kind of like professional wrestling. The participants must be coordinated, and in reasonable health; but it's not really much of a sport if the car is doing most of the work.

Yeah look at all the young outta shape, flat-bellied golfers that hit it 300+ GU. None of them are in shape.:dry:

[uscrules]

Golf, Bowling, Gardening and stamp collecting are all very difficult hobbies and the people who engage in those hobbies should be commended for their talent!Wow, you must not have never played golf, to think that it is a hobby. What would Tiger Woods say to your comments? And to the comment that you can be fat and out of shape and play golf, I don't know of many sports that this does not apply. Thing is, if you want to be good, you need to be in shape. Upper body strength, strong legs and back. I know a lot of people that can hit the ball a long way, they just don't have any idea where it is going to land.

[crimsonnation713]

Wow, you must not have never played golf, to think that it is a hobby. What would Tiger Woods say to your comments? And to the comment that you can be fat and out of shape and play golf, I don't know of many sports that this does not apply. Thing is, if you want to be good, you need to be in shape. Upper body strength, strong legs and back. I know a lot of people that can hit the ball a long way, they just don't have any idea where it is going to land.


you been watchin' me????? :laugh:

[RW13]

Wow, you must not have never played golf, to think that it is a hobby. What would Tiger Woods say to your comments? And to the comment that you can be fat and out of shape and play golf, I don't know of many sports that this does not apply. Thing is, if you want to be good, you need to be in shape. Upper body strength, strong legs and back. I know a lot of people that can hit the ball a long way, they just don't have any idea where it is going to land.

FYI, I have golfed and am golfing in two weeks (In the upstate of SC, so it'll be a shitty course), and I worked on a golf course for about 11 months. I also grow chile peppers and tobasco peppers ( I tried strawberries last year and it failed). Gardening (successfully) and Golf take a great amount of skill to yield successful results, doesn't mean they are sports....

[gatorunvrsty]

Yeah look at all the young outta shape, flat-bellied golfers that hit it 300+ GU. None of them are in shape.:dry:

Guys like ol' John Daly ain't much to look at, but I'd say it takes a helluva lot more athletic ability to consistently keep the ball straight, or make it fade/draw at all the precise distances, than to keep turning left for 4 hours.:laugh:

[volimhtown]

It's all in your own personal definition of "sport", so there are no wrong answers. Golf takes an incredible amount of skill and concentration to be successful, but it's DEFINITELY not a sport in my book. Athletic ability and conditioning, while helpful, are NOT prerequisites to be successful at golf which is why it "gets the hip-check" out of my book. They're helpful, but not necessary. John Daly, Craig Stadler, and Corey Pavin were all very successful golfers....I rest my case!!:thumpsup::laugh:

[geechee]

It's all in your own personal definition of "sport", so there are no wrong answers. Golf takes an incredible amount of skill and concentration to be successful, but it's DEFINITELY not a sport in my book. Athletic ability and conditioning, while helpful, are NOT prerequisites to be successful at golf which is why it "gets the hip-check" out of my book. They're helpful, but not necessary. John Daly, Craig Stadler, and Corey Pavin were all very successful golfers....I rest my case!!:thumpsup::laugh:

Golf is like baseball. Its all in the swing and the degree of hand/eye co-ordination you have.


I agree with you "It's all in your own personal definition of "sport"". You go out to any course and you'll see a bunch of fat white guys with terrible taste in clothes riding around in toy carts drinking beer.

[AUcarlton]

I was looking up the definition of a sport and I found this guy's website. The Rigorous Definition of a Sport (http://www.stanford.edu/~sehealey/sport.html) ...he wants to "enlighten" us with his superior knowledge of what a sport really is. :rofl:

However, from what I see on all the dictionary websites is that a sport is basically something to do for fun. One of the main things everyone will agree on is that every sport has competition. The rest is up to you.

[GatorBait15]

I see a few people that clicked no above but I want to see their thoughts and opinions on it why they clicked no?

[uscrules]

It's all in your own personal definition of "sport", so there are no wrong answers. Golf takes an incredible amount of skill and concentration to be successful, but it's DEFINITELY not a sport in my book. Athletic ability and conditioning, while helpful, are NOT prerequisites to be successful at golf which is why it "gets the hip-check" out of my book. They're helpful, but not necessary. John Daly, Craig Stadler, and Corey Pavin were all very successful golfers....I rest my case!!:thumpsup::laugh:Well lets see, Babe Ruth was chunky along with countless others that played professional baseball with tremendous success, so by your accounts baseball is not a sport either. I see guys play offensive line that couldn't catch a cold, but still are very successful playing football, so football is out as a sport also. Need I say more. There are exceptions to all sports but the bottom line is golf is a sport and a very difficult one.

[volimhtown]

Well lets see, Babe Ruth was chunky along with countless others that played professional baseball with tremendous success, so by your accounts baseball is not a sport either. I see guys play offensive line that couldn't catch a cold, but still are very successful playing football, so football is out as a sport also. Need I say more. There are exceptions to all sports but the bottom line is golf is a sport and a very difficult one.

Cute response!! :thumpsup: The key words you missed were "athletic ability and conditioning"....there in lies the difference. Terrible example since you're talking about a completely different era and generation, but Babe Ruth WAS a "chunk", but he was also considered an elite athlete in his day and was very physically gifted for that era. Obviously today he would be laughed off the field, but.... And likewise, as for offensive linemen, if you think they're not well conditioned athletes, you're just not very knowledgable.

I like golf, and I especially like playing golf, and yes, it is an incredibly challenging game! But, NEVER have I EVER been on the course and felt like I was playing a "sport". It's popular because it's not physically demanding and any schmo can get out there and play regardless of what kind of shape they're in. That's FACT!! I'm not saying that there aren't athletically gifted that people that play the game, because there are. BUT, it's NOT a prerequisite. Anyway, why do people get so defensive about this?? I mean, who really cares?? If you like golf and it is a sport in your book, great.....good for you. Trying to convince others that it's something that it's not, however, is silly!!

[Sabanocchio]

One of the definitions of the word sport (n.) is: 3. An active pastime; recreation.

Pretty much blows your theory up, Volimhtown.

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

One of the definitions of the word sport (n.) is: 3. An active pastime; recreation.

Pretty much blows your theory up, Volimhtown.
Well, hot diggity dog.....I'm enjoying the heck out of this sport of posting on SECTalk. :laugh:

[Sabanocchio]

Well, hot diggity dog.....I'm enjoying the heck out of this sport of posting on SECTalk. :laugh:

I would say that pressing of keys hardly qualifies as an "active pastime".

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

I would say that pressing of keys hardly qualifies as an "active pastime".
Come on now Sabanocchio.....I have to read posts too. Reading and typing both have to be considered as an active pastime. After all, both take effort on my part. :laugh:

By the way, I was only joking around.

[Sabanocchio]

I know you were. Don't overwork yourself for Pete's sake.:lol:

[uscrules]

I don't think I am going to convice you that golf is a sport, but just because you see a bunch of overwieght, out of shape guys playing golf doesn't in any way not make golf a sport. As a matter of fact, It is the most popular sport, in terms of participation in the U.S. Oh, and next time you go to the YMCA or to a church basketball game or softball game, check out the players, they are the same overwieght, out of shape guys you saw playing golf.

[SeattleGamecocks]

Its definitely a competition of skill, but as someone mentioned one does not need to be athletic to have this skill. BTW that picture of the fat dude smoking a cigarette on the course is hilarious. Hes a pro golfer, right? So, if sports can be separated from athletics, you can call it a sport. If you consider a sport to be an athletic competition, then its not a sport. I abstained from the poll. I think the same question could be posed about car racing and the same pro/con arguments could be made.

Scratch that, I'm voting no. Not to take anything away from those guys b/c it is certainly a skill and talent, but it is not an athletic competition.

[gatorunvrsty]

Cute response!! :thumpsup: The key words you missed were "athletic ability and conditioning"....there in lies the difference. Terrible example since you're talking about a completely different era and generation, but Babe Ruth WAS a "chunk", but he was also considered an elite athlete in his day and was very physically gifted for that era. Obviously today he would be laughed off the field, but.... And likewise, as for offensive linemen, if you think they're not well conditioned athletes, you're just not very knowledgable.

I like golf, and I especially like playing golf, and yes, it is an incredibly challenging game! But, NEVER have I EVER been on the course and felt like I was playing a "sport". It's popular because it's not physically demanding and any schmo can get out there and play regardless of what kind of shape they're in. That's FACT!! I'm not saying that there aren't athletically gifted that people that play the game, because there are. BUT, it's NOT a prerequisite. Anyway, why do people get so defensive about this?? I mean, who really cares?? If you like golf and it is a sport in your book, great.....good for you. Trying to convince others that it's something that it's not, however, is silly!!

I blew up this whole response with my initial post. You want a chunk from this era... try John Kruk, the Fielders, and Tony Gwynn, among countless others. It also doesn't take someone physically fit to play football, baseball, or basketball... any schmo can get out there and play regardless of what kind of shape they're in.

However, it does take someone significantly more gifted, and lots of practice to play those sports PROFESSIONALLY, just like golf. Anybody can play, but not everyone is equally coordinated, talented, or makes the kind of commitment necessary to play professionally. If it wasn't a sport, that's how I'd be out there getting rich today; but, the Good Lord didn't see fit to grace me with the same gifts required of someone who makes a living in that sport.

What's the difference between a tour pro and a club pro? The same thing that differentiates a major league baseball player and a career minor leaguer... gifts. You can practice as much as Tiger, and still not be Tiger; just like anybody can try as hard as A-Rod, and still not get a $200 million contract. It takes a special ATHLETE to be a tour player.

[Sabanocchio]

Its definitely a competition of skill, but as someone mentioned one does not need to be athletic to have this skill. BTW that picture of the fat dude smoking a cigarette on the course is hilarious. Hes a pro golfer, right? So, if sports can be separated from athletics, you can call it a sport. If you consider a sport to be an athletic competition, then its not a sport. I abstained from the poll. I think the same question could be posed about car racing and the same pro/con arguments could be made.

Scratch that, I'm voting no. Not to take anything away from those guys b/c it is certainly a skill and talent, but it is not an athletic competition.

The question wasn't is golf an "athletic competition", it was is it a sport.
Which leads to the question what is a sport? If you take the definition quite literally, there is no question. A sport must involve competition between two or more players...check Does it require a certain level of skill to master? Certainly. Does the play of which result in one party being declared the "winner" of said event. Why yes! In fact the word "Sport" comes from the old French desport meaning "leisure". Which doesn't quite agree with some of your assumptions that a sport must be an athletic event.

[SeattleGamecocks]

I think anyone who says golf isn't a sport hasn't spent an afternoon chasing his ball from the forest, to the beach, to the ocean, back to the forest, back to the beach, etc., etc., etc..:laugh:once. It was way too frustrating. God bless you folks who find it a relaxing way to spend your day. I like the driving range, cuz its fun to knock the ball as hard as you can, but I doubt I'll ever get back on a course.

[SeattleGamecocks]

The question wasn't is golf an "athletic competition", it was is it a sport.
Which leads to the question what is a sport? If you take the definition quite literally, there is no question. A sport must involve competition between two or more players...check Does it require a certain level of skill to master? Certainly. Does the play of which result in one party being declared the "winner" of said event. Why yes! In fact the word "Sport" comes from the old French desport meaning "leisure". Which doesn't quite agree with some of your assumptions that a sport must be an athletic event.

fair enough. Meanings of words evolve though. Is Chess a sport? Backgammon? By definition maybe they are sports, but few of us would consider them to be.

[volimhtown]

GEEESH!!!! :werd:

Obviously it IS a sport by academic definition....was that ever at question???:brick:

The original question asked if you "consider" golf a sport....implying that everyone has their own personal definition of "sport". I'm sorry if I read too much into the question, but I thought opinions is what GB was after!! :glare:

Again, WAY too much defense being taken in personal opinions over something that means NOTHING. There are "fatties" in every sport, GU....what's your point?? Again, my point was with regards to physical "conditioning", not "stature". Point being, you CAN'T be in poor physical condition and play professionally in those sports, but in golf, you can. It certainly doesn't help, but you can. There's a reason that professional athletes in the "major" sports rarely play up to and past the age of 40 and it's because of physical conditioning. Meanwhile, a golfer can play at the top levels well into his/her 50s and 60s.

Perhaps my definition is too simplistic and doesn't make sense to you. Perhaps I should really refine my definition to include a prerequisite of some sort of cardio workout. Anyway, in my "box" of a world. I don't consider golf a "sport"....never have, never will!!:thumpsup:

[reese]

i voted no...football is the only sport..lol

[crimsonnation713]

The question wasn't is golf an "athletic competition", it was is it a sport.
Which leads to the question what is a sport? If you take the definition quite literally, there is no question. A sport must involve competition between two or more players...check Does it require a certain level of skill to master? Certainly. Does the play of which result in one party being declared the "winner" of said event. Why yes! In fact the word "Sport" comes from the old French desport meaning "leisure". Which doesn't quite agree with some of your assumptions that a sport must be an athletic event.

Ur just too damn smart for yourself...BTW, anybody seen my putter?

PS- Paradox.....I'm playng tomorrow....10:30...we need a fourth. I would ask aza but he would leave before the tee-time. :laugh:

[the Paradox]

Ur just too damn smart for yourself...BTW, anybody seen my putter?

PS- Paradox.....I'm playng tomorrow....10:30...we need a fourth. I would ask aza but he would leave before the tee-time. :laugh:

I must decline, much to my chagrin. Where are you playing?


RTR

[crimsonnation713]

I must decline, much to my chagrin. Where are you playing?


RTR

Ol' Colony.. I understand ur fear...:up_to_som

[gatorunvrsty]

Ur just too damn smart for yourself...BTW, anybody seen my putter?

PS- Paradox.....I'm playng tomorrow....10:30...we need a fourth. I would ask aza but he would leave before the tee-time. :laugh:

What a coincidence! I need a fourth for my gardening competition... I understand it's as difficult as golf. Anyone up to the challenge? :happy:

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

What a coincidence! I need a fourth for my gardening competition... I understand it's as difficult as golf. Anyone up to the challenge? :happy:
Sorry, I've never mastered the sport of gardening. I guess I'm too out of shape. :laugh:

[crimsonnation713]

jealousy will get you no where

[sheluvsbama]

What a coincidence! I need a fourth for my gardening competition... I understand it's as difficult as golf. Anyone up to the challenge? :happy:

:laugh::laugh: I will tell y'all what...go out and get a shovel and try to dig up the hard dirt to plant some tulips! Then you will see how hard it is to garden! :laugh:

[crimsonnation713]

:laugh::laugh: I will tell y'all what...go out and get a shovel and try to dig up the hard dirt to plant some tulips! Then you will see how hard it is to garden! :laugh:

YEAH WHAT SHE SAID !!!!!! :whistle: