why do people think that golf is easy and not a sport?

[sasquatcho69]

people think that golf is the easiest sport to play. how would you make them think otherwise because anybody that actually does play golf knows that it is far from easy.
and how would you convince them that golf actually is a sport and not a game of just old people?
thanks

[MI Rob]

Most of the people who I have heard say that, have not played a real round.

[flopdarock]

a buddy of mine had that concept and its hillarious cuz he is addicted to playing golf now...

most ppl that think that its an old mans game obviously have absolutely no idea about anything related to golf... they barely even know who tiger is... who cares what they think...

well the buddy i have kept inviting me to things and id tell him id go after a round or if i dont miss my teetimes so he'd clown me... i invited him a few times and he declined... he finally wanted to attempt to play when we both were at a party and another friends sister(really hot really hot) joked around about outdriving me the last time we played together... after that he asked me to give him a crash course on playing golf... he absolutely sucked his first time out... but with lots of tips and lots of driving range practice... he isnt too bad now... hell he plays more than i do now...

ps... he never did get to play with my other friends really hot sister... buahaha

[rjal4296]

This game is tough because:

as Michael Murphy relates: "Not only are ye naked to yerself and to your partner, but ye've got to contend with your entire self, all yoor many selves..."

[Supermanwoot]

golf easy? wtf. Anyone who has played a round on a course knows better than to say that. Sure you might be able to hit the ball in the forward direction on a driving range, but that is NOT golf.

If you ever hear anyone say that, tell them to put their money where their mouth is and play skins with you. If they really are good, then they were just BSing because they knew all the practice it took to get that way, but chances are if you say golf is easy then you've never been out to anything but a chip-n-putt.

On a side note: I like playing skins ($1 a hole) with my partners who usually shoot in the 80s while I'm in the 90s. I find that I can usually break even in a skins match because my stroke score is usually trashed on just a couple holes so skins is a good way to get a newer player into competitive play.

[Clambake]

I find the best way to convince people is to tell them that they are right, that golf is one of the easiest sports to play. It can be played by young and old, short and tall, skinny or fat, men, women, children, able bodied and those with disabilities. It doesn't require any inherent talent or anything other than a desire to go out on the course.

But despite all that, golf is the hardest sport to play well . One propels a tiny 1.6 ounce ball and knocks it a quarter of a mile in a couple swings of a club, putting it into a 4.25 inch hole in the ground in about 4 total strokes. To swing that club you accelerate it from a stop to over 100 MPH and back to zero in a couple seconds. A tiny fraction of a degree separates a good golf shot from a lost ball. And every single shot has a different lie, different wind, uphill or downhill, etc. It requires total concentration for brief moments spaced out over several hours. And if they don't think that playing golf well requires athleticism or strength, take a look at a picture of any pro golfer at the moment of impact - you'll see that every single muscle in the body is fully active and engaged. And as a final argument, point out that many professional athletes from other sports have attempted to become great golfers or even consider a pro career. While many have become competently good golfers, to my knowledge none have ever been able succeed (the only one I can think of was John Brody who went from football to actually winning a Senior's Tour event many years ago) despite their obsession and effort.

We are fortunate to love a sport that truly anyone can play, yet remains so difficult that it presents a lifetime of challenge that no one truly masters and only a tiny few are able to excel at it.

[wedge player]

And as a final argument, point out that many professional athletes from other sports have attempted to become great golfers or even consider a pro career. While many have become competently good golfers, to my knowledge none have ever been able succeed (the only one I can think of was John Brody who went from football to actually winning a Senior's Tour event many years ago) despite their obsession and effort.

jim thorpe champions tour ex football player.

[dragonflyin]

I have heard arguments for golf not being a sport... but never that it is easy...

[Clambake]

jim thorpe champions tour ex football player.

I recall he had a football scholarship, but don't think he had a career in football - I think his athletic career has always been as a golfer.

[kris]

obviously you hear this from people who don't play golf...

[Supermanwoot]

"If God had intended us to play soccer, he would'nt have given us arms." -Mike Ditka

[PEZGolf]

people think that golf is the easiest sport to play. how would you make them think otherwise because anybody that actually does play golf knows that it is far from easy.

They do not think it is "easy". They think that it is a game for overweight, cigar-smoking men who ride golf carts and leer at girls driving the beverage carts around. They figure that if fat guys can "play" the game, then it cannnot be that difficult. Many have never tried golf because they think it is stupid to "chase a little white ball" around an area that should be a park, bicycle trails, or building lots.

The only way to convince them is have them "give it a try", where they walk and carry their own bag. Take them to tough course, that is hilly, and see if they are in good enough shape to not get tired. To entice them to try it, bet them they cannot play 18 holes and break 100. Make it $100 so they have a real incentive to PROVE that it is so easy.

[imtomtomim]

I hate that. The guy I coach with keeps telling his swimmers if they want to do something easy, they should play golf. I want to take this guy for 18 holes with a 25lbs pack on his shoulders from the blues for 5.5 miles hike and watch him take over 100 swings and tell me he's not sore afterwards. No, it's not aerobic, but it sure as hell ain't easy.

[Golf'nBiker]

They do not think it is "easy". They think that it is a game for overweight, cigar-smoking men who ride golf carts and leer at girls driving the beverage carts around. They figure that if fat guys can "play" the game, then it cannnot be that difficult.

This explaination is exactly WHY I started to play!!

IMO, if it is important enough to attempt convincing someone that the above isnt a true statement, an invite will be the only way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to gat a copy of Playboy, a stogie and turn on the Golf Channel.

[shades9323]

I don't think anybody thinks golf is easy.

They don't associate it as sport because it doesn't take much athletic ability to play well.

[yenner]

The biggest arguement I have heard for it not being a sport, and I use to agree, is that there is no offense and defense. Nobody to compete against. Now that I am playing regularly I am finding that the offense is myself and the defense is myself/the course/the elements. Essentially I see football, soccer, baseball, hockey, etc. as an offensive/defensive sport. Golf, to me, has become an offensive/defensive, defensive, defensive, sport. It's a much more technical game. I would rather play football, but I'm far past my time for that. Golf it is.

And for what it's worth, golf can be excruciatingly painful to watch on TV if you're not into it. A lot like NASCAR or Soccer for me. That doesn't mean it is/isn't a sport or doesnt take skill. I think most people see what's on TV while flipping through channels and get bored with it. That's why most ppl never try it.

[kevin.chan]

Arnold Palmer Quote this

" It is easy to pick up , BUT difficult to master "

[DJYoshi]

I don't think anybody thinks golf is easy.

I'd have to disagree with that..a ton of people that I know that don't play golf ask me why I waste my time... then they bet they can knock a 300 yard drive out with ease... I'll bet them $100...they accept... and when they see their ball going 200 yards with roll.... they know they stand corrected!