Is Golf a Sport or a Game?

[boogielicious]

Whats with all the complaints about fat guys? Is baseball a sport? Anyone disagree? I bet even I could beat Babe Ruth, or even today's CC Sabathia in several running events, but I don't think anyone disputes baseball being a sport.

Or football.

[mcanadiens]

This is one bit of history that doesn't really do the Babe justice. So much of what we see is from the end of Ruth's career that we think of him as fat. At his prime, he was 6-2, 215. A big boy for sure, but don't bet on beating him at a foot race. One of the best things about sports is the variety. I appreciate the raw power of the 350-pound offensive tackle, the artistry of a Lionel Messi on the pitch and the grace of Jordan Spieth's swing. Sometimes, I'll watch all three and fit my round in the middle.

[jcjim]

It's a common courtesy. Search for an existing topic rather than creating yet another thread on a topic that's been discussed at length before.

My vote remains "it's a sport." Particularly at the higher levels.

Frankly I don't know what you mean by common courtesy...Courtesy to who....If people want to post to the thread they will and if they don't they won't...

What about all the "new members" here that haven't read about this thread?

How many truly new posts that haven't been discussed at some point are posted...

As I said I'm not going to search every topic I post It's a waste of time for me...

[mmoan2]

At the professional level playing for money it's a sport. For everyone else it's a game. Same with pool, bowling, etc. Next question.

Not quite sure what your definitions are. I've been in some  more grueling rounds of golf with much more competition than some pickup basketball games.

[Sante TwoGloves]

Not quite sure what your definitions are. I've been in some  more grueling rounds of golf with much more competition than some pickup basketball games.

i hear that. not sure what my definitions are. really.  :)   i just know for sure, in my mind, that at the professional level those players are athletes competing in a bonafide sport. Just like the players on the PBA tour, which is probably even more grueling than the PGA. Two guys going out for a casual 9 holes every other week with a six-pack or once a month all-night bowling? I think they are playing a game for fun. I think there is  a difference based on which level you are on but if I cant have my cake and eat it too???.... golf is a sport across the board. It's certainly not just a game.

[rehmwa]

I think the whole point is this:

when the best of the pros do it (with a few silly and tubby exceptions) they are very athletic in their approach and training regardless of how anyone views the activity in and of itself

when we do it..........it's a bloody mary filled - beer spilled - cart riding - friend mocking - trudging - shanking - tripping - fat and sweaty - mouth breathing - divot flying - swearing - get away from the spouse - festival of leisure time relaxation and a debauchery

(which, by the way, isn't one of the poll responses, so I refuse to pick one)

points to the first poster that indignantly replies..."well, I walk"

[iacas]

Frankly I don't know what you mean by common courtesy...Courtesy to who....If people want to post to the thread they will and if they don't they won't...

What about all the "new members" here that haven't read about this thread?

How many truly new posts that haven't been discussed at some point are posted...

As I said I'm not going to search every topic I post It's a waste of time for me...

@jcjim , I'm not going to continue the conversation beyond this point, but as I said it's a common courtesy, and if you choose to be discourteous to others… then that's your choice. It's a courtesy because 30 seconds of your time saves the time of our moderators (who will search for you and merge your thread) and it respects and saves the time of other members, many of whom will remember having responded to the same topic a week, or a month, or a year earlier.

We ask all members, new or old, to search for and add to existing threads if they're similar. They don't have to "read about this thread." They just have to search for it.

Now, back to the topic, please.

---

As my vote attests, and my posts in this thread attest, golf is a sport. You can play basketball in such a way that it's not very athletic, but at most levels, it's a sport, and the typical things we associate with athletics are valued by golfers as well: hand-eye coordination, speed , touch, etc.

[mmoan2]

As my vote attests, and my posts in this thread attest, golf is a sport. You can play basketball in such a way that it's not very athletic, but at most levels, it's a sport, and the typical things we associate with athletics are valued by golfers as well: hand-eye coordination, speed, touch, etc.

Ditto - it's just that there's not much movement except for walking and the 2 seconds it takes to swing. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, track, etc. generally have constant movement (maybe not so much in baseball). Running, jumping, etc. Golf has none of these things. Suffice to say, though, nutrition and fitness are required to excel at professional golf these days. It's just a different kind of sport.

[Strandly]

@jcjim, I'm not going to continue the conversation beyond this point, but as I said it's a common courtesy, and if you choose to be discourteous to others… then that's your choice. It's a courtesy because 30 seconds of your time saves the time of our moderators (who will search for you and merge your thread) and it respects and saves the time of other members, many of whom will remember having responded to the same topic a week, or a month, or a year earlier.

We ask all members, new or old, to search for and add to existing threads if they're similar. They don't have to "read about this thread." They just have to search for it.

Now, back to the topic, please.

As my vote attests, and my posts in this thread attest, golf is a sport. You can play basketball in such a way that it's not very athletic, but at most levels, it's a sport, and the typical things we associate with athletics are valued by golfers as well: hand-eye coordination, speed, touch, etc.

I value those exact same things as a video game player, which I don't consider a sport, so I don't think that's very good criteria for a sport.  But that's probably what the previous 27 pages of blabbing are so I won't make too much effort to stir it up again.

That does bring me to a couple things I will never consider a sport though... vehicle racing and video games.

[iacas]

I value those exact same things as a video game player, which I don't consider a sport, so I don't think that's very good criteria for a sport.  But that's probably what the previous 27 pages of blabbing are so I won't make too much effort to stir it up again.

Simple response: I suppose I would consider what amount of the body must be active in doing the "thing" in question. In video games, it's almost just "fingers" doing the work. Maybe someone moves their arms a bit more (though that is certainly not required, and top gamers are fairly still in the videos I've seen). In golf, you're required to move most of your body.

[westcyderydin]

Here are my qualifications for a sport vs. a game.

1.  Requires some sort of athleticism and/or coordination.

2.  There is an objective score.

So that makes golf a sport.  Competitive cheerleading or Ice skating...not a sport, they rely on subjective ratings.  I can't figure out if NASCAR is a sport or not.  There is a score...1st, 2nd, 3rd place and all, but does driving a race car fulfill the athleticism part?  It does take coordination.....

[Fourputt]

Here are my qualifications for a sport vs. a game.

1.  Requires some sort of athleticism and/or coordination.

2.  There is an objective score.

So that makes golf a sport.  Competitive cheerleading or Ice skating...not a sport, they rely on subjective ratings.  I can't figure out if NASCAR is a sport or not.  There is a score...1st, 2nd, 3rd place and all, but does driving a race car fulfill the athleticism part?  It does take coordination.....

NASCAR is a sport, even if the real strength is in the machine.  Muscling a car around a track at 200 MPH for 3+ hours, often in 90° heat takes the kind of endurance that distance runners need.  You don't see many chubby NASCAR drivers.

Not even mentioning the sort of stresses they endure in a wreck.  Check out these facts: NASCAR fact list

[Aflighter]

NASCAR is a sport, even if the real strength is in the machine.  Muscling a car around a track at 200 MPH for 3+ hours, often in 90° heat takes the kind of endurance that distance runners need.  You don't see many chubby NASCAR drivers.   Not even mentioning the sort of stresses they endure in a wreck.  Check out these facts:  [URL=http://www.cnn.com/services/opk/driven/news.htm]NASCAR fact list[/URL]

That 90 degrees is outside but inside that car its generally atleast 120 degrees.Think alot of folks think they are driving around just like we do but they are in a moving oven .Id be throwing up and having heat stroke.

[shooter]

It's a game. It falls into the same category as....pool,darts,lawn bowling, horse shoes,curling etc. Can be considered as a "bar" sport . I played hockey as a kid and still do. No way in heck is a fat 60 year old is taking the puck from me, nor is a 60 year old out running me on any track, court or ice rink, but i have been beat on the course several times. Plus, just because guys in the current era workout doesn't change anything. The only debatable fact of sport vs game is the fact the golf will be in the Olympic's again. Likewise, Dart's require great hand eye coordination, feel and lots of practise, but that will never them athletes nor those activities sports.

[Fourputt]

It's a game. It falls into the same category as....pool,darts,lawn bowling, horse shoes,curling etc. Can be considered as a "bar" sport . I played hockey as a kid and still do. No way in heck is a fat 60 year old is taking the puck from me, nor is a 60 year old out running me on any track, court or ice rink, but i have been beat on the course several times. Plus, just because guys in the current era workout doesn't change anything. The only debatable fact of sport vs game is the fact the golf will be in the Olympic's again. Likewise, Dart's require great hand eye coordination, feel and lots of practise, but that will never them athletes nor those activities sports.

Football is a game, baseball is a game, hockey is a game.  What's your point?

[shooter]

My point is. I had jaw surgery a few days (yay me) and since I can't golf, practise or do anything,for that matter. I here getting sucked up by the TST vortex. If others believe golf to be a sport, great. If golf needs to be a sport for one to play it, then let it be. To me it's a game.

[Sante TwoGloves]

Well people do say all the time, how's your golf game? And bring your A game today and what clubs are you gaming?

[Fourputt]

Well people do say all the time, how's your golf game? And bring your A game today and what clubs are you gaming?

But they say the same of undisputed sports like football and baseball.  That's not a valid argument.  You don't ask a quarterback "How's your sport?"