A thought experiment: What sport?

[dfreuter415]

There seems to be a big debate as to whether dancing is a sport. So, if it is,I vote for dancing.

Reasons:

• the golf swing and all of its variables are choreographed motions, similar to a dance

• dancers must have control over the motions of their body for best results which takes years of training, same as golfers

• golfers must develop power for longer shots and delicacy for their short game, dancers must also be powerful yet delicate in their performances

• there are bad dancers and bad golfers who enjoy their sport even more than those who are proficient

• you can golf or dance well into your senior years

[Lihu]

There seems to be a big debate as to whether dancing is a sport. So, if it is,I vote for dancing. Reasons:  • the golf swing and all of its variables are choreographed motions, similar to a dance  • dancers must have control over the motions of their body for best results which takes years of training, same as golfers  • golfers must develop power for longer shots and delicacy for their short game, dancers must also be powerful yet delicate in their performances  • there are bad dancers and bad golfers who enjoy their sport even more than those who are proficient  • you can golf or dance well into your senior years

This is a really good comparison. In addition, older dancers still work to retain flexibility, and it works for them.

[PJCdude]

I agree with pitchers and to be even more specific, closers since they usually face the highest pressure situations and are used to throwing it full throttle. A good golfer isn't making 120 full swings (maybe I was when I started ;-)) the way a starter does and getting worn down. Rory is still able to hit full throttle on 18 the way Mariano is in the bottom of the 9th. I know that's sort of a generalization, but I stand by it.

[Golfingdad]

I choose soccer. Since it's so popular worldwide there is a much larger pool of world class athletes to choose from so I'd have really good odds. ;)

[Slice of Life]

I choose soccer. Since it's so popular worldwide there is a much larger pool of world class athletes to choose from so I'd have really good odds. ;)

hehehe

[Pretzel]

Hockey. Most similar sport. Second choice: pitchers in baseball.

And if I had to wager, I would bet that you're drastically over-stating the mental stuff. Like by 10-fold if not more.

I'm curious as to why you would choose a pitcher in baseball as your second choice? I can see the similarity in that they perform a nearly identical action repeatedly to a small target using varying shapes of throws, but it seems like the motions wouldn't be similar enough to translate well (just because pitching is usually an overhand motion and golf is like a really long sidearmed throw).

[Morocco Mako]

A pitcher that also plays hockey might be a good combination...

Does Tom Glavine (who was offered a college hockey scholarship, but chose to become a MLB pitcher) play golf?

[Morocco Mako]

I'm going to put in a vote for bowling .

> You don't react to something happening in real time, instead you asses the situation and perform an action.

> Precision counts (the correct impact point is often as little as an inch wide on many shots and must be hit at a very precise angle).

> You must work the ball to produce the correct amount of curvature for a specific shot

> Lane conditions vary from lane to lane (due to oil patterns, condition of the wood, polish, etc..); consequently, bowlers have to learn to "read" a lane just a golfers have to learn to read a green.

> Lane conditions change over the course of a match.

> Bowling equipment is expensive (as much as $300 for a ball, and bowlers often use multiple balls).

> Bowlers are even bigger equipment-hos than golfers; always looking for the perfect ball, shoes, even bags.

> Bowling balls must be customized for an individual, and bowlers are constantly tweaking their balls trying to get them perfect.

> The primary motion (throwing a bowling ball or swinging a club) looks simple, but is actually many mini-motions strung together (bowlers, like golfers, often get stuck with too many "swing thoughts").

And most important of all:

> It looks so simple that the average man on the street thinks there is nothing to it, but in fact it's a sport that--to play at a high level--is significantly more difficult than it looks.

[billchao]

I'm curious as to why you would choose a pitcher in baseball as your second choice? I can see the similarity in that they perform a nearly identical action repeatedly to a small target using varying shapes of throws, but it seems like the motions wouldn't be similar enough to translate well (just because pitching is usually an overhand motion and golf is like a really long sidearmed throw).

It's not the arm motion that matters, but the lower body motion. Pitchers use the ground in a similar manner to golfers.

[iacas]

It's not the arm motion that matters, but the lower body motion. Pitchers use the ground in a similar manner to golfers.

That, and the mental game. The tedium. Every pitch, like every shot, is similar and yet entirely different. The pitching motion barely changes, just like the golf swing, but the situations can vary dramatically.

I think pitchers make good practicers, too.

But mostly hockey. Pitchers were well back in my mind, and the only other thing worth mentioning.

Of hockey players, I'd put forwards at the top of the list. Goalies bring up the rear.

[dbuck]

An interesting topic actually, especially if you get past the surface, and oddly enough come back to the surface.

Golf is a stick and a ball, so other things that are sticks and balls, like hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and tennis come to mind. Nicklaus was a pretty good tennis player. Happy Gilmore notwithstanding, hockey is hitting something with a curved stick. I would definitely pick hockey or baseball if I was wanting a long drive competitor though not necessarily a world-class golfer. Dancing, especially ballroom or swing, as well as fencing are interesting out-of the box thinking. Modern golfers are more athletic in general than those of the 70's, though certainly a lot of great golfers through the years have been athletic. They tend to be the wiry speedy kind of athlete as opposed to the bulky linebacker type, but certainly more fit. The quarterback is strong, light on his feet, imaginitive, and has to adapt his throw to different situations.

It was interesting that Eric stated we are over emphasizing the mental aspects. We all know golf is a head game, but at the same time, the best way to beat the head game is not to over-think. I consider myself to be reasonably intelligent as I am employed in a field where that is relatively important. I have a plan when I go play, tailored to my abilities, that would get me around the course in par or better. However, I am around a 15, and usually play pretty close to that. There is nothing much wrong with my plan; my failure is usually in the execution of that plan.

So, I think if I am gonna get a random world class athlete try to make into a world class golfer, the odds favor somebody who plays a game with a stick and a ball, with an outlier of maybe a quarterback or dancer/gymnist.  Probably tennis, baseball, and hockey in that order, then quarterback and gymnist/dancer.

[turtleback]

I choose soccer. Since it's so popular worldwide there is a much larger pool of world class athletes to choose from so I'd have really good odds. ;)

Not according to some of the folks in the Jack vs. Tiger thread.

[InTheRough]

Pitchers.  no doubt.  I was a pitcher for my college baseball team and have recently picked up golf and many of the motions are very similar and the muscles used are also very similar.  Pitchers and golfers need to have a strong lower body and be explosive with a highly coordinate action to generate power while maintaining pinpoint accuracy.  The mental side of things is also very similar...you need to make a good pitch/golf shot with a high level of accuracy and you need to do it now.

My second choice would be a tie between hockey players and position players in baseball because they already have strong hand eye coordination and can generate power with a swing

[ccotenj]

thinking outside the box for a second... formula 1 drivers... they have: - exceptional hand/eye coordination... - ability to maintain a high level of concentration under intense pressure... - ability to provide feedback to their "coach" (i.e. if i do "this", "that" happens)... - very high levels of conditioning and fitness... - "fast" hands... - ability to do a difficult repetitive task over and over (hit the braking zone and apex at every corner for 60 or 70 laps, as one example)... - have little, if any, fear... no idea whether this would work or not... after all, they are rather tiny in size, and who knows whether they could be taught a golf swing (although i'd wager they could be)... but they certainly have several of the tools in their toolbox that would give them a head start on many other athletes...