Sleepyjack

Ok, i just posted something similar in a golfing post and was disputing the merit of golf being a sport. To me, a sport requires a physical strain/endurance/work element along side the skill of using some kind of projectile (normally a ball).

Since golf has little->no physicality i don't really think of it as a sport.

Anyone else agree, disagree or have a different definition?

I also hate how thye say motor sport, cause it's not, it's more of a competetion or race.

Just a little gripe i have i guess.....

Craven Morehead

"a sport requires a physical strain/endurance/work element along side the skill of using some kind of projectile "

You defninition could very be used to describe autoracing. Sure there are some tubs on lard in NASCAR (Jimmy Spencer comes to mind) but check out F1, CART and the IRL. Those drivers are as fit as any athlete. The difference is they are part of the projectile.

Hemmingway once said something to the effect that bullfighting, mountain climbing and auto racing were all sports, the rest merely games. I'm not sure if I totally agree, but in all three the participant can lose his life if their performance is poor.

BonesCPA

I have to disgree with you. Just taking the pro golfers into consideration, in order to win a tournament they have to play four straight days (ignoring practice rounds and the practice range). That involves on average two swings of the golf club (not putting) and walking the course during that time period - at least four miles a day. And have you ever swung a golf club - it does take some energy/strength. Have you noticed how Tiger Woods came on the scene and changed the exercise regimens of almost everyone on tour? He is in perfect shape, regardless of the sport. Don't you think that has something to do with his success.

And for the non-pros, even when riding a golf cart, there is a lot of energy exuded. We aren't as accurate and are most likely swing the club a lot more. (I look at is as getting my money's worth - I get to play longer for the same amount of money as someone who beats me by 20 strokes. )

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Reddevil63

Autoracing is as much a sport as football or baseball just minus the ball. Believe it or not it takes alot of skill and physical conditioning to be able to endure 3-4 g's atleast twice a lap plus the 140+ degree temps for 3 hours or so. Not to mention the concentration factor because if you lose your concentration going 200 mph you can very well lose your life.

Mango

At one time I would have disagreed with the golf is not a sport idea. However, in the last few years I have been golfing 1-2 times/year (local electrical suppliers buying) and it is a work out. By tthe end of 18 holes you can feel thet you have been out working. It also takes a lot of skill. I have a lot of skill, however it is not on the golf course. I have the meanest 300yd slice going.

The_Dude

I'll have to say golf is a sport too because it takes a lot of strength to do drive the ball up there.

Also, you need a lot of skill to put the ball in the hole in as much strokes as possible.

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omnigod

Drumming should be a sport, dammit!

gov135

Again, I really feel that athletes can participate in sports. Non-athletes can also participate in sports.

Carl Lewis can become the greatest lawn bowler ever - just because Carl Lewis is an athlete doesn't mean lawn bowling is a sport.

Because 'athlete' and 'sport' are mutually exclusive of each other, one cannot be used to prove the other.

I can't overemphasize number three below.

Definition of Sport (no, it is not mine):
1. At the end of each game they must be a winner and a loser.
2. There must be practice, which is non-competitive, that teaches the skills of the game.
3. Throughout the game there must be "official rules and procedures".
4. Throughout the game "tactics and strategies" should be used.
5. Muscle and nerve coordination should be taught and learned.
6. A repeating "movement or form" that includes a "certain degree of risk" or effort.
7. A teacher or coach whom is not only trained in skills of that particular sport but other subjects like nutrition.

The_Dude

gov135, doesnt golf match all of those requirements?

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laconic1

Auto racing is definitely a sport. People tend to think "Oh they're just driving cars around, I can do that." A race car isn't like a normal car. The tires are about 50-100% wider than normal street car tires, the rubber is much stickier, the suspensions much more rigid for ultimate performance. Yes, they have power steering, but it isn't the soft, cushy power steering on your car. Most people never have their car anywhere near its limits, let alone at its limits for several hours in close quarters. The performance of a race car is astounding and the physical and mental ability to handle one of those machines successfully is pretty impressive as well.

Kurant

ANyone who wants to deny golf being a sport, needs to have they're head examined.

I would pay money to see the non-athletic people who don't play, or criticize golf as a sport, walk 72 holes in 4 days. Then tell me you don't have to be in shape to do that.

Ignorance is bliss, the people that dont play, don't know, and are always the quickest to criticize.

Sleepyjack

yeah sorry i don't know much about golf, cause for me its a little boring. However i appreciate the vast amount of skill involved, i played a few holes and sucked really bad cause it's mainly a skill thing. I could hit the ball extremely far (ha modesty) but its a bit more than that, cause it went all haywire.

Most other "sports" i think of in my head, i can pick up quite easily (mainly cause i am atheltic so its an advantage in most other "sports"), maybe since i am pretty bad at golf i don't like to think its a sport?

I appreciate everyone's responses, and yes i guess it is after sheding more light realise golf maybe be a sport

Sorry, but it seems the sports i don't like (which are quite limited really, mainly rugby, golf and motor sport), i don't like to think of them as sports. Normally i am not so quick to judge, but i find myself, atm, with an open mind.

also nice definition gov135

Although with all this golf stuff, i did play supa golf the other day, which is modified golf on a smaller course and it was quite fun. Mainly cuz you race around the course quite fast and seems to make it a bit more exciting. I was still pretty bad at it, only good at hitting the ball far....

exactly how far is it to walk 72 holes in 4 days? approx.. i know holes are different lengths.

Booboo

I wouldn't know how far really.. because you have to take into account your not just walking the length of the courses.. sometimes you need to look for your ball=P But i'm sure its a good distance.. and if you carry your bag when you walk.. thats a good extra 20-40 pounds.. some guys have a lot of clubs=P

Thats a good workout.. considering a par 3 is usually 100-200 yards and par 5's can be anywhere from 500-600 ish yards.. thats a lot of football fields .. 72 holes anywhere from 100-600 yards each. Thats just walking and not even taking into consideration how much energy you use swinging the club hundreds of times dring those days. hell i'm sore after playing 18 and riding the cart=P

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gov135

Yes, it does.

Kurant

How far is 18 holes? Well, I'll give you an example..

Pinehurst #8 (US Open was held there a few years back, Payne Stewart won it, if I remember correctly) is 6698 yards. 20094 feet. Rougly 4 miles. So 16 miles in 4 days.