Barstool Debate: Is golf a sport or a game?
As long as there have been barstools, there have been men on those barstools arguing about sports, from the big questions all the way down to the minutiae. This week, in light of Tiger Woods’ recent win at the U.S. Open, Anthony Stalter and John Paulsen debate whether or not golf is really a sport.
John: I don’t consider golf a sport. This is not to say that it doesn’t take a lot of skill to master (or to even become good), but the most strenuous thing about it is walking. Walking. A sport is defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” There is no physical exertion, so therefore golf is not a sport. Any competition where a 60 year-old can dominate a 25 year-old is a game. Golf is more similar to pool, darts and bowling than it is to basketball, football or tennis.
Anthony: A sport is defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Golf has everything but physical exertion, so why wouldn’t it be deemed a sport? You’re still competing against other individuals and there’s arguably more skill involved in golf than pool, darts and bowling. While I agree that golf isn’t on the same level as basketball, football or baseball, it’s still a competition that requires people to have a lot of skill in order to master.
John: Right, but a competition requires skill and physical exertion to be a sport, not just one or the other. Due to all the different types of shots, golf definitely requires more skill than those other games, but it’s still a game.
Anthony: Why can’t it be both? I tend to lean towards calling something a sport if it can be played at a professional level. Of course I say that not truly believing bowling is a sport and that can be played on a professional level. Tiger Woods is a great athlete (as was Jack Nicklaus), so I hate to downplay golf and call it a game instead of a sport.
John: You bring up an interesting point. An athlete is defined as “a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of exercise.” Since golf really isn’t sport, one could argue that Tiger Woods is not an athlete at all. I’m not willing to go that far, as I do think all the walking in golf should be considered a form of exercise. But back to your point about a sport being something that can be played on a professional level. Competitive eating is “played” on a professional level, and I doubt you consider that a sport. I will say this – of all the different games out there, golf probably requires the most skill to master.
Anthony: You’re right about competitive eating; that’s why I mentioned that bowling isn’t really a sport even though it can be played on a professional level. Obviously there’s a fine line between calling something a sport, game or activity. I understand the point that golf doesn’t require physical exertion, but after watching Tiger play the U.S. Open recently, it’s hard not to call him an athlete and therefore, one of the best at his sport. This might be putting too much thought into it, but I almost think calling golf a game takes away how good Tiger is. But maybe that’s just me.
John: I’m not trying to diminish how good Tiger is at golf. He is a master of what he does, but I believe he’s a master of a game, not a sport.
Golf is definatly a game. I’ll even go so far as to say ‘just’ a game.
Leave it to the old people and the young people that are old before their time.
Golf is a sport!!! It takes so much skill!! and it has physical activity! Your back and shoulder muscles are used so much it’s insane! I have played golf since I was 8. I am now 18. Over the years I have learned that golf takes so much physical preparation. You’re core must also be stronger than anything! Golf is a sport!!
im 21 one of the top golfers in new jersey and i have to say anyone who thinks it isnt a sport should try playing it
One can go an ‘do an activity’, one can’t go and ‘do a game’…one can play a game.
one doesn’t go golfing, one goes to play golf.
one doesn’t go footballing, one goes to play football.
one doesn’t go basketballing, one goes to play basketball.
one doesn’t go billiarding, or yahtzeeing, or pokering or blackjacking…etc.
however, one does go bowling, sailing, swimming, rowing, cycling, driving.
Therefore, only those that are activities can be sports and have athletes.
So…if driving is an activity and it is performed at a professional level that would make NASCAR a sport.
Hrmmmm…
Kevin – are you saying that football and basketball aren’t sports?
“Therefore, only those that are activities can be sports and have athletes.”
There is probably more physical exertion in a round of golf than playing the outfield in a baseball game. How many times do you actually have to run other than in and out of the dugout…sometimes not at all, other than running to first base 3 or 4x a game. Some of the greatest baseball players in history have said golf is more difficult.
And sure…driving is an activity…on the highway, not at 200mph in traffic with 42 other cars, some only inches away.
I never said that golf isn’t difficult; it’s just not strenuous.
golf is not a sport get over it even in the gelte comericals they say its not a sport
mate im 14 and a 6 marker at a championship golf course i practice every day and own my skill. How can you believe that i would put so much effort into a game. On a hot day you sweat, after practicing your arms are sore and abs are straining. That doesn’t happen after a game of chess! (.) (.)
Y
Sex can bring sweat and strian you. So is sex a sport? i like sex yum yum yumm owww pussy is so good.
wow barks your onto something should sex be an olympic sport?
Game.
The GAME is not won because of the physical endurance of the participant, but the intrigal skill, just like pool or darts.
SPORTS like basketball, football, hockey ect. are won because of the physical endurance and skills of the participants. They need both.
Besides, nobody watches golf anymore…………
If you were already one of the top golfers in the world & in decent shape, your “game” wouldn’t fall completely to hell if you put on 20-30 lbs. of fat.
You’d still have the hand – eye coordination needed to compete in your “game”.
If an athlete competing in a “sport” such as basketball, tae-kwon-do, tennis…etc, packed on that kind of weight, they would most likely fall into amateur status. (If they were able to compete at all.)
By the way, in regard to T-Bones comparison to baseball…Yes I agree that baseball is one of the “laziest sports” out there.
However, a specific degree of athleticism is required at many undetermined moments for a player.
(Having to run/sprint, dive, throw with arm strength…etc.
None of this is required in the GAME OF GOLF.
In regards to James comment:
Obviously, he hasn’t played golf with me if he thinks golf does not require you to run/sprint, dive, throw with arm strength.
If I happen to hit my golf ball into the woods on a northeast U.S. course I could easily find myself RUNNING out and away from deer.
Sometimes I sprint across the fairway to change clubs because or lack of preparation.
Sometimes it is necessary to dive for cover from flying golfballs; especially if you happen to be near the driving range on a particular hole.
Your arm must be in great shape with plenty of strength to heave (THROW) your clubs in the water or woods after many bad shots…..it’s a sport, sport!
Golf IS A SPORT.
Anyone who thinks differently should go and try to play 18 holes. Then they will realize that if golf is just a game,,,, Than they are to weak and uncoordinated to play a “SIMPLE GAME” Golf is even more extreme than basketball or football, does any thing in any other sport move more than 140 miles an hour and go 300+ yards with dead on percission/accuracy, I don’t think so.
GOLF IS A SPORT
“Golf is even more extreme than basketball or football”
hahaha
GAME!
Aren’t football, baseball, basketball, and hockey games as well as sports? I don’t remember anyone ever asking “hey, did you see that football sport last night?” or “do you want to go to the baseball sport with me?” Anthony is absolutely right, golf is both a sport and a game, just like the others.
And if you don’t think golf takes any physical exertion, for six straight days you should hit 1000 balls at the range followed by a round of golf and let’s see how you feel, because that’s what the pros do. Try it in July or August, just for fun.
There are several definitions of the word that golf would fall into. The first definition according to Webster’s encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language is:
“an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.”
So if you still don’t believe golf is a sport, call the folks at Webster and tell them they’re wrong.
You can argue circles about this forever…Remember that the definition for sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” The only real disagreement stems from whether or not golf meets the “physical exertion” criteria (which is not defined in this definition). Since that is not clear everyone seems to have their own arbitrary definitions. James took his arbitrary definition as far as to say that because a golfer could possibly gain weight and remain competitive that golf has to be a game. Use that logic when you tell a Sumo Wrestler that they are not athletes. Sorry for the rant, I just can’t believe how arbitrary some arguments actually become. Back to the point…The definition of exertion is “use of physical or mental energy”. Golf clearly uses physical energy. Most golf courses average over 7,000 yards. That is nearly a 5 mile walk every round. Remember, professional golfers have to walk, no carts allowed. The walking combined with swinging the club is physical exertion according to the definition. It looks like golf meets all the requirements to be a sport, therefore GOLF IS A SPORT.
Simply put, Sports require players to play on teams. Golf is played alone, therefore like darts or checkers, IT IS A GAME. Bowling may be a game, but atleast it’s played with TEAMS…
OK GENIUS, then I suppose masturbation is a sport too?
Since this has turned into a sports thread, I would like to comment that I have never really enjoyed watching football. I am not sure why. I always preferred baseball, and was always slightly depressed after the last out of the baseball season. However, last year, in my office, I won the office pool based on the point spread. One thing I have never been able to understand is how the Las Vegas point spread setters are so accurate. So many scores wind up within a point or two of the point spread. Last night’s game had the Vikings as 4 and a half point underdogs, and they lost by five.
If golfers are not considered athlete then should first basemen and pitchers be considered athletes? They do WAY less than golfers. They swing only about 4-5 times a game and they barely run (at least golfers walk a few miles). Many dominate pitchers, For example C.C. Sabathia, are very fat. If you do not consider Tiger Woods an athlete then Lou Gehrig,Jackie Robinson, and Jimmie Foxx should not be considered athletes as well. And by the way, Babe Ruth, the BEST baseball player of all time was FATTER than 99.999% of golfers.
I live right across from a golf course, and there are lots of serious golfers who are complete fata**es and are drinking beer as they ride their carts around.
Its just a game, not a sport.
Golf I’s without a doubt a sport, a sport is any Activity that needs to be carried out with skill and competition. For an example it takes practice like another sport to become good at golf you can’t just read instructions and play it like checkers. And there’s definitely competition between fellow players, it’s also a game and a sport its a sport but carried out in a game just like football.
I play golf, and have since i was 8. im now 17.
I call it a game because it doesnt require teamwork, and you are your own referee. Golf does however, require more character than any sport out there.
I personally think that sports are generally barbaric, and I for one, do not like them.
Golf is the greatest GAME ever played.
Golf is a game when you play by yourself or with a group of friends for fun. Just like playing catch with a baseball, shooting hoops, kicking soccer balls, etc. they are all considered games or leisurely activities. However, tournament golf is a sport.