There are several games in the world, particularly ones that generate a great deal of revenue through ticket sales or TV licensing, that people still argue over with regards to whether or not they can be considered a sport. Golf is, unfortunately, one of these games. Golf is a sport. There is no question about it but it seems that only those who play golf are able to agree with the statement. There is nothing more frustrating for a good golfer than when someone pipes up in the pub and reels off about how huge, unathletic guys are still winning on tour and that golf requires no physical prowess to be good at. First of all, that is not what makes a sport a sport, and secondly it is not true. Golf is a tiring game that requires a practiced and perfected mechanical motion of the body in order to achieve the desired effect on each shot. What is more, the decision making process in golf is not the entirety of the game as each individual who plays is responsible for each strike of the ball. For example, cards is not a sport as the essence of being good at the game comes from the decision making and someone else can turn the cards for you. In golf you are responsible for the actions of the game, thus it is a sport. While he may be "the most interesting man in golf," Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiminez does not help the argument with his awesome workout routine of swinging the knees around while he smokes a big cigar throughout most of his rounds.
13. Saying The 'S' Word During A Round Of Golf
This is just like watching the Stanley Cup playoffs in huge NHL and a team is 1-0 up with five to go in the third and someone suggests that there might be a 'shutout' for the goalie. Immediately someone will score on him. This is the case in golf whenever someone utters the word 'shank.' As soon as it leaves a players lips the shanks begin for someone in the group. A shank is one of the most unexplainable terrible shots in golf. The ball - for a right hander - fires out far to the right without coming far off of the ground at all. It should be easy to fix but it is one of those issues that takes place for a golfer all in his or her mind. Sometimes a case of the shanks can last a few shots, other times it can last a whole season, either way, it can really ruin a round and really is the most unattractive golf shot of them all. With a game that is as internally and mentally focused as golf, shattering a player's focus by uttering the 's' word is something that should be avoided at all costs.
Thomas is currently a postgraduate student of literature at the University of St. Andrews. He enjoys music and golf in his spare time when he isn't writing. Tom completed his first novel in the summer of 2013 which was published at the start of this year. Next year he is going to be working as a teacher in Dubai, continuing his research, and writing as much as possible. Follow on Twitter @Tom_Andrews91
There are several games in the world, particularly ones that generate a great deal of revenue through ticket sales or TV licensing, that people still argue over with regards to whether or not they can be considered a sport. Golf is, unfortunately, one of these games. Golf is a sport. There is no question about it but it seems that only those who play golf are able to agree with the statement. There is nothing more frustrating for a good golfer than when someone pipes up in the pub and reels off about how huge, unathletic guys are still winning on tour and that golf requires no physical prowess to be good at. First of all, that is not what makes a sport a sport, and secondly it is not true. Golf is a tiring game that requires a practiced and perfected mechanical motion of the body in order to achieve the desired effect on each shot. What is more, the decision making process in golf is not the entirety of the game as each individual who plays is responsible for each strike of the ball. For example, cards is not a sport as the essence of being good at the game comes from the decision making and someone else can turn the cards for you. In golf you are responsible for the actions of the game, thus it is a sport. While he may be "the most interesting man in golf," Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiminez does not help the argument with his awesome workout routine of swinging the knees around while he smokes a big cigar throughout most of his rounds. 