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Golf a Sport?

  • 18-08-2006 1:46pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭


    No disrespect intended, but is Golf really worthy the title of a Sport.
    More a game really isn't it. It's not like Athletes are competing.
    A very skillful game at that


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,956 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    It's not like Athletes are competing

    I tell you what, you play 72 holes over 4 days in front of thousands of fans and tell me their not competing!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭delboy159


    I have individual Leinster medals and team All-Ireland medals in Athletics and County and Leinster medals in GAA (football) from my younger days and I can tell you that I'm not even within an asses roar of competing at local level in golf - I've spent the last 6 months trying to improve at this game and it still has me stumped. How the pros manage to string together such consistent golf under such pressure and on such difficult and long courses astounds me - and I've competed at a few sports....

    Go out and play a round and try to break 100 strokes - which is considered poor enough (the level I'm at) - then you'll see if its a sport or not..


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    OP, do you think snooker is a sport?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    Or darts even?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 387 ✭✭css


    I guess it all comes down to your perception of what a Sport is. If you think all sports involve running/jumping/being superfit then you might perceive golf to be a non-sport. Is horse riding/jumping/racing a sport? You don't need to be superfit to be a jockey/rider, it's the same argument.

    Golf fitness is entirely different to the fitness required for most sports. Have you ever seen Tiger stop his swing before he hits the ball??
    I challenge you to find a sport where the athelete can do that!! The strength required to stop yourself mid-swing is absolutely incredible...


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭slumped


    I think if the Irish Sports Council deem it a sport then they obviously have grounds for spending millions of euro on it.

    I think the OP is just stirring some sh1t

    S


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭armchairninja


    All I have to say is look at Tiger Woods!

    He gets out of bed at 5 in the morning and goes on a 4 or 5 mile run, he then comes back and does another few hours in the Gym, before going to the course for a round or two, and then to the range for a few hours!

    And thats EVERYDAY!.....Going on that he trains harder and longer than most "sports people"!

    And even he sweats at the end of a round of golf, so I think its alot more than a skill game!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,240 ✭✭✭Endurance Man


    Agree with slumped, reckon the OP's just a bit sore cause he sucks ;). I just got off the course after playing what can only be called a very large mountain, good fun all the same. This game tests the body and the mind vigerously, its a great sport.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    I'm not doubting the skill level of the game. I agree it's quite a difficult game and I myself very rarely break the 100 stroke mark. But if old men can play it 2-3 times a week, and I mean OLD men, then to me it's not Sport as I would see it. Maybe you golfers believe it to be or want it to be. Darts and snooker are even better examples of GAMES, not Sport. They are skillful games. It's like Ludo, Chess, snakes and ladders. Though I'm sure somewhere down the line these may make the Olympics and be classified as sport. I see sport as not just competeing on a skill level, but also having a decent endurance/stamina and guts level. Like say Track and Field, Cycling, swimming, Rowing, Boxing, Wrestling, soccer, Rugby. Now they're sports!!!

    And before anyone says Golfers are fit and stuff, Old bloody men are constantly poncing around golf courses. Fit for their standars, but athletes???


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,956 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    Do these old men play 72 holes in 4 days?

    Going by that logic Soccer is a game, as I have seen guys in their 50's play it twice a week. Seriously think!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 387 ✭✭css


    The greatest thing about golf is the ability of all ages to play it.

    Those old men you are on about, will tap the ball 100 yards up the fairway at a time. They will have handicaps that are more than likely quite high.

    You say you can barely break 100, well to break the 100, 90, and 80 mark takes not just skill, but a certain level of fitness. It might not be marathon running fitness, but there you go. As I said before, the next time you are on the course, take a full strength swing at a ball, and then try to stop the club before you hit the ball...

    A game or a sport is a good one, I'd go with a sport, I've had this conversation before.. ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    irish1 wrote:
    Do these old men play 72 holes in 4 days?

    Going by that logic Soccer is a game, as I have seen guys in their 50's play it twice a week. Seriously think!

    Look let's be realistic. I'm sure 50 and 60 year olds could have a go at anytyhing whether it be boxing, running, soccer, Rugby, but to be actually competitive and rival the best in that sport, I don't think so. Kevin Keegan for example can still run and play soccer, but he's never again going to play for England is he?. The thing with Golf is that men in their late 40's and 50's, men like Montgomerie (a picture of health) are actually at the top of the game.
    To say they are fit is ludicrous as regards real sports fitness. Golf is a great game that requires skill, concentration and natural ability. But so does snooker, darts, archery, Bowls etc etc. Don't try tell me that Monty is the picture of an athlete, or Jack Nicklaus, up until very recently he was still doing very well. I'm sure there are golfers out there who do cardio training and maybe the odd weights, but so what.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭sofireland


    Two words. Tiger Woods
    He's only just over 30 and he's won 12 majors!!
    He's fit! You can tell by looking at him...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 387 ✭✭css


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    To say they are fit is ludicrous as regards real sports fitness. Golf is a great game that requires skill, concentration and natural ability. But so does snooker, darts, archery, Bowls etc etc. Don't try tell me that Monty is the picture of an athlete, or Jack Nicklaus, up until very recently he was still doing very well. I'm sure there are golfers out there who do cardio training and maybe the odd weights, but so what.

    Ok so take your real world really fit athelete and tell him to drive the ball 330 yards, and hit over 90% of fairways, every week. Golf is an entirely different kind of fitness. These guys have hit thousands of golf balls PER DAY practicing. You still ignore my post about stopping your swing though...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    I think you are misunderstanding fitness. It's the same type of fitness required to walk a flight of stairs, make a cup of tea or go for a leisurely stroll.
    I'm talking about athletes who really exert themselves and work hard. Footballers, cyclists swimmers etc. Never try compare what Golfers and old men do on a golf course to what real athletes do. This thing about the swing and stopping. Yes it's a skill one must perfect. You don't get that from threadmills, bagwork and hard training. It's perfected over time and requires a natural flair. Same with snooker, practice makes perfect, but natural flair is also needed. No amount of fitness or lack of will determine whether or not you can do it. Games require skill, concentration and ability with the slightest of emphasis placed on fitness, courage, guts and heart. Sport requires it all.
    Jack Nicklaus will be able to play golf till' he drops, because fitness is not needed. Well at least reall fitness that is. Anyway what's the harm in calling it a game rather than a sport!!

    Sport is for athletes, games are for everyone


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 387 ✭✭css


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    I think you are misunderstanding fitness. It's the same type of fitness required to walk a flight of stairs, make a cup of tea or go for a leisurely stroll.
    I'm talking about athletes who really exert themselves and work hard. Footballers, cyclists swimmers etc. Never try compare what Golfers and old men do on a golf course to what real athletes do. This thing about the swing and stopping. Yes it's a skill one must perfect. You don't get that from threadmills, bagwork and hard training. It's perfected over time and requires a natural flair. Same with snooker, practice makes perfect, but natural flair is also needed. No amount of fitness or lack of will determine whether or not you can do it. Games require skill, concentration and ability with the slightest of emphasis placed on fitness, courage, guts and heart. Sport requires it all.
    Jack Nicklaus will be able to play golf till' he drops, because fitness is not needed. Well at least reall fitness that is. Anyway what's the harm in calling it a game rather than a sport!!

    Sport is for athletes, games are for everyone

    You are mixing things up entirely. You go on about 50-60 year old golfers being still able to play. Yet you do not go on about 50-60 year old atheletes who can still run/play football/whatever.

    You can play golf until you drop, but you won't be competing at the top as much as the younger fit guys. Jack Nicklaus has stopped playing competitively btw.

    It's all the one what you call it, but saying golf is just a game, and not being proficient at it yourself, is like saying motor racing is for girls, and not being able to drive yourself. A bit rich. I will say no more. :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,956 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    Never try to compare what old men do on a golf course to what the professional golfers do every day of the week. The ammount of training they do is incredible, its like comparing my sunday league team players to Arsenal players. Soccer is a game for some and a sport for others same goes for golf, I realy don't think you realise the ammount of work Pro golfers do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭armchairninja


    Well for a Sport thats apparently not a Sport, I have one thing to say look at the 100 celebrities list, Tiger Woods(GOLFER) is the highest ranked Sportsperson, then the next nearest person is Ali(RETIRED and can Barely move) and then Phil Mickelson(Another Golfer).....
    ANd woods is classed as an ATHLETE whose primary Attribute is Talented and his second is...:eek: :eek: :eek: PHYSICALLY FIT!

    Second of all, the 50-60 yr olds you talk about, hit the ball about 75 yards at a time, and walk at a snails pace, they get out more for the socialising....

    And 50-60 year olds can run,kick, punch etc. just cos there not competitive anymore in the sport theyre playing doesnt mean its not a sport

    http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/Athletes_Rank.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 191 ✭✭allin-king


    css wrote:
    . Is horse riding/jumping/racing a sport? You don't need to be superfit to be a jockey/rider, it's the same argument.

    OT but to say a jockey doesn't have to be fit is possibly the stupidest thing i've ever read here!

    They are probably the fittest and most dedicated of sportsman there are,
    every muscle in your body would be aching if you galloped for a mile like a jockey, not to mention the horrible weight limits they must keep


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    allin-king wrote:
    OT but to say a jockey doesn't have to be fit is possibly the stupidest thing i've ever read here!

    They are probably the fittest and most dedicated of sportsman there are,
    every muscle in your body would be aching if you galloped for a mile like a jockey, not to mention the horrible weight limits they must keep

    I agree and possibly the bravest of all sports people. As for Woods being the highest ranked sportsperson. I know as golf is the richest 'sport' on the planet. And don't tell me that has nothing to do with corporate Involvement.
    It began as a game for old men and the wealthy old men who after they retired, they took up Golf. Then the monet really went OTT and of course then it became so very serious and scientific. But to try and justify Woods or Monty or Harrington earning money as they do, to what say Lance Armstrong earns
    is silly. The Seniors on the senior tours are earning millions per year. Who in gods name would pay to watch these has-beens struggling around a golf course. But that's the crazy world of sport we live in today. Sorry I disagree with the majority, but no matter what spin is put on it, Golf to me will always be a game for the elderley. A retirement game.

    Enjoyable at that by the way, playing I mean. To watch you;d have to be a wee bit MAD!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,366 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    To those who dont think that golf is a sport, are soccer goalkeepers sportsmen?
    What defines a sport?
    Exertion, sweat, competition?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,366 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    It began as a game for old men
    Really?
    Tell that to the shepherds in Scotland then will ya?
    If you are going to make statements like that, at least do some research.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭kc66


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    The thing with Golf is that men in their late 40's and 50's, men like Montgomerie (a picture of health) are actually at the top of the game.

    Montgomerie is only in his early 40s. Maybe the exertion and pressure of the sport make him look older.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,240 ✭✭✭Endurance Man


    GreeBo wrote:
    To those who dont think that golf is a sport, are soccer goalkeepers sportsmen?
    What defines a sport?
    Exertion, sweat, competition?

    Well put..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66 ✭✭lopppy


    the max recieved on the senior tour last year was 277,000 and only 3 made more than 200 grand....millions ya?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,366 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    lopppy wrote:
    the max recieved on the senior tour last year was 277,000 and only 3 made more than 200 grand....millions ya?
    ahh dont go ruining his arguments with facts!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭armchairninja


    And for a game thats not a sport, why then do the 2 biggest manufacturers of sports wear and equipment have such a large involvement in it

    i.e. Nike, who sponser the likes of Tiger, Faldo, Immelman, Cink

    and

    Adidas, who sponser the likes of Garcia and Goosen...

    TBH, I think your fighting a loosing battle as it is a sport and money only became a big factor after woods entered the game and brought it to the next level with his "then" rediculous" training regime and attitude towrds the game.

    And as for Monty, Hes in his forties and able to keep up with the younger of the game because of his fitness levels and training.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    And for a game thats not a sport, why then do the 2 biggest manufacturers of sports wear and equipment have such a large involvement in it

    i.e. Nike, who sponser the likes of Tiger, Faldo, Immelman, Cink

    and

    Adidas, who sponser the likes of Garcia and Goosen...

    TBH, I think your fighting a loosing battle as it is a sport and money only became a big factor after woods entered the game and brought it to the next level with his "then" rediculous" training regime and attitude towrds the game.

    And as for Monty, Hes in his forties and able to keep up with the younger of the game because of his fitness levels and training.

    I may have been losing the arguement until you came up wit the absurd notion that Monty is keeping up with the young lads due to fitness. Monty and fitness should never be used in the same sentence. Laughable!!!!!

    For god's sake, they don't even carry their own poxy clubs. How lazy can one get. Fit my arse. You guys wouldn't recognise an athlete if he stood in front of you. It's an insult to the greats of sport like Ali, Pele, Armstrong, Michael Johnson, Redgrave, Sampras etc to attempt to call these pro golfers sportsmen, let alone athletes!!!.

    Nicklaus retired very recently at aged 65 or there abouts. If that's not evidence that the game does not require athletes fitness, I don't know what to say. And I'm sure he'll go on playing to the morons who are willing to pay big money to see him and older compete on the Seniors tour


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,956 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    Oh dear god, seriously man have you ever seen a Pro train??

    I saw the players warming up on the range before the European open at the K Club and I can tell you you would have to be seriously fit to be able to do that warm up then play a round of golf which on average means a walk of around 6 miles a round.

    Plus mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,366 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    Fit my arse.
    Have you every played a proper game of golf?
    Have you ever gone to the range and hit 4 or 5 buckets of balls?
    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    You guys wouldn't recognise an athlete if he stood in front of you. It's an insult to the greats of sport like Ali, Pele, Armstrong, Michael Johnson, Redgrave, Sampras etc to attempt to call these pro golfers sportsmen, let alone athletes!!!.
    Interesting how many of these guys have taken up golf and not been very good.
    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    Nicklaus retired very recently at aged 65 or there abouts. If that's not evidence that the game does not require athletes fitness
    What was he winning?
    What tour was he on?
    You havent a clue about the game and yet feel that you are entitled to knock it.
    Its a non contact sport so people can play it for longer, big deal.

    Answer my previous question, is a golkeeper a sportsman?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,792 ✭✭✭J.R.HARTLEY


    GreeBo wrote:
    You havent a clue about the game
    on the nose, he's clueless but he's going to keep ramming his BS down your throat cause he can't respect that in other peoples opinions Golf is a sport, you must agree with him.
    from golfdigest.com
    When he is not competing, Woods typically spends three or four hours a day, five times a week, in the gym. For these high-intensity workouts, he varies the focus of each session from strength training to improvements in cardiovascular performance. He usually starts with 30 minutes of some kind of cardiovascular warm-up exercise such as pedaling on a stationary bike. Then he'll perform a 30-minute session of total-body stretching, focusing on the muscles of the legs and trunk. A trainer assists him with physical therapy, manipulating his body to prepare the joints for the rigors of swinging a golf club as violently as Woods does. Everything from the kneecaps to the vertebrae are prepared for battle.

    For Woods, a typical three- or four-hour workout combines light cardio exercise and some heavy lifting.

    Then it's back to cardiovascular exercise. In the gym, he varies the machines he uses for this, including a treadmill, a stair stepper and a climbing machine that focuses on his upper body. Woods "loves to run, and will jog usually three to four miles, and almost always on grass,''.

    When Woods finishes his cardio workout, he moves to strength training. On high-intensity days, he lifts 80 percent of his maximum weight doing exercises such as the bench press, the shoulder press and squats. (Some people who have seen him work out estimate he can bench-press about 300 pounds.) One of the reasons Woods added 25 pounds to his frame is that he focused his weight training on lifting heavy weights in sets of six to eight repetitions.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    The real athletes I mentioned may not have been good at Golf. It's not their chosen field and that has nothing whatsoever to do with their fitness or their athletic ability. Golf is quite a specialist activity. Sure any old man can play the game, but to be good at it and I mean pro level, it takes natural talent and serious practice. Monty, Nicklaus and dozens of other guys are examples. Sure they can walk 20 or so miles over 4 days, big F***ING deal. Who can't?. And that's at a real leisurely pace, they don't carry their clubs and the effort they put into swinging a club maybe 60 times in a round is hardly worth marvelling at now is it. Tell me when you ever saw a golfer really exert themselves or even beak a bloody sweat. You do not see it, plain and simple. It's actually not possible. I've played many rds and the only tiredness I felt was thru boredom, I was mentally drained. But I can tell you one thing, If I was getting 200k-300k for finishing in the top 5, I'm sure I'd stay awake a wee bit longer. Get over yourselves and admit that golf, though skillfull, lacks the real athletes ability and fitness levels. It's not suposed to be about strength, aglity, stamina, guts and courage. It's about which player can hold his game the longest and maintain his concentration. Take away the money and I bet you the majority of those guys would fall asleep on the bloody course


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,956 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    You really haven't got a clue have you?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 387 ✭✭css


    This thread should be locked, as it really is pointless.

    Sugar Ray, go hit 5 buckets of 100 golf balls at your driving range of choice, and then come back and tell us that the game doesn't require fitness. You won't be able to move the next day.

    Your concept of fitness is sprint 100 laps or whatever, but just because you can do 100 laps and not break a sweat, does that mean you can free-climb a mountain? Just with Golf it's a different kind of fitness, get over it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    What's there to have a clue about?, it's hardly rocket science is it.
    Golf, you casually stroll around lucious green grass fields, occasionally stopping to swing a metal club at a ball, you follow this ball until it drops into a little hole and repeat the steps mentioned for as long as it takes to claim victory and reap the rewards. Oh I nearly forgot, you have a servant to carry your clubs and if you get a wee bit tired, you can always use a motorised cart. Apat from that I think I have it covered. Sport? a BIG maybe, athletes? a BIG no!!!!!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,956 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    LOL, mods please close, clearly a troll at this stage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭kc66


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    I've played many rds and the only tiredness I felt was thru boredom, I was mentally drained.

    You feel mentally drained when you are bored? There mustn't be a lot to drain so!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 304 ✭✭Dagnir Glaurung


    The OP has got the definition of sport all wrong in his head. Sport is not to do with being superfit and sweating otherwise things like competitve eating and cheerleading would be sports. Sport basically requires two things:
    1) Skill
    2) Physical Exertion
    Both of which golf fulfills. There are other conditions of course but they can be argued about
    3) Scoring system
    4) Competition
    Which gold again fulfills.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭armchairninja


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    I may have been losing the arguement until you came up wit the absurd notion that Monty is keeping up with the young lads due to fitness. Monty and fitness should never be used in the same sentence. Laughable!!!!

    Of course your right again, hes not keeping up with them, hes actually ahead of most, hes 7th in the euro tour order of merit!

    http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B7E944807%2D48EC%2D411A%2DB82A%2DD56203FDC915%7D
    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    For god's sake, they don't even carry their own poxy clubs. How lazy can one get
    Their clubs are in a bag, they bag also, holds spare shoes,socks, gloves, clothes,wet gear, foot, drink, golf balls and any other things the players mite want!
    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    Nicklaus retired very recently at aged 65 or there abouts
    Recently?, Last Year at the 2005 open!, he retired there as he saw the home of golf as a place fit for him to play his final stroke!..and he hadnt been competing for a good while beforehand!

    Never seen a player break a sweat!

    050811_tigerw_vmed_8a.standard.jpg

    Must be a comfort blanket!:D

    2001-06-11-inside-woods2.jpg

    Must be wiping rain off his brow!:D

    And when you mentioned great athletes, you forgot Justin Gatlin, who had a shared world record for 100m, oh wait, thats right!, he was so great he had to use drugs!...my apologies:rolleyes:

    And as for Strength, woods at the PGA 2 years ago, carried a ball over the back of a green 373 yards away, he hit a 5 iron 252 yards at baltusrol and at Medinah at the weekend he chopped a 7 iron out of the thickest rough, to within 3 feet of the pin...maybe it was luck all a long:rolleyes:
    And he isnt even the biggest hitter on the tour!.

    Is swimming a sport in your books?, because i've seen OAPs swim continually for an hour or more, but then again, theres not a whole lot to it, kick the legs, push the water out to the sides with your hands!:cool:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Sugar_Ray


    Yes swimming is most definitely a sport. Phelps, Popov, Spitz, Biondi etc are athletes of the highest level. They all retired in their 20's (EXCEPT PHELPS), because it was too physically demanding for them to compete at the highest level, where as Tubby out of shape golfers like Monty can still have a laugh playing while morons like some on this THREAD PAY TO WATCH!!!. Like I said Golf just might make the title Sport, stll a whole way to go before I'd regard them as being close to athletes.

    As for Woods sweating, sometimes walking can do that to a person!!!!!!
    Imagine what he'd be like if he had to exert himself!!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭armchairninja


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    As for Woods sweating, sometimes walking can do that to a person!!!!!!
    Imagine what he'd be like if he had to exert himself!!!!

    If he had to exert himself?, everytime he hits the ball, he uses more muscles than most footballers use, he coils up on the ball, putting immense pressure on the stomach, and lower back muscles, then theres his legs, arms, shoulders, neck!(look it up).
    Infact he had to have surgery on his knee as a result of the pressures his swing puts on it!

    And i thought you said earlier that no-one has ever seen a golfer sweat,and when you are presented with evidence, your claiming its because of the walking!...I mean get a life!

    I notice you never replied to the fact that most of the greats you mention are involved in a sport which has been marred by drug controversy!...whereas golf, well the only controversy there is the use of cameras!

    Awaitng next rediculously stupid and unfounded comment?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭RuggieBear


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    Yes swimming is most definitely a sport. Phelps, Popov, Spitz, Biondi etc are athletes of the highest level. They all retired in their 20's (EXCEPT PHELPS), because it was too physically demanding for them to compete at the highest level, where as Tubby out of shape golfers like Monty can still have a laugh playing while morons like some on this THREAD PAY TO WATCH!!!. Like I said Golf just might make the title Sport, stll a whole way to go before I'd regard them as being close to athletes.

    As for Woods sweating, sometimes walking can do that to a person!!!!!!
    Imagine what he'd be like if he had to exert himself!!!!


    Banned for abuse.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,952 ✭✭✭✭MisterAnarchy


    Sugar_Ray wrote:
    But to try and justify Woods or Monty or Harrington earning money as they do, to what say Lance Armstrong earns
    is silly
    Alot of people would not regard cycling as a sport.
    It more an endurance test and test of ones physical condition rather than being skilled.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 387 ✭✭css


    Reread the posts, it's a windup.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,240 ✭✭✭Endurance Man


    css wrote:
    Reread the posts, it's a windup.

    Was thinking the same thing, i reckon he just sucks, wants to be good so though he would have a dig ;).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭slumped


    Can someone close this thread or move it to Frisbee and rename it "Frisbee a Sport"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 64 ✭✭GOAT_Ali


    Just read thru a few of the POST's. Seriously I think the original poster has made some very valid points. Maybe he has went a little OTT, But let's be honest. Golf is not what I would really call sport. It is most definitely skillful and requires a lot of mental concentration, but I see it purely as a leisure activity for the elderley and serious big business fo the pros. It's all about money money and more money. Apparently the guys like Des Smyth, and O'connor Jnr are earning more money now on the Seniors than they ever earned on the tour. That can't be good for Golf and tells me that it really is dominated by business and corporations. Now apart from maybe Tennis which most definitely is a sport for young fit athletes, what other sports have Seniors earning cash like they do in Golf? At last the SENIORS on theTennis circuit actually look like they are earning it. It takes a lot out of them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,366 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    GOAT_Ali wrote:
    but I see it purely as a leisure activity for the elderley and serious big business fo the pros.
    What about the majority of those who play golf who do not fall into your two extremes?
    GOAT_Ali wrote:
    Apparently the guys like Des Smyth, and O'connor Jnr are earning more money now on the Seniors than they ever earned on the tour.
    Yeah, becuase the game has changed a lot in 20 years, there is more money in it.
    Id be willing to gamble that Ile Nastasie et al are earning more now than they did when they were on the tennis tour.

    Im not sure how you can say that playing golf doesnt "take it out of you".
    What level of golf are you describing?
    It sounds like you are comparing the golf that you know to the tennis that the senior pros play.
    Apples to oranges mate.
    I can go to a tennis court and play a game and not be falling down dead, likewise I can play a round of golf in somewhere like Druids Glen and be knackered at the end of it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 64 ✭✭GOAT_Ali


    GreeBo wrote:
    What about the majority of those who play golf who do not fall into your two extremes?


    Yeah, becuase the game has changed a lot in 20 years, there is more money in it.
    Id be willing to gamble that Ile Nastasie et al are earning more now than they did when they were on the tennis tour.

    Im not sure how you can say that playing golf doesnt "take it out of you".
    What level of golf are you describing?
    It sounds like you are comparing the golf that you know to the tennis that the senior pros play.
    Apples to oranges mate.
    I can go to a tennis court and play a game and not be falling down dead, likewise I can play a round of golf in somewhere like Druids Glen and be knackered at the end of it.

    Knackered from what exactly. I think alot are missing the point. A lot of things can make you knackered, but they aren't necessarily tough. If I was to stay awake for 48 hrs I'm sure I'd be knackered and yes walking around a golf course for 5 hrs will take a toll. So will walking around a supermarket. What's your point? To tell me that they actually exert themselves compared to tennis players or Rugby players or soccer players is so far from true it's just silly. I have mentioned the likes of Smyth and O'connor and they are damn well old yet what they do is no different physicaly from what the younger players re doing. They are playing just as much golf, if not more than the pros on the circuit. Are you honestly trying to say that Smyth and O'Connor are athletes?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,366 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    GOAT_Ali wrote:
    Knackered from what exactly.
    From exerting myself.
    GOAT_Ali wrote:
    Are you honestly trying to say that Smyth and O'Connor are athletes?
    Are you honestly trying to tell me that a golakeeper is an athlete?
    I can stand in a field for 90 minutes with the best of them. Does that make me an athlete?


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