Is golf a sport?

[greekguy]

A simple enough question. I was talking to some friends about this the other day, and a bunch of them said it is a sport. Yes, golf is a sport if qualifying as a sport just means having to be skilled at something, but I think a sport should also include athleticism. also, if a person in bad physical condition can succeed at something, then it shouldn't be a sport, at least IMO.

so what do you guys think?

poll coming...

 

[Swedishguy]

Hey, why don't you post these kind of threads in Sports Talk?

 

[warpus]

If athleticism is required for something to be termed a sport.. then baseball wouldn't be a sport.

Then again chess and ballroom dancing are considered sports by some, so perhaps you're onto something.

 

[thetrooper]

Sport, yes. Athletics, no.

Next question please.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

A sport requires 3 things:Mud, Blood & Glory.

Golf has 1, 2 at best.

 

[ComradeDavo]

I'd say it was sport, yes.

 

[Fifty]

If the mods move this thread to the sports forum, then yes. If not, then no.

 

[nc-1701]

Well, I say we can include Golf if we can also include Chess...Deal!?

Is it played in the Olympics?

 

[Tank_Guy#3]

I see sports as involving heavy physical activity. Something that actually makes the heart & lungs go into overdrive and actually cause muscle pain (from exertions). I've golfed, but I've never been as exhausted from playing golf as I ever have been playing football (American), hockey or soccer. Yes I do play soccer and hockey, there were the few sports in Phy Ed that I actually gave all my effort in.

 

[Fifty]

For chess, I'd say once you get to a high enough level then it becomes a sport. I don't know much (anything) about high level chess, but I recall Kasparov once saying that a huge number of games between high level players are essentially decided by physical fitness.

 

[Masquerouge]

Golf requires physical activity. It is a sport.
A person in bad physical condition can play golf, but he will probably suck. Try pulling off a 300-yard drive.
Chess requires mental activity. It's not a sport.

 

[Zarn]

Golf doesn't require enough physical activity to be a sport. You just swing a club.

@Masque: Although I do not think chess is a sport, I can argue that US football has a lot to do with mental capacity.

QB, RB, C, FS, and ILB in particular; not to mention the coaches

 

[Swedishguy]

Golf requires physical activity. It is a sport.
A person in bad physical condition can play golf, but he will probably suck. Try pulling off a 300-yard drive.
Chess requires mental activity. It's not a sport.

So if it requires mental activity, it is not a sport?

 

[Jawz II]

Golf is a sport like I'm the most handsome guy who has ever lived.

Sort of.

 

[Urederra]

And what about Curling?

(This week is the canadians non apreciation week)

 

[GoodEnoughForMe]

Golf requires physical activity. It is a sport.
A person in bad physical condition can play golf, but he will probably suck. Try pulling off a 300-yard drive.

Wll, John Daly might have somethnig to say about that...

I would say it's better categorized as a competition, since it is not physically demanding.

 

[Yoda Power]

I don't see why it shouldn't...

 

[Mirc]

Not a sport. And neither is chess.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Should golf qualify as a sport?

Its an outdoor hobby. Not all outdoor hobbies are sports.

 

[cthom]

And what about Curling?

(This week is the canadians non apreciation week)

curling and golf are two of the finest sports on earth requiring thought, precision, physical exercise, and a scottish win some time soon.