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Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:46 pm EDT

Teeing off with JB and JB: So is golf a sport or not?

By Jay Busbee

Every week, Yahoo! Sports golf editor Michael Arkush and Devil Ball editor Jay Busbee take one topic and blast it all over the course. But since Ark is out for the week playing golf with celebrities like Jerry West, it's just JB here. My original topic, "Jay Busbee: Great Golf Blogger or Greatest Golf Blogger?" seemed a little obvious and unnecessary, so we go with this chestnut: is golf a sport or what?

BUSBEE: It happens every time we get people wandering over here who aren't golf fans to view one of the Tiger or crazy-golf-hole posts: some sharp fellow will offer up some witty variation on the old "fat guys hitting a white ball with a stick ain't a sport" theme. Their argument, poorly spelled as it is, is this: how hard can it be to swing a club at a ball? The idea being, a sport involves rigorous physical competition that demands the utmost from its participants. The fact that you can continue to golf while tipping 300 pounds indicates that golf is closer to the World Series of Poker than football.

BUSBEE: You're exactly right! And in the World Series Of Poker, they walk six miles over the course of the game, right? And tossing those chips into the pot demands complete precision and a total mastery of oneself and one's muscles, right? Please. Golf can be played in a slack, careless manner, but as anybody who's ever watched the L.A. Clippers or the Kansas City Royals can tell you, so can "traditional" athletes.

BUSBEE: Yeah, but as columnist Dan LeBatard once said, any activity where you can eat a hot dog while competing isn't a sport. Plus, there's nobody actually trying to stop you from putting the ball in the hole. If you did have the threat of offensive linemen flattening you, it'd definitely speed up the game and take it into the realm of sport, but without that possibility, it's an activity, nothing more.

BUSBEE: And those designated hitters, those relief pitchers, those football kickers, those hockey and basketball defensive stoppers who come into the game for thirty seconds, those guys are more athletically legitimate than golfers? You're an idiot and I can't believe you and I share a mind. Golf is absolutely a sport, and I can prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Look up at the top of this page. Does it say "Yahoo! Activities"? "Yahoo! Games"? "Yahoo! Recreational Pursuits"? No. Done and done.

Okay, you're up. Is golf a sport or not? Settle the issue while I go off to therapy.

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149 Comments

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  1. spencer
    1. Posted by spencer Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:15 pm EDT

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    Sport, without a doubt,
  2. Masked1
    2. Posted by Masked1 Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:42 pm EDT

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    Golf is a sport... its just not a game. Not all sports have to be games, football, baseball, tennis... all games that are also sports.
    Sports are about competition, with another person or against ones self... its a sport. Games are against other teams or people. Either way... competition = sport.
  3. Jay Busbee
    3. Posted by Jay Busbee Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:48 pm EDT

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    CP, I hadn't even thought about that! You're a genius! Double the output with half the work!
  4. Alan
    4. Posted by Alan Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:15 pm EDT

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    If you think its NOT - you've never played it to any degree of success!
  5. kent n
    5. Posted by kent n Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:18 pm EDT

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    Golf is more a sport than auto racing or horse racing.
  6. Terminator X
    6. Posted by Terminator X Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:19 pm EDT

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    golf requires skill, endurance, competetion, and pressure. Sport for sure. Also anyone think of a game where so much is on your mind?
  7. Travis
    7. Posted by Travis Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    Golf is a sport & one does not need to be an athlete to play, or to play well . Archery requires slightly more athleticism, lawn bowling somewhat less ! Poker, however is not a sport and neither is any type of billiards or snooker.
    Competition does not equal sport or beer drinking competitions or eating contests would have to qualify as sports.
  8. Travis
    8. Posted by Travis Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:27 pm EDT

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    Horse racing is the Sport of Kings and anyone who thinks athleticism is not involved should try riding a three year old stallion in a 16 horse field .
  9. billieboy
    9. Posted by billieboy Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:27 pm EDT

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    JAAAY BUUUSSSBBBEEE !
    Hey ! GOLF IS ACTUALLY A SPORT , DAMNIT !
    I don't know IF you play golf !
    But I have all my life. You walk 18 holes over hilly terrain sometimes,
    and fight with the weather elements like freezing cold and rain OR
    heavy winds ! You fight with the elements of the golf course itself !
    That is sport , matey ! Boy, YOU must be a weirdo !
  10. bill g
    10. Posted by bill g Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:29 pm EDT

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    Oh yes, golf is a sport. True there are ample specimens of dietary indiscretion on the tour but those who are keeping fit seem to do better in the long run. Golfers play their foul balls and walking 5-6 miles on a hundred degree day would challenge the best of athletes. Golfers have to control their emotions and have to deal with whatever quirks the playing field has for them. Other athletes react more than they act and they won't lose a contest because of one angry pitch or swing of the bat or extra hard hit on the field, but golfers can't afford to take that angry swing as it will only cost them more strokes and ultimately the tournament. And golf will drive you crazy!
  11. Travis
    11. Posted by Travis Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:34 pm EDT

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    @ # 8 Answer ----Chess ------Meets all your requirements.
  12. Travis
    12. Posted by Travis Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:40 pm EDT

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    Walking 5-6 miles on a one hundred degree day is not a particular challenge for the best of athletes. Many are conditioned to do much more than walk in hot weather!!!
  13. Travis
    13. Posted by Travis Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    By the way Mr. B. ---- Only 2 pictures of Tigerman on the entire blog at this point in time. He's playing tomorrow so let's move the hype into high gear !
  14. Caveman
    14. Posted by Caveman Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    A sport is defined by a competion of individuals or teams playing together or against one another for a common goal. In golf, there is no goal. You don't go out and say that if i do better than this guy next to me, then i will win. I am a golfer. It does take athletic prowess, and in some ways is a sport. (Team golf, skins games, etc,) however in stroke play, nothing you do affects your opponent, especially if you are in different groups. and if the only competition is yourself, regardless of other scores posted, than a sport it is not. However ryder cup matches, skins games, Match play and stableford scoring should be considered sports.
  15. Kyle D
    15. Posted by Kyle D Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Caveman, you're an idiot.
    "However, in stroke play, nothing you do affects your opponent, especially if you are in differnet groups." You're obviously not a golfer, and if you are, not very good at all.
    I've played 100's of tournaments. When I make a birdie, in front of a competitor, it will have an affect. Whether we're on the same hole or not. Haven't you heard the roars that occur when Tiger birdies a hole on Sunday?
    Once again, you're an idiot.
  16. 24Fan
    16. Posted by 24Fan Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    If you think of the dynamic's of a golf swing and the speed and power they generate, golf is a sport.
  17. Bill M
    17. Posted by Bill M Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    The 'goal' of golf is to place the ball in all 18 holes in as little strokes as possible. Maybe you're just not competitive with your stroke play, #15.
  18. JESUS_QUINTANA
    18. Posted by JESUS_QUINTANA Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    Obviously, you're not a bowler!
  19. go_cats@...
    19. Posted by go_cats@... Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Sport no doubt.Concentration for four days in all weather conditions.What about these pros work habits during
    the off season and the regular season.Who would not like to have the fitness level of a Tiger Woods or Gary
    Player?
  20. Yowzers!
    20. Posted by Yowzers! Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

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    You bet it's a sport.
  21. svsrexec
    21. Posted by svsrexec Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    Try to go from being a hacker to scratch and see how much of a sport it is. Between the mechanics of the swing, ball stiking, course management and the elements, golf is one of the toughest sports to master. To those who don't believe golf is a sport, stay away from the course and let the rest of us enjoy the spectacular sport it is.
  22. R
    22. Posted by R Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Hockey players playing 30 seconds per game? Busbee you should watch a game before you make comments about the sport.
  23. eddie s
    23. Posted by eddie s Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Golf is a sport. It takes better hand-eye coordination than playing baseball, and you have to be in pretty good shape to play at the professional level. Anyone can play ANY sport out there, but to be good at any of them you have to work your tail off to get there. Oh yeah..once again Jay Busbee is an idiot.
  24. someone...
    24. Posted by someone... Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    sport. i don't see the point of this argument. it is a sport without question

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