Many argue those who play golf competitively are not athletes. This is due to the fact that the sport does not require much physical activity, and is not team based. The general public defines an athlete as someone who possesses stereotypical characteristics such as physical strength, a winning history, and participation in a common sport. A trait that is most forgotten is the psychological side of being an athlete. In order to be fit, succeed in gruesome competitions, a strong mindset must be present. An athlete is made up of many things; not how much you can bench press or the number of championships your team has won. Being an athlete means to be committed to your sports, focus on improvement, undergoing hardships, and learning from mistakes …show more content…
The sport takes solid commitment, meaning by playing competitively, most of your time is devoted to the game. Competitive golf is considered an all in or out sport, meaning if you don’t practice nearly enough or put time aside for the game, you will not be successful. Most travel all over the nation during the season, making little family time, which is considered commitment to the sport. Dr. Bob Rotella states in an article regarding a competitive golfers mind: “Success comes from patiently and persistently doing the right things over and over” (Rotella, 2008). Long term commitment to the game is required for a competitive player, which involves many years of difficult, emotional practice. A typical athlete is not committed to their sport like golfers are, and usually have an off season. Competitive golfers only compete about half of the year, and the other half they are practicing and playing in events in other countries, making it a year-long commitment. Being a committed athlete means multiple things, and can vary from each sport. Competitive golfers are indeed considered athletes because of their commitment level to the …show more content…
People make the conclusion that competitive golfers are not athletes, due to the lack of physical effort needed to participate in the sport. Fitness throughout golf is becoming a vast subject, which most competitive players are taking part in. Most say that athleticism is not directly correlated with golf performance, which is incorrect because the golf swing uses 17 different muscle groups. Also, golfers burn more calories than gymnasts in an 18-hole round, burning roughly 305 calories an hour (Procon,2016). If gymnasts are considered athletes, but golfers burn more calories per hour, that means golfers are scientifically proven as athletes. Most disregard how the mental game of golf strongly influences the outcome. Then, rationally assume that these competitors are naturally talented, and are not affected by mental thoughts. Even professional golfers who have been playing on tour for 15 plus years, still experience negative swing thoughts, and have to deal with them. All of this falls under the term “being an athlete” because it’s a lot more than just being physical. It’s dealing with frustration, developing your skills, enhancing self-confidence, and being a strong competitor. There is a little influence in terms of being physical. Many arguments are brought about from people who have biased opinions on the sport of golf, but
These magazines and movies are only a small portion of how golf has helped changed society. Golf provided a helping hand in bringing the American nation closer together as equals. Blacks and Whites of all ages and gender have been given the chance to play along side each other in a safe environment. Sports sometimes provide a place for equality. Golf is a great example of this equality. Stossel says "golf is beginning to look more like America: diverse, multicultural, and largely middle class" (2). But, will Americans take advantage of the
Athletes are the sports stars we all dream to be whether it's in Baseball, Football, or any other professional sport;
The sport that I have dedicated the most time to, golf, has become a part of me—in my soul. To me, golf is more than a sport; it is a lifelong journey of training to temper myself both mentally and physically. Playing golf opens my eyes to observe the world in a unique way, and it lets me taste the bliss of striving. The Georgia State Golf Championship in my sophomore year was one of the most memorable experiences that influenced me, not only by contributing to my interest in golf, but also by building my character and teaching me life lessons. It did not push me to the road of being a professional golfer, but it instilled the spirits of a golfer within me.
There are about 460,000 student-athletes across the country that are registered through NCAA that participate in about 23 different sports (ncaa.org/student-athletes). A student-athlete is defined as a student who is enrolled at a four year institution and whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with a view toward the student 's participation in the intercollegiate athletics program
As you can see, athletes are more worried about their sport than school, and they spend way more time on sports than school in a week. In the Time Cover Story: It’s time to pay College Athletes, Richard Samuel said he was an “athlete-student” not a “student-athlete”(Samuel3). This proves that athletes spend way more time on sports than they do on school. For college athletes sports are the main reason why they are going to school, and they are usually hoping to go pro. Which mean they will want to spend more time on their sport than school.
College athletes are known more because of their sports rather than what they are actually majoring in. College athletes put in immense effort and time towards the sport. They make the sport their main priority and manage their lives primarily around the team and sport they are playing. Many college athletes, especially basketball and football players are recruited to become a part of college level team. The athletes decide what college to go to by evaluating the prestige of the sports programs rather than the college itself. For many college athletes is a platform to play the sport they are passionate about. In addition to their passion for the sport, college athletes also put in effort and time towards their respective sports.
What is an athlete? An athlete is someone who strives for first place and works hard to get there. There has been many controversies over whether or not NASCAR drivers are considered athletes or not. However, NASCAR drivers are considered athletes. Take five time championship winner Jimmy Johnson for example. Jimmy Johnson is an athlete because he practices as often as he can and he participates in a highly competitive and challenging sport.
A sport is what drives and pushes people to achieve there best. For me this sport was lacrosse. Hundreds of years ago when Native Americas would get in to a dispute instead of going to war the two tribes would play a game of Lacrosse. For the Native Americans this wasn’t just a game but instead was very import part of their culture. I look at lacrosse as more than just a game but instead a large part of my life just like it was to the Native Americans.
I take pride in my ability to encourage the team not just during the matches, but to push themselves to be their best during practice and workouts. My integrity is prevalent on the golf course as well, allowing for my honest character to represent not only myself but my team and school. Some days can be tough, where my score on the course is high and my disappointment in myself rises, however I maintain a professional and positive mindset to keep my team in the
I believe that golf teaches people life lessons. Golf has life lessons on every tee box, fairway, bunker, green, and hole. Every hole is different golfers must keep their cool in order to perform well consistently. Golfers will have good shots and they have bad shots but like my mom says to me, “Do not let one bad shot affect your entire hole.” Similar to life, golf has ups and downs. In life and golf if the golfer put away what just happened he or she will be back on track to be happy in life or get a good score on the hole. Bobby Jones, a historical golfer said, “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.”
Indubitably, it helps me relax and unwind, as I go to the next Tee after five days of grueling high school studies, yet it also perfects my thinking; gives it a scientific direction. I use my knowledge of Newton’s Laws of Motion, Kinematics, friction and physics to play winning games. I am proud of the fact that I used my scientific knowledge, hit precision shots; won Under-18
To be an athlete, especially one of the three sport variety, is a huge undertaking, as it requires year-round commitment and a passion for hard work. Personally, I have played consistently in three sports since the fifth grade, and I believe this lifelong dedication has paid off for me. It’s impossible to put all of your energy into being an athlete, because while becoming successful in sports is one thing, it is an entirely more important matter to become a successful student. Balancing this can be hard and it is that balance which must be perfected in order to become a good athlete. An athlete to me isn't just someone who straps on their jersey and plays a game, it is a person who is dedicated to a sport on and off the field, and someone who exemplifies the best qualities in their environment.
Yet, many people object the physical exertion aspect with golf, that it does not require any. These objectors who say golf should not be included in that defined group are ignorant to athletics and its regulations. My definition of a sport is a competition that involves athletes who play to win within a certain structure of rules and regulations. Anyone can be an athlete; they do not have to be good to play a sport, as long as they try with some effort. A sport requires certain qualities of an individual too that it can not be without.
When people hear the word athlete, the first people they probably think of are athletes like Reggie Bush, Kevin Garnett, or Sidney Crosby. The last kind of person that is probably thought of is a race car driver. Which raises the question, is a race car driver a true athlete? Much of this depends on how you would define the word athlete. According to The Merriam Webster Dictionary, athlete is defined as “a person who is trained to compete in athletics” (Merriam-Webster). This leads to the question, what should be considered athletics and what should not be considered athletics? The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines athletics as “exercises and games requiring physical skill, strength, and endurance”
For this Coaching Behavior Lab, the women’s golf coach was observed during a pre-tournament practice. Jan Mann, the head coach for women’s golf since 2009, provided multiple feedback statements that were communicated with student athletes while practicing on Finley Golf Course. She was observed for a 60-minute period, covering nine holes on the course. Only those participating in the tournament were present for feedback from Coach Mann. Athletes practiced techniques that would be used during the upcoming tournament. These included both physical and mental capacities that coincided with one of Coach Mann’s statements: golf is very much a mental game. She was very hands-on, providing feedback in a more personal manner