Is Golf A Sport Or A Sport?

What exactly determines whether or not an activity is a sport? The term sport is defined by The Free Dictionary as: A physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively, an activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of

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.

c. If you want to relax and enjoy a nice day while having fun at the same time with little physical effort, golf is your sport. One of the reasons I enjoy golf most is the simple aspect of enjoying it with your friends. Most people play it simply to get away from stress and hardship from everyday life. All in all golf is one of the most relaxing sports there is to play, and one of the least stressful on your body.

Video games should be considered a sport because they require specialized skills, teamworks, and requires focused or sustained practice to maintain skill all though theyŕe not physical, throw any sport you want at these three things and video games have them too.

So that begs the question, what is a sport? Is it using a ball or scoring goals or running and kicking? Is it competing against others with the aim of winning a trophy, ribbon, or money? If a so-called sport does not include those things, does that make it not a sport? Here is my criteria for a sport: if it is in the Olympics, it is a sport.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, sport means an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. (Strand, Brad, and Christa Sommer. "Should Marching Band Be Allowed to Replace Physical Education Credits: An Analysis." The Physical Educator 62.3 (2005): 164. Academic OneFile. Web. 5 Dec. 2016.)By society the definition of a sport certain activities like golfing, football, or chess is categorized into these pastimes. Now, there is an activity that uses all aspects of this sporting definition, but many do not consider this a sport. Marching Band is reflected as a sport; however this is controversial in the eyes of many. Standards of sports have changed; the Marching band is a sport and is challenged by being only called a performing art. Therefore PE classes still have to be taken, because high schools do not consider is as a sport. (Strand, Brad, and Christa Sommer. "Should Marching Band Be Allowed to Replace Physical Education Credits: An Analysis." The Physical Educator 62.3 (2005): 164. Academic OneFile. Web. 5 Dec. 2016.) Marching band can be defined as a sport because it can be used for entertainment purposes, it contains skills in which a team competes against another, and it involves a great deal of physical exertion. Although compared to the amusing aspects of marching band, the competing and physical exertion outweighs the evidence for recreation.

One of the activities on the list that I thought was the furthest thing from a sport was Pigeon Racing. Even though I believed Pigeon racing to have incorporated many of the key components of a sport such as competition, a governing bodies, benefits, and strategy; it fails to meet the other requirements. One requirement that is not met is maintaining a certain level of physical and mental activity. In this particular sport the performer is completely dependent upon the pigeon to compete. By doing so this completely removes an athlete from the sport and eliminates any human chance in affecting the overall outcome. Instead of a sport I would categorize this as a recreational activity that is fun to watch and be involved in. I believe that an activity that relies solely on an animal performance cannot be considered to be a true sport.

When people here the word ‘golf’ they often correlate it with a misleading sense of boring, elderly men and women who have nothing better to do. Believe it or not, there is a broader reason why so many retirees indulge in the golf lifestyle. Yes, golf is a lifestyle, not just a sport. Many people, most of whom know absolutely nothing about the sport, do not realize that playing golf regularly can add five years to their life span and also have many other well-being-related benefits (“Health” par. 5). Golf is a great therapeutic activity because it teaches good etiquette, it enriches the mind, and it provides for a healthy lifestyle.

A matter of opinion has separated a variety of sports enthusiasts apart, due to the ongoing debate of whether golf is a sport or simply a skill. Famed golfer Arnold Palmer declared, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented. (ThinkQuest.com)” These words state what every athlete experiences and feels when he/she is turning a double play, making the game winning three point shot, or throwing a hail mary pass for a touchdown. Golfers are athletes too, they train for that big moment just like any other athlete, but

First off, what does it actually mean to be classified as a sport? According to The Women’s Sports Foundation these are the elements that define a sport:

There are many sports that are played worldwide, but many of these sports have differences. A sport is an activity involving skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others. Track and Field and Football are both sports that are highly distinct. These sports have a big diversity in gear, money being made, how many are viewing or playing, and other things to it.

What is the definition of a sport? A game played with a ball or someone running around in tight, little shorts? What about “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against one another or others for enjoyment”? That is the true definition of a sport. Not only does football, baseball, basketball, and soccer fit this definition, but so does dance.

Fourteen clubs - four wedges, six irons, a rescue, a three wood, a driver, and a putter - this is golf. It is one of the most mentally challenging sports in the world. It can fool beginners who are deceived by its simplicity. Golf is often underestimated by those who have never attempted to play the sport. While it has often been known as a “rich man’s” sport, in recent years this perception has begun to change. There are a number of other generalizations made when talking about golf, yet these are most always from those who have never experienced, played, or followed the game. One should question how a critic with no knowledge of the activity could state whether or not golf should be considered a sport. Golf is a sport, regardless of what any critic has to say. Studies and experimentation, along with the experience itself, reveal all of the athletic aspects that make golf better than most sports.

Sport is a competitive physical activity through casual or organised participants, sport is aimed to improve physical ability and skills while providing enjoyment to to the audiencce. Usually sport is a contest between two oppistions, each attempting to exceed the oppsition. Some sports allow a tie game where as others provide tie-breaking methods to ensure there is one winner and one loser.

Arnold Palmer said it best. “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect.” The straightforward yet difficult facet has always drawn me to the sport. Golf has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and I love all aspects about it: the competitiveness, the focus required, the life lessons, and the bonding it can create. The game of golf is my passion.