With all golf’s intricacies and eccentricities it is clear that there are no other sports like it and there are dozens of reasons as to why we, as golfers, think it’s the best sport in the world. Here are our top 18 reasons as to why golf is better than other sports. Can you think of any more?
1) The Handicap system levels the playing field. If his schedule freed up a bit I could take on Tiger Woods and have a chance (especially at the moment) but I’m pretty sure Usain Bolt would beat me in a race.
2) As golfers we have the ability to play the same courses as our golfing heroes. Whether we want to strut the links at Turnberry or do battle with the 17th at Sawgrass, the courses that the pros play in competition are awaiting our arrival. You can’t just rock up at Wembley for a kick-about with your mates!
3) Speaking of mates…Golf is equally enjoyable when you play by yourself. Whether it’s for practice of just some good old fashioned “me time” a solo round is perfect. It’s hard to imagine a tennis player playing by themselves and enjoying it!
4) People of all ages can play golf. From 8 to 80 golf is enjoyable and even you really feel the need you can even play a round with your other half. Having a boxing match against the missus wouldn’t be all the fun.
5) No matter how good you think you are there is always room for improvement. Until the day you shoot 18 on a consistent basis you can always improve your golf skills. Many people can only get so good at other sports before their ability plateaus off.
6) Golf offers us such wondrous variety. Weather plays a big part in how you play the game and of course there are the different types of golf courses. From Heathland and Parkland to Links and Desert courses there is something for everyone. Not only are there thousands of different golf courses out there but there are also countless formats of the game. From Stableford to Strokeplay, Matchplay to Texas Scramble there are games to suit any mood!
7) Professional golfers are paid in direct proportion to how often and how well they play…are you listening Dimitar Berbatov?
8) Professional golfers keep their clothes on while being interviewed after competing…except for John Daly who of course likes to strip down while in the middle of a round.
9) While diving is invading football and drugs cheats are rife in athletics, golf is an honourable game and the only one where you can call a penalty on yourself, which the overwhelming majority of players would do if the situation presented itself.
10) Out on the golf course you are all on your own. There is no one else to blame or cover for you should you screw something up.
11) Golf is an immensely social game where you can chat away between shots and even enjoy a beer or two in the course of a round.
12) As soon as you think you have mastered an area of your game another part of it seems to need work. This is why golf is so addictive. There are also endless possibilities when facing a shot. High or low? Fade or draw? Flop shot or bump and run…the options are endless!
13) You can have a questionable haircut, dress head to toe in fluorescent orange and never win anything and still make a fortune by the age of 22.
14) Golf is highly addictive. Play badly and you want to get back out there to get things straight. Play well and you never want to leave the course.
15) No matter how bad your last shot was the most important one of the day is yet to come…the next one! As Walter Hagen once said “three bad shots and one brilliant shot can still make par”. Seve Ballesteros knows about this more than most.
16) Without being overly strenuous golf is very good for your health…unless you’re the kind of golfer who spends as much time in the 19th hole as you do on the course!
17) In the Ryder Cup golf has one of the greatest sporting competitions in the world which unlike other sports is always played in a fantastic spirit…probably down to the fact that the referees don’t get involved unless they are asked to!
18) Golf is a great excuse to travel the world to sample new courses. From the links of Scotland to the desert courses in Dubai there is always something new to discover and, of course, this is all much easier with Your Golf Travel!
Why do you think golf is better than other sports? Let us know your thoughts.
| yourgolftravel.com | facebook.com/yourgolftravel | twitter.com/golfholidays | yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Great post. The handicap system and ability to play any course – well, apart from Augusta! – is what makes golf the best sport
All of these points are so true, but the one I would add is how many genuinely nice like-minded people you meet playing golf, whether you’re playing with them or against them. Cheers to all you wonderful golfaholics!!
HEY! I hate it when people think that golf is only for rich old men! That is sooo annoying. I love all the points you made and I think, I am sorry, I KNOW that golf is the best sport! (For me) I love playing it and it is so relaxing! I just hate those that do not respect opinion! :)
Golf is special. You can play golf or you can live golf. Living golf means accepting and coming to terms with failure and learning from that failure to improve. This is the origin of calling penalties on oneself. Real golfers don’t look at something like a penalty as worthy of fraud. This is because learning golf is like climbing a mountain. No single moment creates long term success. Instead, the mountain climber accepts that a series of steps, hand-holds, struggles, dilemmas, preparation, and grit will get them to the top. And, once that top is reached, there will always be another one. Golf is like that. You explore yourself in a lifetime journey. For some, it is just a game. But, for others, it unlocks the truth in the biblical quote, “Ask and Ye shall receive, Seek and Ye shall find, Knock and the door will be opened.” Or, perhaps less philosophical. Golf teaches you that, by learning patience and perseverance, you will ultimately discover that the secrets of golf were inside you all along. Too esoteric? Then accept Ben Hogan’s words as the best summary: “The secret of golf is in the dirt”.