Golf and its Growing Popularity

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[robjna]

The following is forwarded not to offend tennis, basketball, football or soccer fans. It is, rather, an attempt to put everything in its proper perspective.

Ever wonder why golf is growing in popularity and people who don't even play, go to tournaments or watch it on TV?

These truisms may shed some light.

Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of players being honorable people who don't need referees.

Golfers don't have some of their players in jail every week.

Golfers don't scratch their privates on the golf course.

Golfers don't kick dirt on, or throw bottles at, other people.

Professional golfers are compensated in direct proportion to how well they play.

Golfers don't get per diem and two seats on a charter flight when they travel between tournaments.

Golfers don't hold out for more money, or demand new contracts, because of another player's deal.

Professional golfers don't demand that the taxpayers pay for the courses on which they play.

When golfers make a mistake, nobody is there to cover for them or back them up.

The PGA Tour raises more money for charity in one year than the National Football League does in two.

You can watch the best golfers in the world up close, at any tournament, including the majors, all day, every day for $25 or $30.

The cost for a seat in the nosebleed section at the Super Bowl will cost around $300 U.S. or more.

You can bring a picnic lunch to the tournament golf course, watch the best in the world and not spend a small fortune on food and drink. Try that at one of the taxpayer funded baseball or football stadiums. I brought a Coke into Oriole Park at Camden Yard last year, and an usher came to my seat and told me I had to dispose of it, or I would not be allowed to stay in the stadium.

In golf you cannot fail 70% of the time and make $9 million a season, like the best baseball hitters(.300 batting average) do.

Golf doesn't change its rules to attract Fans.

Golfers have to adapt to an entirely new playing area each week.

Golfers keep their clothes on while they are being interviewed.

Golf doesn't have free agency.

In their prime, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer and other stars, would shake your hand and say they were happy to meet you. In his prime, Jose Canseco wore T-shirts that read 'Leave Me Alone'.

You can hear birds chirping on the golf course during a tournament.

Ladies are welcome players.

At a golf tournament, (unlike at taxpayer-funded sports stadiums and arenas) you won't hear a steady stream of four letter words and nasty name calling while you're hoping that no one spills beer on you.

Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball almost three times as far as Barry Bonds can hit a baseball.

Golf Courses don't ruin the neighborhood.

Finally, here's a slice of golf history I thought

Why do full-length golf courses have 18 holes, and not 20, or 10 or an even dozen?

During a discussion among the club's membership board at the venerable St. Andrews in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out.

Now you know!

[Lurker]

Actually they called it golf because all the other four letter words were taken.

L

[Grando Calrissian]

My budget is more suited to twilight hours, so I have to play with the dregs of society.

[Phantom Lord]

It is illegal to bring your own alcohol onto a licensed premises here in NC.

[Phantom Lord]

Do you have a radio in it? Pnematic club ejectors?

[PhilipFreneau]

>> I was standing too close to the ball. After I hit it.

LOL. I can identify with that.

[Phantom Lord]

My budget is more suited to twilight hours, so I have to play with the dregs of society.

Its too damn hot and I'm already 3/4s in the bag by that time on the weekend.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> My budget is more suited to twilight hours, so I have to play with the dregs of society.

I guess I am one of the dregs of society. I play weekends occasionally, but I like twilight hours. It is cheaper, cooler, and typically the courses are not so crowded.

[Lurker]

My wife works at a golf course and I get to play for free a couple of times a week.

My cursing is improving faster than my golf game.

L

[Phantom Lord]

You wouldnt be one of the lucky few who are married to the "Beer Girl" are you?

[Lurker]

Actually, she's a manager in charge of the beer girls.

It's a great course, too. Rated 25th best public course in America by Golf Digest a few years back. The best part about it is that there isn't a house anywhere on the course.

Well, actually that's the second best part. The BEST part is my wife has the keys to the beer huts.

Somedays, it's really good to be me.

Now, if I could just get my handicap down under 25, I could play off the white tees....

L

[Phantom Lord]

But hitting houses is half the fun!

[Phantom Lord]

Still waiting.

[Grando Calrissian]

I was referencing weekend, twilight and muni course all mixed together in an urban setting to boot.

[Lurker]

The course closes in early Oct. I'll be the guy walking through the woods collecting all those Nike and Calloway balls that everyone shanked this year.

L

[Grando Calrissian]

The Bay Area is notorious for its good weather, so we have the misfortune of having only 12 months out of the year to play. I know what you mean about it being hot. It's gonna be in the 70's this weekend with no humidity:)

[Mr. Mojo]

At a golf tournament, (unlike at taxpayer-funded sports stadiums and arenas) you won't hear a steady stream of four letter words

Perhaps not, but you sure do hear a steady stream of annoying three-word phrases, namely "you da man" and "in the hole." ....usually a fraction of a second after a player strikes the ball, and sometimes even before. I especially like the "in the hole" calls right after a player tees off on a par four or five, as if it's possible to hit the ball over 450 yards into the hole.

[Phantom Lord]

Here in NC it is in the 90's, and often over 100. With 100% humidity. Anyone who who tees off after noon is asking to die of dehydration and/or heat exhaustion.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> I was referencing weekend, twilight and muni course all mixed together in an urban setting to boot.

I was wondering where you were located. I typically meet professional, white collar, and retired types in the twilight hours in this area (northern Philadelphia suburbs).

[stevestras]

"If there is a foresome of black golfers they will ALWAYS play from the blue tees no matter how shitty their play. They can shoot 120 with 10 mulligans, but damnit, they think they are Tiger Woods and are going to play from the blue tees."

Your need to point out the race of the golfers you are attempting to embarrass indicates your racism. In fact, I've noticed that most black golfers are quite polite on the course and try hard not to ruffle the feathers of folks like you.

"It was four black guys, who couldnt play to save their lives in the foresome in front of me. On a Par 4 of about 400 yards I bombed one trying to drive the green."

yea, you hit the greenside bunker from 400 yards, must have been a hurricane at your back. Oh, that's right, your playing partners were back by the 150. Lies.

"They all looked at me and asked what I was doing. I said "Looking for my ball." Some guy in the group with a real bad attitude looked at me and said "There is no way your ball is anywhere up here! You can't hit a ball that far!" And in a real pissed off tone. I said to him "Why don't you go look in that bunker and tell me if you find a PRO V1 with two black dots on it." He found it and proceeded to putt out and go to his cart cursing up a storm to himself. I yelled over to him "Hey, buddy. Wanna have a long drive contest for some cash?!" He drove off and was really pissed."

You are an idiot because you think your behaviour was warranted, or maybe even cool. In fact, it shows lack of respect for the group on the green and indicates that you are the type of golfer that nobody would want to play with. Why did you feel the need to leave your playing partners 150 yards behind you and disturb the putting of the group on the green?

My guess is that you just have a case of the Friday afternoon bullshits.

[Paulus Invictus]

I have participated in all sports activities and still prefer golf, although tennis is a close second. Golf has another bennie--the outdoors walk is healthy and done in a pleasant, green place.

Some golfers get angry with their game, but not me...whatever happens is my own doing. The other day I made my first eagle ever on a par 5, and I was so elated I've been smiling ever since.