What defines a sport ?

J.R. Hudson

J.R. Hudson

Spirit Animal
I was perusing Cnnsi and viewing some 'Year End' photos and came across Jason Gore during the U.S. Open (Golf)

img8654065.jpg


...and it got me thinking; Golf is not a sport.

I love golf; give me a 12 pack and some sunshine and it's good times. But it is treated as a sport, shown as a sport and presented as a sport. It is NOT a sport. You are not competing against anyone but yourself and the course.

That fat poo poo up there is not an athelete. He is good at a recreational game.

So I started wondering; what defines a sport ? And no, I do not think Neckcar is a sport either.
 
George Carlin has a great bit about this.

This reminds me of the most rediculous thing I've ever seen on ESPN... Professional Miniature Golf. What was worse is that they were referring to the place they were playing as being a guy's "home course." I almost crapped myself.
 
I gotta say, this is one tired argument. I realize what you're trying to say, but it is a sport by definition. It may not be a very athletic event, but it is a sport.

Have you ever stood within 8 feet of someone who is driving the ball 300+ yards? It's pretty amazing and definitely seperates the players from the wannabes (or thinktheybes). That takes some real athletic (albeit, non-cardiovascular) ability.

Yeah, I love that Carlin bit. :)
 
I agree with Hudson on this. Golf is not a sport.

I think all sports are games, but not all games are sports.
 
man, i don't even want to get into this because i know plenty of so-called 'sports' that i wouldn't even consider a sport.

for instance:

cross country running
track events
water skiing
ping pong
 
-dictionary.com


1.
1. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
2. A particular form of this activity.
2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
3. An active pastime; recreation.
4.
1. Mockery; jest: He made sport of his own looks.
2. An object of mockery, jest, or play: treated our interests as sport.
3. A joking mood or attitude: She made the remark in sport.
5.
1. One known for the manner of one's acceptance of rules, especially of a game, or of a difficult situation: a poor sport.
2. Informal. One who accepts rules or difficult situations well.
3. Informal. A pleasant companion: was a real sport during the trip.
6. Informal.
1. A person who lives a jolly, extravagant life.
2. A gambler at sporting events.
7. Biology. An organism that shows a marked change from the normal type or parent stock, typically as a result of mutation.
8. Maine. See summercater. See Regional Note at summercater.
9. Obsolete. Amorous dalliance; lovemaking.


my personal opinion-
are sports the same as games? no, I think chess is a game, basketball is a sport.
I think sports should make one sweat due to physical activity (i've seen plenty of people sweat during games like poker for instance).

we're starting to see a merge of games with sports. Espn started airing world series of poker and things like cheerleading competitions. (start debate on whether or not cheerleading is a sport)
 
When you can make a living playing a game: IE baseball, football, hell - even motocross - it becomes a sport, and therefore golf is a sport - shame it's boring (not as boring as football though hehe)

Only sport I can watch is paintball - and only then if it's footage edited together of lots of bunkerings and "ownage runs".
 
I believe that a sport has to involve some level of competition, physical challenge and endurance. Golf is as much a sport as those "professional eating" contests on espn.
 
on ESPN... Professional Miniature Golf.
Click to expand...

Like when they air Lesbian Bowling. :laugh: :grin:

Terry_Lasater said:
I gotta say, this is one tired argument. I realize what you're trying to say, but it is a sport by definition. It may not be a very athletic event, but it is a sport.
Have you ever stood within 8 feet of someone who is driving the ball 300+ yards? It's pretty amazing and definitely seperates the players from the wannabes (or thinktheybes). That takes some real athletic (albeit, non-cardiovascular) ability.
Click to expand...

Tired? (I won't even comment)

That is the point of the thread Terry; by definition it is presented as a sport and that is what bothers me.

Hitting a golf ball pure does not require atheletic ability. It requires one to know the proper swing mechanics. This is why 70 year old ladies can hit a golf ball. The record for the longest drive ever recorded is 515 yards by Mike Austin; he was 64 at the time.

John Daly; fat poo poo that he is averages 300 yards a drive. Driving distance is pure technique; and kinetic energy and has nothing to do with strength and / or atheletic. ability.

think all sports are games, but not all games are sports.
Click to expand...
Interesting quote.

cross country running
track events
water skiing
ping pong
Click to expand...

Ping Pong ? I can't see it being a sport. However, the other 3 I can.
 
ping pong is a sport. they play competitively over in asia.

and i don't know if i understand what you are saying John...so track events are a sport? so do you see them as a sport? because by the way you described it, a golf ball is hit far by knowing how to hit it correctly, so by this, it seems that people run fast because they know how to run correctly...

that is very objective, but anything takes skill to do...i don't understand how golf isn't a sport though.
 
tjohara99 said:
-dictionary.com


1.
1. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
2. A particular form of this activity.
2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
3. An active pastime; recreation.
4.
1. Mockery; jest: He made sport of his own looks.
2. An object of mockery, jest, or play: treated our interests as sport.
3. A joking mood or attitude: She made the remark in sport.
5.
1. One known for the manner of one's acceptance of rules, especially of a game, or of a difficult situation: a poor sport.
2. Informal. One who accepts rules or difficult situations well.
3. Informal. A pleasant companion: was a real sport during the trip.
6. Informal.
1. A person who lives a jolly, extravagant life.
2. A gambler at sporting events.
7. Biology. An organism that shows a marked change from the normal type or parent stock, typically as a result of mutation.
8. Maine. See summercater. See Regional Note at summercater.
9. Obsolete. Amorous dalliance; lovemaking.


my personal opinion-
are sports the same as games? no, I think chess is a game, basketball is a sport.
I think sports should make one sweat due to physical activity (i've seen plenty of people sweat during games like poker for instance).

we're starting to see a merge of games with sports. Espn started airing world series of poker and things like cheerleading competitions. (start debate on whether or not cheerleading is a sport)
Click to expand...
well thank you MR. SPOCK that will be all for now
 
John_Hudson said:
No way. Hitting a golf ball pure does not require atheletic ability. It requires one to know the proper swing mechanics. This is why 70 year old ladies can hit a golf ball. The record for the longest drive ever recorded is 515 yards by Mike Austin; he was 64 at the time. John Daly; fat poo poo that he is averages 300 yards a drive.

Driving distance is pure technique; and kinetic energy and has nothing to do with strength.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know there are longer drives than the one in my question. I was trying to point out that there is definitely skill involved and it is a competitive event; therefore, it's a sport by definition.

And, as Monte, pointed out: "When you can make a living playing a game: IE baseball, football, hell - even motocross - it becomes a sport, and therefore golf is a sport.".

I think you're getting all wrapped up in semantics. It's like cotton candy for the brain. :)

You say hitting a golf ball 'requires no athletic ability... it just requires good swing mechanics'. Can't the same be said for shooting a basketball, kicking a football, hitting a baseball? See where I'm going?
 
well i for one think if you can drink, while you play and it doesn't dimmish your game then that would not be a sport ie; golf,darts, pool,chess,checkers,cow tipping, feel free to add on
 
jkc123 said:
I believe that a sport has to involve some level of competition, physical challenge and endurance. Golf is as much a sport as those "professional eating" contests on espn.
Click to expand...
This is funny because it would seem to me that "Professional Eating" contests would HAVE to include the following:

Some level of competition
A physical challenge
Endurance

Am I wrong or is professional eating a sport by your very own definition?

------
It's hard to explain why, but I do think Golf is a sport. I don't play, but I do consider it a sport.
 
Slimothy said:
This is funny because it would seem to me that "Professional Eating" contests would HAVE to include the following:

Some level of competition
A physical challenge
Endurance

Am I wrong or is professional eating a sport by your very own definition?

------
It's hard to explain why, but I do think Golf is a sport. I don't play, but I do consider it a sport.
Click to expand...
hmmmm.......makes you wanna go hmmmmmmmm......he got ya on that one!JKC
 
See Terry? This is'nt tired; 15 posts in an hour; not bad.

people run fast because they know how to run correctly...
Click to expand...

World class track runners? That does'nt come down to pure technique; that is muscle, endurance, speed, health and fitness 100%

Speed Walkers? Not a sport!

Yeah, I know there are longer drives than the one in my question. I was trying to point out that there is definitely skill involved and it is a competitive event; therefore, it's a sport by definition.
Click to expand...

Skill is one thing. Competition is one thing. Being defined as a sport is the nature of this thread.

Why is it considered a sport?

And, as Monte, pointed out: "When you can make a living playing a game: IE baseball, football, hell - even motocross - it becomes a sport, and therefore golf is a sport.".
Click to expand...

No offense Monte; but being paid for something does'nt make it a sport. That may be the weakest definition (No offense Monte). There are millions of atheltes that do not get paid to do what they do so assiging a price tag on it does'nt work.

I think you're getting all wrapped up in semantics.
Click to expand...
No, no I'm not. It's a thread started for conversations sake.

You say hitting a golf ball 'requires no athletic ability... it just requires good swing mechanics'. Can't the same be said for shooting a basketball, kicking a football, hitting a baseball? See where I'm going?
Click to expand...
Shooting a basketball

...does indeed require skill and technique (I know; I can shoot), unfortunately the game of basketball is'nt about standing onthe free throw line all day; it's about dribbling around a defender, passing and receiving the ball while moving, sprinting, stopping, jumping, grabbing and then shooting at the same time practically.

Kicking a football

...Is skill and technique. Punters and Field Goal kickers are the panzies of the football team; everyone knows that (Cept maybe Darren Bennet; former Aussie Footabll Player turned NFL Punter). They happen to do something that is important to the success of the team and the sport. Have you ever seen a kicker try and run and or tackle someone? Funny shite to see.

Hitting a Baseball

...pure technique and skill (and with some Juice one can really do some nice things). Another element of the sport of baseball that is important to the team and sport as a whole; there is still running, catching, throwing.......
But were not talking about individual elements; were talking GOLF as a whole NOT being sport or WHAT MAKES IT a sport?

We know what makes football, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis a sport.


Sure Golf requires a skill to hit the ball; but what else do they do? Nothing. They either drive off tee, hit on fairway or putt on gree. Thats it. There are no other elements that warrant it being a sport.
 
John_Hudson said:
See Terry? This is'nt tired; 15 posts in an hour; not bad.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm sure we could get more than 15 posts if we opened up discussions on politics and religion too. All I'm saying is the topic has been debated before.

You're too funny.

You might as well come out and say what you're thinking; which seems to be, "If there's no contact and it doesn't make you breathe hard, it's not a sport.".
 
Ping Pong ? I can't see it being a sport.
Click to expand...

You should come over to my family's get together on Christmas Eve. We make it a bloodsport. Old rivalries rise up, pecking orders are challenged.

After a particularly brutal get together in 2004 (in which I kicked all my sibling's butts, thank you very much) noone even broached the subject of playing this year.

The only thing we get more aggressive playing is "Risk".
 
Risk.. now *there* is a new sport..

I like the olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius", meaning: "Faster, Higher, Stronger"
I like to think that a sport falls under one of these categories..
Ping-pong does.. but then again under this so would golf. I think it's all up to interpritation. I'm not sure I would call golf a sport. At least not a very phisical one.
Then take shooting for example, and olympic sport, but I wouldn't consider it a sport (except in the context of the bi-athlon)

I think like all things, it is up to interpritation and can not really be defined absoloutly.

- Mikko ...'s grandfather won bronze in Long-Jump in the '56 olympics. [/brag]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top