What defines a sport ?

John_Hudson said:
I just can't say GOLF is a sport. Those fat bastards are'nt doing anything:

Hit ball

Walk

Hit ball

Walk

Putt into Cup
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John that is your Cliff's Notes version of golf. But we all know that is NOT the SPORT of golf. Same as my dumbed-down version of tennis (whack a ball with racket) is not the SPORT of tennis. So why is my version asinine? Because it insulted a sport that you love and play competively. :lipsrseal Admit it.

My family had a home with a tennis court. I used to play tennis as a recreation (whack a ball with racket), but never as a sport (concentrate on opponents movements, place a spin on the ball, make loud groans) Do you see the difference? It's the same for golf. Golf is much more difficult than "hit ball, walk, hit ball". But it sounds as though you've never played the SPORT of golf. You've just gone out and hit balls. Anyone can do that. So ask John Daly if it's as easy as your dumbed-down version. Daly plays the SPORT of golf and he will "kick your a**, walk, kick your a**, and walk" all over that course for insulting his sport. He's a tough dude.

In conclusion, Boxing CAN be a sport (it can also be two guys fighting outside a bar). Tennis CAN be a sport (it can also be a guy hitting balls against his garage). Golf CAN be a sport (it can also be a guy hitting a ball, walking, and hitting a ball). Bowling CAN be a sport (it can also be a great way to look at your girlfriend's butt). Just because there's nobody at the end of the alley throwing the ball back at you or there's not another golfer hitting balls at you, doesn't mean it's not a sport competition.

Why does it need to be so black and white? :happy: Just admit that there are a variety of sports in this world and they can not fit into any one mold.
 
Don't say admit it if it is'nt true P.K. Keep it together. Stay on target.

That's not the case at all.

-

Tennis can be played leisurely but I'm not talking about it at that level. Nor am I differentiating the highest competive level from someone hitting on the family court in August. I'm saying all things being equal 'This is a sport - this is not a sport'

This point seems to be getting lost.

You are assuming and speaking before asking; In fact I have played the 'Sport of Golf'. If you will allow me too play it at my level against persons of my caliber. I've played my ass off; golf is a very cerebral activity. It is one tough, frustrating skill that eludes persons their whole lives. Even The Bear said 'Golf is a game of great mis-hits'.

But it was'nt a sporting activity. It was me playing a game on a course trying to get the lowest score possible with no one trying to step in my way.

"He's a tough dude."
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P.K. ?

isg_johndaly.jpg
http://www.iseekgolf.com/images/players/isg_johndaly.jpg

I'd kick Daly's ass. :thumbsup: :evil:

Ooooooooooooohhh; you meant at the game of golf. Well, yeah. I know 80 year old ladies that will 'kick my ass' at the game of golf

You wan't Cliff Notes? There's your world class athelete right there. Not breaking a sweat other than the beer he drank last night in the hot Carolina sun as he walks down the fairway while some poor bastard carries his clubs for him (They can't even carry their own clubs)
 
Once again you bring up a person's weight and perspiration levels as a factor for qualifying something as a sport. Did a fat sweaty guy eat your lunch today? :)

There are a variety of sports in this world and not all of them can fit into one mold. ....Same goes for entertainment too. What some people consider entertainment I sure as hell don't. BUT that doesn't mean cat juggling isn't entertaining to THEM! So I must accept that. Here they eat crickets and bugs. I don't consider that food. But it is to them. So I accept that.

I understand you don't consider these things a sport (same as I don't consider bugs food). But you must accept the fact they are.

To recap: Golf can be a sport. Tennis can be a sport. Curling can be a sport. Cat juggling can be fun. Bugs can be food. A video can be a film.
 
It's easy to pick one overweight athlete and dismiss his sport. Babe Ruth drank like a fish and despite the indulgences he was a great ballplayer. Some people are natural talents. Tiger Woods works his ass off and is an incredible athlete. Vijay Singh works incredibly hard and plays like six hours of golf a day.

Golf is damn hard. Anyone who thinks it's an easy game is deluding themselves.
 
When did I say a fat dude was'nt an athelete or playing a sport ?

I never did. Did I ? Charles Barkley was a bad ass baller and not exactly the lean machine.

Perspiration levels? You bet your ass breaking a sweat better be included in the category. This is the part about moving faster than a sloth. Unless I am missing in on it are there other 'sports' that one does'nt break a sweat ? (And no; walking in the summer sun and sweating in your Docker's does'nt qualify)

P.K. What am I to do if you keep putting words in my mouth ? You're sleighing me. Stay on Target.

Tennis is always a sport (Remember this part about defining WHAT IS and WHAT ISNT with all things being equal? Can you latch onto that for me? (It's like the umteenth time I have said this)

Sumo wrestlers ? Damn right that's a sport.

Issac; I never said golf was easy! I find hitting the golf ball one of the hardest things to do; it's a mystery and yeah 'Those guys are good'

Golf ? No. Golf is fun game that happens to take place outside.

One of the livlier debates in awhile around here regardless.

Why is golf a sport ? They don't move. It does'nt require great physical shape or health, they do not have to directly compete with an opponent nor are there any natural elements that are forcing their play (Not talking about Dog Legged LEft's here; but moreso 20' Waves)

So why is everyone dead-set on it being a sport ? Becasue the network says so ? Because it is outside ? Because you hit a ball with a club ?

Golf is a leisurely activity that retired people excell at.

I am in the minority and scoff at Golf being considered a sport. It's not about how skillful they are or long they practice swinging the club or what individual accomplishes what.

Golf as a whole; Golf the game is not a sport at any level.
 
John_Hudson said:
Golf as a whole; Golf the game is not a sport at any level.
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You're definitely in the minority on this one. Golf may not be a sport to you, but one of the great things about it is that it's a sport you can play all of your life. From what you're saying it sounds like your definition of a sport requires you to sweat, be in great shape, and be young.

This is an argument about a personal definition of what a sport is. Many people disagree with you, we all have different definitions. A discussion of semantics doesn't change the fact that Golf is a sport, people play it competitively, and it requires great skill and talent.
 
hmm..

Croquet? Sport or not.

Is Sport always competetive? I was skiing today. I wasn't racing anyone.. whas it "sport"?

who does sport? are they always an athlete? - Or maybe always a "sportsman" (or sportswoman..) what about "Sportsmanship" ? what is that?

- Mikko
 
Yes Isacc! Thank you for acknowledging that

I am in the minority on this not just here; but the entire planet. But there are those of us that do believe Golf is not a sport. I did not say that one must be in greta shape or be young for something to be a sport; I did not say that at all.

Golf does take great skill and technique; persons do compete indirectly against one another....

Is that what makes it a sport ?

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Sweating; yes. In my category of sport; sweating is there (Due to movement over sloth pace).

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Dots on ball; heh heh ! Soccer is a sport even though it sucks.

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Croquet ? No. The Sloth pace factor.

Skiiing alone ? I'd say doing a sporting activity leisurely; like the 'Mellow Tennis' analogy or 'Shooting hoops' in the driveway. Skiiing is most definataley a sport though. You were competing against a mountain that made:

Faster than Sloth pace
Sweating
Muscles
Endurance
Reaction

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Sportsman. Interesting differenciation (and thanks Mikko for keeping the conversation grounded)

Are a Sportsman and an Athelete different ? (Even though they can be the same)

(This conversation is similiar to the WHAT IS ART debate.)
 
John_Hudson said:
Why is golf a sport ? They don't move. It does'nt require great physical shape or health, they do not have to directly compete with an opponent nor are there any natural elements that are forcing their play (Not talking about Dog Legged LEft's here; but moreso 20' Waves)
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John-This quote is ridiculous.

"They don't move"
-They DO move-Just because they aren't sprinting doesn't mean they don't move.

"It does'nt require great physical shape or health"
-Must a sport REQUIRE great physical shape? What about the Charles Barkley you mentioned. What about all the FAT baseball pitchers? Are they not participating in the sport whilst the lean players are?

"they do not have to directly compete with an opponent "
-Just because you are going for the lowest score doesn't mean that you're not competing against someone. There doesn't need to be someone BLOCKING them physically or darts being thrown at them while they're shooting in order for it to be considered competitive.

"nor are there any natural elements that are forcing their play (Not talking about Dog Legged LEft's here; but moreso 20' Waves)"
-Natural elements that force their play can be WIND, FOG, Terrain etc. etc. You don't just go out there and hit the ball all the same regardless of the weather. It doesn't have to be a 20 Foot wave to force your play.


"Why is golf a sport ?"

Slimothy said:
-A physical aspect that goes well above what the average human would do normally throughout the day: Think of the muscles used when-swinging a club, walking the green, drinking the beer, throwing your club at the caddy.

-An opponent of some kind

-Something that requires strategy, USUALLY agreed upon by a team.
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John_Hudson said:
Faster than Sloth pace
Sweating
Muscles
Endurance
Reaction
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I got 4 out of that 5 today. ..Bonus points for who can guess which I dind't? .. and super bonus points for the correct answer why? (end even more for the [obscure] referance to the source!)


John_Hudson said:
(This conversation is similiar to the WHAT IS ART debate.)
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..and both *very* dangreous, but highly interesting (and more importantly: entertaining) questions.

- Mikko
 
Slimothy said:
-They DO move-Just because they aren't sprinting doesn't mean they don't move.
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Walking is not moving in the sports world Slim. Remember... More than Slothpace is important is'nt it ? If we made them sprint to the next shot whilke being chased by lions I'd consider allowing it to be a sport.

-Must a sport REQUIRE great physical shape? What about the Charles Barkley you mentioned.
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Charles was the round Mound but make no mistake; he was in phenomenal shape and strong as an ox; one of the best to ever play the game.

What about all the FAT baseball pitchers? Are they not participating in the sport whilst the lean players are?
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Were not talking about individual's within the sport; but the sport as a whole

(Fock! How many times do I have to say this? :laugh: :evil: )

And we're not talking about players who are overweight. DOUBLE FOCK! Again; I'm reapeating myself!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!


LOl! :laugh: :beer:

but seriously

Just because you are going for the lowest score doesn't mean that you're not competing against someone. There doesn't need to be someone BLOCKING them physically or darts being thrown at them while they're shooting in order for it to be considered competitive.
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It would make the game more intersting though would'nt it? Sure; they are competing indirectly against other players scores.


Natural elements that force their play can be WIND, FOG, Terrain etc. etc. You don't just go out there and hit the ball all the same regardless of the weather. It doesn't have to be a 20 Foot wave to force your play.
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Fog ? A grassy knoll ? That is'nt a moving wave that can bury you nor is it a mountain one must conquer.

Fog ? Dude. Wind ? Wind ?


Mikko ?

"Faster than Sloth pace"

Were you cross country skiiing?

YEah; I never imagined this topic would be such a stir and bring out such emotion! Awesome!
 
John_Hudson said:
YEah; I never imagined this topic would be such a stir and bring out such emotion!
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Emotional...Maybe.

Lets not confuse that with being EMO. LOL.


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I see what you're saying. You're obviously in favor of the more physical aspects of the sports world. Like you said, most people would disagree with you. I have always watched/played Hockey. So I know what you mean. I also NEVER really golf. So I am pretty much unbiased. BUT, I still think GOlf is a sport. :)
 
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