Ok, Ok. Maybe I was a little harsh on golf. But just a little. Simply pointing out that it doesn't take off-the-charts athelticism is not saying that golfing isn't difficult and that the skill of hitting a golf ball isn't impressive. The most impressive aspect of golf in my opinion is the mental game, by far. Watching a golfer control his nerves on the 16th green, down by a stroke, and needing a par to stay in the match is great drama. The other problem with golf that I have is that I don't have a "team". In addition to watching the supreme atheltes compete at the United Center, the Bulls are also "my team". Golf has neither of these things. I never really care who wins. What I enjoy most playing golf is the time spent with the other people and being outside on a nice day. But if the act of swinging a golf club is physical exertion, then so is the act of bowling a ball, or steering a car, or throwing a dart, or shooting a gun, or swinging a croquet mallet...
Davis, I loved your timely references to Dan O'Brien an athlete that peaked 15 to 20 years ago. For the record the greatest athlete in recent history is Walter Ray Williams, the only man in history (with the possible exception of Jim Brown who was reportedly an amazing lacrosse player) to be the best athlete of his time in two distinct sports. Not only was he a seven time professional bowler of the year with the most PBA tounament titles in history, he was also a nine-time world horseshoe champion.
Ok, Ok. Maybe I was a little harsh on golf. But just a little. Simply pointing out that it doesn't take off-the-charts athelticism is not saying that golfing isn't difficult and that the skill of hitting a golf ball isn't impressive. The most impressive aspect of golf in my opinion is the mental game, by far. Watching a golfer control his nerves on the 16th green, down by a stroke, and needing a par to stay in the match is great drama. The other problem with golf that I have is that I don't have a "team". In addition to watching the supreme atheltes compete at the United Center, the Bulls are also "my team". Golf has neither of these things. I never really care who wins. What I enjoy most playing golf is the time spent with the other people and being outside on a nice day. But if the act of swinging a golf club is physical exertion, then so is the act of bowling a ball, or steering a car, or throwing a dart, or shooting a gun, or swinging a croquet mallet...
ReplyDeleteDavis, I loved your timely references to Dan O'Brien an athlete that peaked 15 to 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteFor the record the greatest athlete in recent history is Walter Ray Williams, the only man in history (with the possible exception of Jim Brown who was reportedly an amazing lacrosse player) to be the best athlete of his time in two distinct sports. Not only was he a seven time professional bowler of the year with the most PBA tounament titles in history, he was also a nine-time world horseshoe champion.