Tiger Woods "Transgressions" Thread - Golfin' Ain't Easy

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Just because they help satiate a basic human need doesn't make them valuable members of society.

Sending people to jail, causing the break-ups of marriages (Tiger) and the resultant emotional turmoil that passes down through years through children, human trafficking as a result, and the spread of diseases would make them the exact opposite to a modern "society."

You are clearly taking this thread a whole lot more seriously than I am...

[Rerun]

I think lot of people's definition of "sport" means that it must involve strenuous activity.
ie. Football, basketball, hockey, soccer, rugby, skiing, etc. etc.
If there's no strenuous physical activity, in the minds of many, it's not a sport.

However, I think the International Olympic Committe would beg to differ.

Olympic "sports" that do not require strenuous physical activity.

Archery
Sailing
Shooting
Curling
Luge
Rhythmic Gymnastics (they still do that don't they?)
Skeleton
Equestrian
Fencing
Table Tennis


Golf is a sport, and its a sport that takes many years to master. There is no way in the world that anybody can become a world class player in just a few years (5 years or less), like you can in many, many other "sports".

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by octothorp

It's pretty much the only sport where the women's game makes a better spectator sport then the men's game.

We will agree to disagree.

[North East Goon]

I want to marry Elin and live on Tiger's money.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

I want to marry Elin and live on Tiger's money.

Well, sorry to tell you this but your SOL.

She hasn't stopped calling me since this whole thing began.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I think lot of people's definition of "sport" means that it must involve strenuous activity.
ie. Football, basketball, hockey, soccer, rugby, skiing, etc. etc.
If there's no strenuous physical activity, in the minds of many, it's not a sport.

However, I think the International Olympic Committe would beg to differ.

Olympic "sports" that do not require strenuous physical activity.

Archery
Sailing
Shooting
Curling
Luge
Rhythmic Gymnastics (they still do that don't they?)
Skeleton
Equestrian
Fencing
Table Tennis


Golf is a sport, and its a sport that takes many years to master. There is no way in the world that anybody can become a world class player in just a few years (5 years or less), like you can in many, many other "sports".

There are probably only three things on that list where you would question a lack of physical activity, Equestrian, shooting and curling.

Otherwise, every single one of them requires far more physical fitness than golf.

Skeleton and luge, as examples, pretty much requires abs of steel. Those are very fit athletes.

Have you seen any fat rythmic gymnasts? They're very fit.

You've obviously never sailed a Laser if you think it doesn't require a great deal of strength - particularly strong abs as an example - to compete at a higher level. Interestingly, however, as I found out in the Alberta Summer Games one year, the best sailors are the ones who win on days with no wind, where strength is unnecessary, when you find out who has been treating their hull well and where skill in trimming a sail is paramount. I did pretty well on heavy wind days, where being a brute and hiking out trying to keep the thing upright, was the paramount advantage.

Golf, seriously, is a game of skill but is pretty debatable as a sport. Curling as well.

In equestrian, the athlete is the horse although, to be fair, you're not going to see a lot of fat horse people - like John Daly - in the Olympics.

My two cents.

On another front, Jessica Simpson says today the whole Tiger connection "is a lie."

Cowperson

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

In equestrian, the athlete is the horse although, to be fair, you're not going to see a lot of fat horse people - like John Daly - in the Olympics.

Ride a horse for an hour and tell me it doesn't take more athletic ability than golf.

Originally Posted by Cowperson

On another front, Jessica Simpson says today the whole Tiger connection "is a lie."
Cowperson

Nice. That means it's true!

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

On another front, Jessica Simpson says today the whole Tiger connection "is a lie."

Cowperson

How did she define "connection"?

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

There are probably only three things on that list where you would question a lack of physical activity, Equestrian, shooting and curling.

Otherwise, every single one of them requires far more physical fitness than golf.

Skeleton and luge, as examples, pretty much requires abs of steel. Those are very fit athletes.

Have you seen any fat rythmic gymnasts? They're very fit.

You've obviously never sailed a Laser if you think it doesn't require a great deal of strength - particularly strong abs as an example - to compete at a higher level. Interestingly, however, as I found out in the Alberta Summer Games one year, the best sailors are the ones who win on days with no wind, where strength is unnecessary, when you find out who has been treating their hull well and where skill in trimming a sail is paramount. I did pretty well on heavy wind days, where being a brute and hiking out trying to keep the thing upright, was the paramount advantage.

Golf, seriously, is a game of skill but is pretty debatable as a sport. Curling as well.

In equestrian, the athlete is the horse although, to be fair, you're not going to see a lot of fat horse people - like John Daly - in the Olympics.

My two cents.

On another front, Jessica Simpson says today the whole Tiger connection "is a lie."

Cowperson

Neither of you have obviously curled before? If you are playing the game "properly" it is quite a workout sweeping for 10 ends.

You should watch curling sometime and watch how hard those guys sweep and how much of a workout they are getting

[4X4]

Kermit, time for a thread title update:

"Tiger Woods, Transgressions, Sports or Non Sports"

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

There are probably only three things on that list where you would question a lack of physical activity, Equestrian, shooting and curling.

Otherwise, every single one of them requires far more physical fitness than golf.

Skeleton and luge, as examples, pretty much requires abs of steel. Those are very fit athletes.

Have you seen any fat rythmic gymnasts? They're very fit.

You've obviously never sailed a Laser if you think it doesn't require a great deal of strength - particularly strong abs as an example - to compete at a higher level. Interestingly, however, as I found out in the Alberta Summer Games one year, the best sailors are the ones who win on days with no wind, where strength is unnecessary, when you find out who has been treating their hull well and where skill in trimming a sail is paramount. I did pretty well on heavy wind days, where being a brute and hiking out trying to keep the thing upright, was the paramount advantage.

Golf, seriously, is a game of skill but is pretty debatable as a sport. Curling as well.

In equestrian, the athlete is the horse although, to be fair, you're not going to see a lot of fat horse people - like John Daly - in the Olympics.

My two cents.

On another front, Jessica Simpson says today the whole Tiger connection "is a lie."

Cowperson

Most PGA golfers are very fit. John Daly is the exception to the rule....

[CaptainCrunch]

Alright Tiger, this contract and cheque looks to be in order, you may now besmirch my daughter. But remember no damage to the vocal cords those are the money maker.

And just so you know, my other daughter is blond and white too.

(Carefully endorses the cheque and slides it into his kmart sports coat)

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Neither of you have obviously curled before? If you are playing the game "properly" it is quite a workout sweeping for 10 ends.

You should watch curling sometime and watch how hard those guys sweep and how much of a workout they are getting

I'm pretty sure it was the Canadian Curling Association, upon the initial introduction of the sport to the Olympics at, I think, Nagano in 1998, that handed down the controversial mantra that it's champions would have to trim their body profiles or they wouldn't be allowed to go lest they leave a negative image of the sport.

Randy Ferbey of Alberta was quite a porker at the time.

It's only more recently that the image of trimmer curling champions has become more common. But, I think it's amply demonstrated, as with golf, that you don't NEED to be fit to be the champion.

As to equestrian, I live in the country and associate with ranchers and see both sides. Last Fall the dogs and I came across this guy on a horse and I don't think I've ever felt that sorry for a bow-backed animal in my life. But he was obviously experienced on horses . . . . just fat. And there are a whole lot of tubby ranchers.

On the other hand, the very svelte Shania Twain rides her horse twice a day, even on tour, and swears by it.

Cowperson

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I'm pretty sure it was the Canadian Curling Association, upon the initial introduction of the sport to the Olympics at, I think, Nagano in 1998, that handed down the controversial mantra that it's champions would have to trim their body profiles or they wouldn't be allowed to go lest they leave a negative image of the sport.

Randy Ferbey of Alberta was quite a porker at the time.

It's only more recently that the image of trimmer curling champions has become more common. But, I think it's amply demonstrated, as with golf, that you don't NEED to be fit to be the champion.


Cowperson

I don't think it has been amply demonstrated at all. I'd argue that John Daly is success is almost purely based on talent, strength and power. It is the lack of fitness that prevented him from winning consistently, and led to numerous injuries,etc.

Mastering the physical elements of golf probably requires more practice and training than any other sport I can think of. Flexibility, strength and muscle endurance are tremendously important in becoming a high level player. The fact that mental toughness and natural ability play a role in sorting out the winners and losers does not make it any less of a sport.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

The fact that mental toughness and natural ability play a role in sorting out the winners and losers does not make it any less of a sport.

You could say mental toughness and natural ability sort out the winners and losers in pool or poker too. That's true of most competitions.

Here's something. Addressing directly the question of "Is Golf A Sport?":

The question was given serious analysis in a study conducted in 2004 by ESPN.com, and, for golf lovers, the process resulted in an unflattering answer. A panel of experts which included sports scientists from the U.S. Olympic Committee, academics who study the science of muscles and movement, sports journalists and former pro baseball and football player Brian Jordan was polled to identify the most demanding of 60 sports. Various activities were graded on 10 components of athleticism: endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination and analytic aptitude. Boxing ranked first, followed by hockey, football and basketball. Golf ranked -- take a deep breath -- 51st out of the 60 sports, just behind table tennis and horse racing. It did, however, place just ahead of cheerleading and roller-skating, with fishing finishing last. Those poor fish have no one to defend them. We do.

Now, the article that came from is at the link below and there are plenty who defend golf as a sport in that article. Just telling you up front.

I'm just not seeing it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2857006

I have a friend in his 60's now who routinely golfs in the 70's and is just downright pretty awesome in his consistency with the clubs. His comfortable, older roundness would leave no confused as to whether he's an athlete although he was once a junior defenceman of some note. Incidentally, he was a high mucky muck in the Canadian Curling Association at one time too.

It's a debate. And it's a debate that comes up often. As I said before though, Adam Pardy is more of an athlete than Tiger Woods.

Cowperson

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

It's a debate. And it's a debate that comes up often. As I said before though, Adam Pardy is more of an athlete than Tiger Woods.

Cowperson

I bet Tiger takes a hit better though.

[IliketoPuck]

I thought this was about Tiger Woods + His Concubines.

Golf takes hand eye coordination.
Sports take hand eye coordination.

Handeye coordination = Handeye coordination therefore Golf = Sport. Debate Ended.

Back to the juicy topics of Tiger and his concubines.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

You could say mental toughness and natural ability sort out the winners and losers in pool or poker too. That's true of most competitions.

Here's something. Addressing directly the question of "Is Golf A Sport?":

The question was given serious analysis in a study conducted in 2004 by ESPN.com, and, for golf lovers, the process resulted in an unflattering answer. A panel of experts which included sports scientists from the U.S. Olympic Committee, academics who study the science of muscles and movement, sports journalists and former pro baseball and football player Brian Jordan was polled to identify the most demanding of 60 sports. Various activities were graded on 10 components of athleticism: endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination and analytic aptitude. Boxing ranked first, followed by hockey, football and basketball. Golf ranked -- take a deep breath -- 51st out of the 60 sports, just behind table tennis and horse racing. It did, however, place just ahead of cheerleading and roller-skating, with fishing finishing last. Those poor fish have no one to defend them. We do.

Now, the article that came from is at the link below and there are plenty who defend golf as a sport in that article. Just telling you up front.

I'm just not seeing it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2857006

I have a friend in his 60's now who routinely golfs in the 70's and is just downright pretty awesome in his consistency with the clubs. His comfortable, older roundness would leave no confused as to whether he's an athlete although he was once a junior defenceman of some note. Incidentally, he was a high mucky muck in the Canadian Curling Association at one time too.

It's a debate. And it's a debate that comes up often. As I said before though, Adam Pardy is more of an athlete than Tiger Woods.

Cowperson

You misunderstood my quote... I meant that just because those are elements of success, does not make it less of a sport.


I'd guess that your friend isn't shooting in the 70s on 7800 yard courses with 10 inch rough and 13 stimpmeter greens that wouldn't hold your friend's shot with a 8 iron.

If the following are the major elements of sport:
endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination and analytic aptitude.

Seems like the bolded elements are all the important elements that are key to being successful at golf. You cannot say the same about things like poker, chess, pool, etc.

[IliketoPuck]

Adam Pardy can get soccer balls out of ventilation ducts. I saw it with my own eyes. Bet Tiger can't do that. He's too busy putting the balls there in the first place......

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

If the following are the major elements of sport:
endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination and analytic aptitude.

Seems like the bolded elements are all the important elements that are key to being successful at golf. You cannot say the same about things like poker, chess, pool, etc.

However, I can say that . . . . .

A panel of experts which included sports scientists from the U.S. Olympic Committee, academics who study the science of muscles and movement, sports journalists and former pro baseball and football player Brian Jordan was polled to identify the most demanding of 60 sports. Various activities were graded on 10 components of athleticism: endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination and analytic aptitude. Boxing ranked first, followed by hockey, football and basketball. Golf ranked -- take a deep breath -- 51st out of the 60 sports, just behind table tennis and horse racing. It did, however, place just ahead of cheerleading and roller-skating, with fishing finishing last.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2857006

I'll club you over the head with that every time. Just be thanking they called it a sport.

I just do not see golf as being a sport. It appears to be a game. Like curling, a smoking fat guy can be the champ. Less likely these days than yesteryear admittedly, but . . . . .

By the way, one of my all-time favourite quotes, paraphrased, came out of baseball where a female reporter in the mid-90's was at an All-Star game and asked the rather portly John Kruk, batting champ, with a cigarette in his hand, what it was like to be a professional athlete to which Kruk replied, paraphrased, "Lady, I ain't no athlete. I'm a baseball player."

Baseball too has changed through the years. Even as there were great athletes in baseball you really had to question some of them, a guy like Kruk for example who excelled but was, by his own admission, "no athlete." Most of them are athletes now, if not great athletes.

Perhaps that is the direction golf is going too.

Cowperson