What is a Sport?
Dictionary.com defines sport as an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess. The definition actually mentions golf specifically.
Anybody who has ever swung a golf club knows that golf definitely requires skill and athleticism. You may not be sprinting back and forth down a field for 90 minutes, but you’re not doing that when you play volleyball either.
So if we’re basing our answer on the dictionary alone, then yes, golf is a sport. But let’s dig in a little deeper.
How Many Calories Do You Burn Playing Golf?
In a typical 18 hole round of golf, if you walk the course carrying your own clubs, you can expect to walke 4 to 5 miles and burn about 1500 calories. To burn that many calories playing basketball, you’d have to play for about 2 hours.
It’s also important to note that your body has to coordinate the use of over 17 muscle groups to swing the golf club. Getting those all synced up just right is necessary to deliver a good shot.
So if you’re basing your definition of sport on how many calories you burn, and the use of your muscles, then we are again saying that yes, golf is a sport.
Golf in The Olympics
The olympics is the epitome of sport. They have been a huge part of sport for hundreds of years. So the fact that golf is included in the olympics is a pretty strong argument for considering golf to be an actual sport.
And golf isn’t new to the olympics. In fact, golf made it’s debut in the olympics back in 1900 in Paris, and was again featured in the 1904 Olympics.
It did take a brief, century long hiatus from the olympics until 2016, but hey, it’s back. And I don’t think the olympics would ever take on an event that they didn’t consider to be sport.
Looking at Pro Golfers
Pro golfers are typically very athletic. Most of them live a very healthy lifestyle and do a lot of physical training and conditioning to improve their game. Granted, there are exceptions like John Daly. But he is the exception, not the norm.
In fact, the Associated Press has named a golfer to be male or female athlete of the year 33 times.
Most golfers in today’s world spend a lot of time lifting at the gym. They are building muscle and training their bodies to get maximum swing speed and distance on their drives.
You’d be hard pressed to find a professional golfer who does not consider golf a sport.
Asking Colleges: Is Golf a Sport?
You’ll get a resounding yes from colleges and universities. The NCAA offers athletic scholarships for thousands of golfers every year. More evidence that golf is a sport.
Calling it an athletic scholarship is a clear statement that the NCAA, and colleges and universities are considering golf to be a sport.
Fitness Brands and Golf
Golf is considered a sport by fitness brands as well. Companies like Under Armor sell golf apparel and market it as sporting goods. Nike and Adidas do the same.
Many golfers are even represented by agents from major sports brands.
Sports Injuries in Golf
Lastly, let’s take a look at golf injuries. An astounding 80 percent of pro golfers have experienced back injuries in their career, with many also suffering from hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries as well.
Golf is a sport, and a physically demanding one at that. Training often results in injury as does competing.
Is Golf a Sport? YES!
While there are limited arguments against calling golf a sport, the majority of the evidence supports golf as a legitimate sport.
Whether considering the definition of sport, the amount of physical exertion, or the perspective of big companies and organizations, all signs point to golf being a sport.
Hopefully our analysis helped you resolve your great internal conflict of whether or not golf should be considered a sport. If it did, and you’re ready to improve your golf game, check out these helpful articles!
