Carts for Everyone!

[Jayhawk]

 

Originally posted by Fatty:
Walking 18 holes does not a sport make, unless you're a professional bowler.

Not completely contrary to your post Jay, but anyone who thinks the sport (skill, competition, draw, whathaveyou) of golf comes from the fact they walk 18 holes is a little off base.  If they walked 18 holes with people throwing rocks at them, you might have a case, or maybe 11 guys trying to tackle you as you went to your next tee.

[This message has been edited by Fatty (edited 05-31-2001).]

Try 36 holes. And yes fatigue does effect you ability to think (or not to think for you golfers out there) and to execute the shot. Remember these guys (or buffons as some call them) get paid for there performance not for a contract. If they play bad then they don't make money. The expenses of being on tour are very hefty and if your a average golfer on tour making less than 250K a year, you will find yourself around the same as a somebody making 50-65K a year. Walk 6-7 miles then hit a 1" ball within 2 feet of a 4" hole from 150 yards with a stick and tell me it doesn't take skill or talent and isnt a sport. Walk (or not walking) does effect your play. Any advantage can make or break a tournament. This game (which is one of the oldest) has a lot of history and one of the few games where the player is required to be "HONEST" and call penelties on themsleves.

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"Little boy blue....cause he needed the money".....owwwww

[Fatty]

Yeah, Jay, some bowling balls are heavy.

Heck I get tired just driving there sometimes, is that part of the sport too?  

I enjoy watching Tiger Woods, might even go so far to call myself a fan.  But what impresses me is not his ability to walk as far as some little old ladies, but his actual golf game.

[Jayhawk]

 

Originally posted by Fatty:
Yeah, Jay, some bowling balls are heavy.

Heck I get tired just driving there sometimes, is that part of the sport too?    

I enjoy watching Tiger Woods, might even go so far to call myself a fan.  But what impresses me is not his ability to walk as far as some little old ladies, but his actual golf game.

Agreed Fatty......walking is not "part" of the sport itself but just the transport to get to the next "frame". It does impact performance. Would you be opposed to someone having the little ramp they use for the kiddies on tour due to not being able to pick up the bowling ball (due to its weight) for the entire set of frames or having someone with a sholder problem be able to use a brace that would enable them to keep there sholder in line with there body with out fail? I will tell you this...I cant bowl at all (due to my knee). I use to play rugby and soccer before my bike wreck. It takes skill to play any sport and fatigue can effect the game. Golf at a competitive level for its entire lifetime (since the 1700's) has been played by people who walk the course. It is part of the game just as picking up a heavy bowling ball. Call me anal, but when riding a cart it is sort of a fat, rich, lazymans sport. I have friends who play on the buy.com tour. When they play day in and day out in 100+ degree heat and  cannot generate enuff breeze to keep themselves from heat exhaustion it was very depressing to see Mr. Martin all dry and cool riding around in his cart. It was an unfair advantage. Plain and simple. He won more money then the other players. BTW Casey and Tiger went to school together and were friends. Tiger has stated that he would prefer the rules were not altered for this one individual. Tiger does understand the tradition and honor of the game and I very much like to watch him and Sergio Garcia. I was always sort of a Slam'n Sammy Snead fan though (I am a little dated yes.....).  

[This message has been edited by Jayhawk (edited 05-31-2001).]

[Fatty]

Then take the caddies away from the girliemen in today's PGA.

[rosco-]

 Ive played golf once.

 I agree with everything FD said  
 
 Only  think more mindnumbing than playing golf is watching people play it on TV. Only time I kinda enjoyed golf was watching Caddyshack.

[Jayhawk]

 

Originally posted by Fatty:
Then take the caddies away from the girliemen in today's PGA.

Make the PBA bowlers retrieve there own ball from the pit.  .

[Fatty]

Would be fine with me, but I don't see any of them claiming that the walk from the ball tray to the line is part of the difficulty of the sport.

[Jayhawk]

 

Originally posted by Fatty:
Would be fine with me, but I don't see any of them claiming that the walk from the ball tray to the line is part of the difficulty of the sport.

They would if it was a 400 yard walk  .

[Fatty]

If there were such a thing, and they did complain, I would laugh at them.  The same way I laugh at the idea walking 6-7 miles while someone carries your gear along behind you is some sort of athletic feat.

Hitting an accurate drive over 300 yards is impressive.  Walking up to it is not, especially with someone else carrying all your stuff.

[Nash]

Just so I get this straight...

Are you saying that fatigue has absolutely zero impact on making an accurate drive/chip/putt etc?

I agree that walking isn't some sort of feat, but I can't see how this wouldn't have an impact on performance.

[Sandman_SBM]

Guys... it's not just one walk up to the ball. We're talking 72 holes. That's approximately 20 miles of walking.

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cheers,
sand
screamin blue messiahs
The SBM's are hiring!

[Fatty]

Unless you are in very bad shape, no, it should not have any impact whatsoever.

Yes, 20 miles, broken up into 4 days.  If you cannot make 5 miles (broken up all afternoon) and still be able to swing a club with zero noticable effects, I strongly suggest you get your blood pressure and cholestoral checked.

[AKDejaVu]

 

Are you saying that fatigue has absolutely zero impact on making an accurate drive/chip/putt etc?

I don't think anyone said that.  I do believe that most (including the supreme court) believe that this individual had enough impacting him fatigue wise just walking from the cart to the ball as any other golfers experience walking 6 miles.

Once again, the policy should have considered just what this particular golfer was gaining by using a cart.  It wasn't to keep him from getting tired.  Any advantages gained are outweighed by the disability.

AKDejaVu

[Sandman_SBM]

So... the next time someone asks for a cart, it's going to go to the Supreme Court to decide if they deserve it or not?

Oh... and some of the tournaments go 72 holes in two days...



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cheers,
sand
screamin blue messiahs
The SBM's are hiring!

[Nash]

 

Any advantages gained are outweighed by the disability.

Then I reckon the US Olympic Rowing team outta fit one of their boats up with an Evenrude and about 2 dozen pontoons, because clearly... SOB is in NO shape to participate under the current draconian conditions.  

"Disabled golfer Casey Martin may use a cart to ride in tournaments, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, saying federal law requires a leveling of the playing field for the handicapped, even in pro sports."

I mean... not to be calous about this man's condition... it's unfortunate, yeah... but we're talking about professional athletes playing at the top of their respective fields. Do we really want to see this door being openned?

Btw, what is the definition of "handicapped", anyway? Is it something you're born with? A disease? Or could it also include the numerous career ending injuries professional athletes are constantly aflicted with?

If some kind of heriditary disease only... Could hemopheliacs who have ambitions on the NFL be given flags in lieu of getting tackled?

If it includes just pure debilitating injury, could a goalie with a bum knee have the posts moved in to offset his restricted movement?

Extreme cases, granted... but it's interesting. I'm not sure how and where the line would be drawn.