The following is forwarded not to offend tennis, basketball,
football or soccer fans. It is, rather, an attempt to put everything
in its proper perspective.
Ever wonder why golf is growing in popularity and people who don't
even play go to tournaments or watch it on TV? These truisms may
shed light.
Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of
players being honorable people who don't need referees.
Golfers don't have some of their players in jail every week.
Golfers don't scratch their privates on the golf course.
Golfers don't kick dirt on, or throw bottles at, other people.
Professional golfers are compensated in direct proportion to how
well they play.
Golfers don't get per diem and two seats on a charter flight when
they travel between tournaments.
Golfers don't hold out for more money, or demand new contracts,
because of another player's deal.
Professional golfers don't demand that the taxpayers pay for the
courses on which they play.
When golfers make a mistake, nobody is there to cover for them or
back them up.
The PGA Tour raises more money for charity in one year than the
National Football League does in two.
You can watch the best golfers in the world up close, at any
tournament, including the majors, all day, every day for $25 or
$30. The cost for a seat in the nosebleed section at the Super
Bowl will cost around $300 or more.
You can bring a picnic lunch to the tournament golf course, watch
the best in the world and not spend a small fortune on food and
drink. Try that at one of the taxpayer funded baseball or football
stadiums. I brought a Coke into Oriole Park at Camden Yards last
year, and an usher came to my seat and told me I had to dispose
of it, or I would not be allowed to stay in the stadium.
In golf you cannot fail 70% of the time and make $9 million a
season, like the best baseball hitters (.300 batting average) do.
Golf doesn't change its rules to attract Fans.
Golfers have to adapt to an entirely new playing area each week.
Golfers keep their clothes on while they are being interviewed.
Golf doesn't have free agency.
In their prime, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer and other stars, would
shake your hand and say they were happy to meet you. In his prime
Jose Canseco wore T-shirts that read "Leave Me Alone."
You can hear birds chirping on the golf course during a
tournament. Ladies are welcome players.
At a golf tournament, (unlike at taxpayer-funded sports stadiums
and arenas) you won't hear a steady stream of four letter words
and nasty name calling while you're hoping that no one spills beer
on you.
Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball three times as far as Barry Bonds
can hit a baseball.
Golf Courses don't ruin the neighborhood.
Finally, here's a slice of golf history I thought you might enjoy.
Why do full-length golf courses have 18 holes, and not 20, or 10
or an even dozen? During a discussion among the club's membership
board at St. Andrews in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it
takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting
himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a
round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out. Now you know.
