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Austin Paulenske
English 1020
Professor Layton
1, February 2014
Word Count: 1,307
Is Golf a Sport?
A question that is contemplated by sports enthusiasts across the nation is weather or not
the tremendously popular sport of golf is actually indeed a sport at all. There are qualified sports
writers with opinions on each side of the spectrum. PackSmack, an analyst from
Bleacherrepot.com takes a stand the golf is in-fact not a sport. This particular journalist takes a
comical approach on the subject and mocks the so called game of golf and the people who
participate in it. On the opposing side, Tim McDonald, a contributor and journalist on
Travelgolf.com, argues that not only is golf a spot, but the most difficult of them all. Both writers
on each side of the argument offer strong statements that refute the opposition. In order to
determine which writer offers the strongest and most convincing argument, a summary and
analysis of each article follows.
In the article advocating that golf is not a sport, PackSmack makes it apparent that he is a
die-hard football fan just by the title of the article, NFL Withdraw: Golf is NOT a Sport!. The
article starts off by describing the way the author feels when the football season comes to a
conclusion. He makes a claim that It (golf) tries to sneak up on you in the offseason, then goes
on to describe how people stumble upon a game of golf while flipping through the channels
looking to watch a football game. The author states that if you let your heart be lulled into the
sweet delusion that golf is actually a sport, you will be lost. He then progresses to comically
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explain why golf can not be considered a sport under the subtitle, Golf Disqualifiers. The first of
his arguments is that golf doesnt actually have real fans; he asserts that they are all paid actors
and actresses. He then tries to jokingly provide evidence why this claim is valid. The next point
the journalist tries to make is a more serious one. He puts forth the argument that compares the
difficulty of hitting a stationary golf ball versus hitting a 100 mph baseball that could be moving
in any direction. He emphasizes his point by saying So where is the challenge in hitting a
STILL ball? The Columnists third point was criticizing the fact that the audience must be quite
when a golfer is about to tee off. He claims that prohibiting spectators from expressing
themselves is un-American. The last of the journalists points is that nobody is trying to stop
them. He asserts that since golf has no pressure, defense or inhibitors on the opposing side, than
it cant possibly be considered a sport. PackSmack concludes the article by offering unrealistic
suggestions that would make golf a sport, inferring that all hope is lost for this game to ever be
considered a real sport.
This article was in no way persuasive or convincing. The columnist comes off as an
arrogant meat-head with no credentials to evaluate golf. The biggest weakness of this article was
the authors bias opinion towards football. It took away credibility from the writer because he did
not take into consideration or refute the parts of golf that may resemble aspects of a sport. In
stead he just picked apart the traits of golf that he didnt like such as the silence aspect. It is far-
fetched and even silly to infer that golf isnt a sport because the fans courteously allow the golfer
to concentrate. He then goes on to try to validate false assumptions. For example, his case that
suggested that fans are paid actors may have been humorous, but was in no way effective. On the
other hand, the few strengths of his argument were his comical approach that kept the reader
entertained to a certain extent, and two of his four main points. The first of those points being his
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comparison between golf and baseball. This was a strong argument because it makes the reader
consider the difference in the difficulty of hitting a stationary golf ball versus a pitch in baseball.
This may then lead the reader to question the legitimacy of the sport based on difficulty. The
second strong-suit of his four main points was the fact that there is no defense in golf. When
most people think of sports, they think of an offence and defense, therefore when one of those
characteristics is absent, it may persuade the reader in his favor.
On the other side of the debate, Tim McDonald fights his position by writing an article
titled Golf Isnt Just a Sport; its the Hardest of Them. The editorial starts out by describing the
type of person who would make the bold statement, golf isnt a sport. McDonald suggests that
this claim is most often made by a sports writer who limits their vision to basketball, football and
baseball. He then asserts that this type of sports writer presumes that a sport only requires the
physical abilities of one who plays one of three majors (basketball, football, baseball). The writer
continues by interpreting the definition of a sport. He believes that the aspects of golf such as
hand-eye coordination, focus, stamina, and sense of competition are what make it a sport.
McDonald shifts his argument by explaining what makes golf so difficult. He claims that the task
of hitting a golf ball straight is one that even professionals have a hard time accomplishing. As
the article continues, he then dissects what it means to be an athlete. He says that golfers arent
particularly fast or high-jumping, but some have quick hands, feet and eyes, and a passion or
drive to win. Towards his conclusion McDonald states that hitting a golf ball straight and true is
a science and an art that requires pure talent. To wrap up the article he states that golf is a subtle
and complicated sport that doesnt come naturally to most people.
McDonalds article took a short but sweet approach on the debate. It wasnt extensive
and boring but in stead it was short, crisp and to the point. One of his arguments biggest
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strengths is that he hit the nail on the head when stereotyping the typical sports writer who would
deem golf to be a game rather than a sport. He directly described the impression that the author
behind the PackSmack article had on me. Another strength in this article was the way McDonald
defined a sport. His claim that running, jumping, and busting heads are not the only
qualifications of a sport was logical and convincing. Although this article was much more
convincing than that of the opposing side, it still had its weaknesses. The first of two being the
way the author classified an athlete. An athlete is usually personified as athletic, meaning they
must be agile, fast, and strong. Therefore the manner in which he described an athlete does not fit
that role. The second of this articles weak points was the contradictory statement made; golf is a
science and an art. McDonald previously refers to golf as a sport then proceeds to call it
something else. This may confuse his audience as to what the author is actually arguing. Overall
this was a well structured article with the exception of a couple weaknesses.
Weather or not golf is a sport; I will leave you to decide. Based on these two opposing
viewpoints my opinion is swayed towards McDonalds argument. Both authors offered
reasonable statements to consider when pondering the issue at hand. The way the information
was presented had an enormous effect on the persuasiveness of the arguments. PackSmacks
mockery approach towards golf made their argument weak and inferior. Therefore McDonalds
key points and presentation are what brought me to my conclusion.