Why is Golf the Sportsman’s Sport?
How many times have you seen pictures and/or videos of top sportsmen and women of other sports on the golf course? Be it Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, England and Tottenham Hotspur soccer star Harry Kane or five-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady, it seems that golf truly is the sportsmen’s sport of choice.
It is no secret that golf is a popular pastime amongst many professionals, and it seems that is also true for elite athletes. Not that golf, in itself, isn’t a gruelling sport all of its own, but its relaxed and gentle pace allows athletes to remove themselves from their high-octane careers.
Golf Days
Much to the delight of fans, it is not uncommon to find competitions where you can win a golf day with a current or ex-professional of another sport. More so, it has become commonplace to see stars of other sports pop up on the course at events – such as the Masters Par 3 event that has seen tennis grand slam winner Andy Roddick amongst others caddy for the pros.
Pro-Am tournaments, pitting professionals alongside amateurs, regularly see celebrities and elite level athletes compete beside golf’s very best. These events have certainly grown in popularity over the years and, mixed with sportsmen’s natural competitive streak, are far from a simple potter around the course.
Who are the Best Non-Professional Golfers?
While love for the game may burn as bright as the next, actual ability certainly does vary – although there are a number of sportsmen from other sports that more than hold their own. Some of these include:
Wayne Gretzky – The famous Canadian hockey player was first introduced to the golf course at age 15 through a relative. Despite being a left-hander playing right right-handed clubs, Gretzky is thought to play off a 10 handicap.
Tom Brady – Yes, the New England Patriots superstar is pretty handy with a set of clubs, playing off a six handicap, but NFL fans may be happy to learn he isn’t the best quarterback when it comes to the golf course.
Tony Romo – The former Dallas Cowboys star plays with a +2 handicap, making him better than a scratch golfer which isn’t bad at all. In fact, Romo will be playing in the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in Punta Cana.
Michael Jordan – The NBA’s poster boy throughout the 80s and 90s, the 6ft 6in baller has been a keen golfer for many years and has even been heard talking down Barack Obama’s game. Playing off a 4 handicap, the Chicago Bulls legend may just get away with aiming his notorious trash talk at the former President of the United States of America.
Jimmy Bullard – The former English soccer star was forced to retire in 2012 due to a troubling knee injury, however, the charismatic midfielder would soon take up a new profession. In 2013, Bullard turned pro and featured on the 2013 Euro ProTour, playing off a +1 handicap.
Golf as a Hobby
While we have seen some athletes turn golf into more than a hobby, for many, they prefer to keep golf as a pastime. Whether that means hitting the course for a cheeky few holes at a golf club in Glasgow, sitting in front of the television during Masters weekend or shopping for all of the latest gear, the sport plays a pivotal part in the lives of millions around the world.
There is no doubt that we will continue to see elite sportsmen and women from other sports hit the course, and long may it continue.
Sports Techie, the Tiger Woods industry boost is now officially over but that didn’t stop him from raising $210,000 for giving two lessons at the Tiger Woods-designed Bluejack National golf course to the winners of the Hurricane Harvey Relief Pro-Am auction item. Those in attendance at the fundraising event got to follow and engage with 25 tour professionals from the PGA, LPGA, PGA Tour Champions and Web.com professional tours.
Charles Barkley claims his golf game is vastly improved. His ‘Inside the NBA’ pals feel otherwise, haha.
Peter Bevacqua, CEO PGA of America, is in the process of changing the elitist image surrounding golf. Girls are the fastest growing demographic segment of new players. Attracting millennial and GenZ aged youth and young adults to the game is a huge priority. Golf also needs to be more diverse feels Bevacqa.
I believe cross over golf athletes like MJ and Brady do help to grow the sport. Perhaps the infusion of Serena Williams and Chloe Kim will do the same for the female golf industry.
How much would you pay to a charity organization to golf with Shaun White, the Rock or Charlotte Flair? What’s it worth the play alongside Jordan Spieth, Lexi Thompson or Jack Nicklaus?
Justin Timberlake can probably beat you at any sport including golf, yo.
See ya later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!
Sports Techie Social Media Networks
Sports Techie Twitter: @SportsTechieNET: http://twitter.com/SportsTechieNET
THE #SportsTechie Twitter: @THESportsTechie: https://twitter.com/THESportsTechie
Sports Techie Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/SportsTechie
Sports Techie YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/sportstechie
Sports Techie Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/108376451503395073827/
Sports Techie Google+ Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/103708211458464405078
Sports Techie (Robert Roble) Google+: https://plus.google.com/+RobertRoble
Sports Techie LinkedIn Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Sports-Techie-2958439
Sports Techie LinkedIn (Robert Roble): https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertroble
Sports Techie Instagram: http://instagram.com/sportstechie
Sports Techie Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/SportsTechie/
Sports Techie Moby Picture: http://www.mobypicture.com/user/sportstechieNET
Sports Techie Myspace (Bob Roble): http://www.myspace.com/549000677
Sports Techie Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86791607@N04/
Sports Techie Vine: https://vine.co/u/906354614369136640
Sports Techie Quora: https://www.quora.com/Bob-Roble
Sports Techie Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user36773456
Sports Techie Skyword: http://robertroble.skyword.com/
Sports Techie Skype: sportstechie
Sports Techie Periscope: Sports Techie
Sports Techie Snapchat: sportstechie
AND
Sports Techie Guy: https://twitter.com/sportstechieguy