 I was poking around the Internet recently when I came across some interesting reading. In an article asking the age-old question - whether golf is exercise or not - it appears amateur golfers are unhealthy. Really! There was even a study done...and you certainly can't argue with a study! We amateur golfers are simply not in good condition, period. So what the article got me wondering was...should I be surprised? Was it necessary for a "study" to be done to learn of this revolutionary information? Do you think people who enjoy other sports fall into the same unhealthy category as amateur golfers? If so, why have I never seen those articles before? Why is it that people are concerned whether golf is good exercise or not? Let's discuss this further.
First off, let's start with the difference between "amateur" golfers and "amateurs" in any other sport. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (www.m-w.com) defines the word "amateur" as:
"One who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession."
If we are to go by that definition, then everyone who occasionally plays golf is considered an amateur. But the problem is, most people have their own take on the word "amateur." When most people hear or use the word "amateur," the implication is more along the lines of a collegiate athlete, a "semi-pro" or a person who is intent on turning pro. But if everyone out on a public golf course is considered an "amateur," then why are the guys playing a game of pick-up basketball not referred to as "amateurs?" When I sing in the shower, am I considered an amateur vocalist? Merriam-Webster thinks so, but not anyone else...certainly not the little lady anyway! I believe the term "amateur," along with its implication, must set some kind of an expectation or precedent for golfers. Hence the reason "amateur" golfers are chastised for being out of shape and no one else. No one cares if the guys playing Tuesday night softball are fat. No one cares if a few guys who get together on Saturday morning for a game of basketball are out-of-shape. I don't see any "studies" or articles about these guys.
Maybe it's because we amateur golfers are out on the same courses that a pro could play? If those same pick-up basketball players were playing in Madison Square Garden, then would their physical fitness be in question? If my softball team played at Shea Stadium would there be an article about my lack of exercise? Hmmm.
Anyway, I'll answer the original question for you. Is golf exercise? Well, I guess it depends what you consider to be "exercise." But more importantly, who cares anyway? Golf is not and should not be about exercise, and exercise is not and should not be about golf. Do you think Tiger stays in top physical condition by playing golf? Come on! He walks a few hundred yards, stops for a minute, swings a club, walks a couple hundred yards more, swings a club again, walks a bit more and wanders around a patch of grass for a few minutes. He then, more or less, repeats this 17 times, not too mention someone else is carrying his clubs for him! Granted it's better than if you were to do this while riding in a cart, but does this sound like exercise? Maybe not if you're in your 20's, but what if you're in your 60's like many "amateur" golfers are? I realize that many golfers just can't carry a bag for that long, or they need to take a cart. I'm in my 30's and carry my clubs while I walk the course. I only take a cart if either I'm required, or if it's just too damn hot. Which brings me to this...
In the article I mentioned earlier, I read a line (a joke obviously/hopefully) comparing the body of Tiger Woods to that of a 71-year old retiree playing a muni in Texas. Now obviously there is no real comparison and I'm sure very few golfers (or anyone for that matter) are in as good physical condition as the great Tiger Woods. But this guy is 71 and still playing the sport he enjoys! What made me chuckle is that this fact was completely overlooked! So, is golf exercise to him? Well, according to him, he's not there for the exercise. He's there to spend time with his golfing buddies, have a burger and drink a few beers. But I would be willing to bet that he's getting more exercise than most 71 year olds you or I know. The mere fact that he is age 71, and out on a golf course, is the important part - - Not whether he has a gut or not. He's 71 for crying out loud! He's earned the right to have a gut! He's earned the right to not have people worried about if he's getting enough exercise!
Why are more golfers out of shape than people who play other sports? It's very simple...the age range. How many 60 year olds are still playing basketball? How many 50 year olds are still playing football? Do you know any 70 year olds that are still playing softball? See what I mean? Yet all of these people fall into the very large age range of what could be considered regular golfers. Yes, there are motorized golf carts, rolling carts and even personal caddies, which many golfers use whether necessary or not. But the beautiful part of golf is that these are provided if people need them. These conveniences allow the 71 year old with both knees and a shoulder replaced to still get out and play the game he loves. Would he be able to do that in any other sport? Further, would he be able to have a beer and a cigar while participating in that sport? Now, does it matter if his figure is a bit more round than some other people? And think about this for a second - - Is he really more out-of-shape than anyone else? Read on...
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), 66.3 percent of the United States general public is considered overweight or obese. It seems kind of silly to narrow it down to just golfers when two out of every three people in the country have the same problem, whether they play golf or not! So, what does golf have to do with it? People in general are overweight. But at least we golfers are out of the house doing something. Maybe it's not considered good exercise, but it's probably much more than most 60 and 70 year olds are doing to improve their physical condition (and I would venture to say it's a lot more fun also).
Look, golf does not require the player to have the ability to run a sub 4.4 second 40-yard dash. A golfer doesn't have to bench-press 250 pounds 32 times in a row. A golfer does not have to run wind sprints four days during the week in order to prepare for his game on Saturday or Sunday morning. The only thing golf requires is the desire to get out and play.
Bottom line, if you're looking for people who want to be in great shape, go to the gym or to the health food store. In the meantime, I'll be on the course not getting enough exercise. Check back with me when I'm 75 and I'll probably be still doing the same thing.
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