Golf is like coloring
Sep 9th, 2007 by Jesse Moore
I’ve discovered that I like pictures with my posts. Maybe since I struggle to write I can take up coloring instead…
I had an open house today, and didn’t discover until I arrived that they didn’t have tv. Well, they had a tv actually, a giant widescreen HDTV. It just wasn’t connected to anything, which was not what I was anticipating (given the presence of aforementioned giant widescreen HDTV). I actually do like to have the football games on at my opens, as people tend to hang around rather than acting like my listing is an obstacle in their Chinese fire drill. And especially today, being the first Sunday of the football season and the last round of the PGA BMW Championship (hence the photo above).
I never understood televised golf before last year, when I actually started playing golf. Until then it had the same allure as Professional Bowling, curling, or figure skating, with none of the drama. I know better now. When I step up to the tee the odds are against me that it’s going to end up in the fairway, and more even that it will dribble past the ladies tee. I can’t even imagine what a good chip looks like, and I strive for a three-putt. So now I know - televised golf is as valid as any other televised sport for those that appreciate the elements and the challenge of the game. And in games filled with scandal, strikes, and steroids, I choose golf. Tiger Woods is a great model of responsibility to millions of kids - much more so than PacMan Jones, T.O., and Michael Vick. And there are great stories as well: Steve Stricker is 40 years old, and is making a fantastic comeback after an eleven year drought (11 years! That’s longer than the average NFL career!). Even Tiger is impressed by him, saying that there isn’t a nicer guy on the tour.
I just didn’t realize until today, this first NFL Sunday, how discouraged I am by conventional professional sports. I haven’t watched an NBA game since the strike, the same with baseball, and while I still enjoy a good football game, I like it less and less with the pompous celebration after every play. So you tackled someone - what do you want, a cookie? If getting older means that I’m going to be watching more golf, than I embrace getting older.
Just as I embrace coloring books.
Great commentary on pro sports in general, Jess. I used to only turn on golf when I wanted to take a nap but I’m finding myself getting more and more into the sport of it.
In the spirit of trying new things, how about Tennis? Maybe some of your house-hunters would have liked the US Open with “the most dominant athlete in sports today” (these are Tiger Woods’ words) Roger Federer. He is arguably the most dominant athlete in his sport of all time. I love football too, but I agree 100% about the pompous celebration and the scandal, steriods, etc. Tennis is a good break from all that. Try it!
I think you already know that I believe watching sports is silly. Participating in sports is where the fun is.
Nonetheless, let me not take away from the glory of you watching some guy do something you cannot. But, I still think golf is a drag to watch. I don’t watch people FROLF either.
Maybe it comes back to getting older slower and remembering our past physical prowess.
Are you playing fantasy golf now?
Alex: It’s too late in the season to start playing fantasy golf - but come next year…
Marty: Don’t worry, just because I watch golf doesn’t mean that I won’t continue to watch you run on tv.
Heather: I played tennis in high school, and still have a lot of love for the game. Federer is great, but whatever he has for game he lacks in showmanship. I prefer to watch Nadal, but don’t mean to take anything away from Roger. And around here, it’s just easier for me to find someone to play golf with to play a tennis match.