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Why Golf has 18 Holes.
The following is not intended to offend fans of tennis, basketball, football, baseball or hockey. It is, rather, an attempt to put everything in its proper perspective. Ever wonder why golf is growing in popularity and why people who don't even play go to tournaments or watch it on TV?
The following may shed some 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 kick dirt on, or throw bottles at, other people. Professional golfers are paid 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.
The PGA raises more money for charity in 1 year than the NFL does in 2. 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 even a nosebleed seat at the Super Bowl costs around $300 or more unless you buy it from scalpers in which case it's $1,000+.
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. If you bring a soft drink into a ballpark, they'll give you two options - get rid of it or leave.
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, Palmer, Norman, 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. 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 hits a golf ball over twice as far as Barry Bonds hits a baseball.
Golf courses don't ruin the neighborhood.
And Finally: Here's a little slice of golf history that you might enjoy. Why do golf courses have 18 holes - not 20, or 10, or an even dozen? During a discussion among the club's membership board at Saint Andrews in 1858, a senior member 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.
Originally posted by FishrCutB8:
In their prime, Palmer, Norman, 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."
I love golf, but I question the implication in this paragraph. A lot of pro golfers can be pretty unpleasant towards fans and Greg Nirman was apparently quite guilty of that. OTOH, Palmer is apparently a really decent guy. A couple of my dad's friends met him on the 18th at Bay Hill (his home course). They were the last pair of the day, and Palmer joined them on the 18th just to chat as they were finishing their round.
Originally posted by steelerfan: Love the game.
But why dosen't golf like me???
Not to be picky but a shot is usally 1 ounce I beleive. Isn't there more than 18 ounces in a fifth? Was that a pint maybe?
I would imagine that gentleman's shot was based on the particular glass he used. He obviously liked a larger shot. As in anything, the people who show up get to make the rules and decisions.
quote:Originally posted by FishrCutB8:
In their prime, Palmer, Norman, 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."
I love golf, but I question the implication in this paragraph. A lot of pro golfers can be pretty unpleasant towards fans and Greg Nirman was apparently quite guilty of that. OTOH, Palmer is apparently a really decent guy. A couple of my dad's friends met him on the 18th at Bay Hill (his home course). They were the last pair of the day, and Palmer joined them on the 18th just to chat as they were finishing their round. [/quote]I volunteer for the 84 Lumber Classic every year and while you have Pros that are pompus jerks, a lot of then are very nice people.
The 84 Classic dosen't draw the greatest field being that it is on the Fall Swing and is in Farmington Pa. However there were some big names this past fall. Vijay Singh (won this year), Stewart Appleby, Chris Demarco, Mark OMera and others. I walk with the golfers carrying there scores, you know Sign Boy like the Footjoy com.
The nicest guy's I walked with or met were Stewart Applebey, Jason Bohn (rookie last yr), Arron Badley (Bads - He refused to hook me up with the girls in his commerical though), Harrison Frazier and Tom Gillis.
Jerks include Frank Lichliter III, Mark Calveckia, & PA. native Rocco Mediate.
quote:Originally posted by FishrCutB8:
In their prime, Palmer, Norman, 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."
I love golf, but I question the implication in this paragraph. A lot of pro golfers can be pretty unpleasant towards fans and Greg Nirman was apparently quite guilty of that. OTOH, Palmer is apparently a really decent guy. A couple of my dad's friends met him on the 18th at Bay Hill (his home course). They were the last pair of the day, and Palmer joined them on the 18th just to chat as they were finishing their round. [/quote]I volunteer for the 84 Lumber Classic every year and while you have Pros that are pompus jerks, a lot of then are very nice people.
The 84 Classic dosen't draw the greatest field being that it is on the Fall Swing and is in Farmington Pa. However there were some big names this past fall. Vijay Singh (won this year), Stewart Appleby, Chris Demarco, Mark OMera and others. I walk with the golfers carrying there scores, you know Sign Boy like the Footjoy com.
The nicest guy's I walked with or met were Stewart Applebey, Jason Bohn (rookie last yr), Arron Badley (Bads - He refused to hook me up with the girls in his commerical though), Harrison Frazier and Tom Gillis.
Jerks include Frank Lichliter III, Mark Calveckia, & PA. native Rocco Mediate.
I'm sure I misspelled most, sorry... [/quote]I've heard that Vijay Singh can be very difficult (my father's met him a few times). Golf Magazine rated Rory Sabbatini the biggest asshole on tour in an issue last year.
The Arnold Palmer story is my favourite, though. My dad's friends (both close to 60 at the time) felt like children meeting their idol and Palmer walked the 18th with them just to chat and be friendly. Pretty amazing to see that sort of kindness from a legend of the sport.
Yeah I forgot about Sabbatini I was actually the score carrier for a foursome that included Sabbitini he is a ass but Jason Bohn was in that group also and he was a great guy, so maybe I ignored Rory.
As far a Vijay the other Pros claim he's a nice guy and very funny but to the everyday fan he does come accross as being way above us. He did autograph a 84 lumber flag for me during a pratice round but when I thanked him he never anolgied me..
As far a Vijay the other Pros claim he's a nice guy and very funny but to the everyday fan he does come accross as being way above us. He did autograph a 84 lumber flag for me during a pratice round but when I thanked him he never anolgied me..
That's what I've heard about him. Fynny thing is that it's the fans who show up at tournaments and watch him on TV who've made him a very wealthy man. It should be the fans that he jokes around with and is pleasant towards---he can keep his game face on with the other players.
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