By Blake Kim and Mason Vargas
- Does golf require physical skill and coordination, similar to other sports?
Blake Kim:
Hitting a 1.68-diameter ball into a 4.25 hole from over 300 feet away is no easy task. Not everybody has the skill to aim and hit the ball towards the hole, while also taking into account wind, slope, and even grass length. Only professionals have the ability to consistently control their shots, getting close-to-perfect swings on every round. Choosing the right club can be difficult with so much variation in the requirements to get the best possible swing. However, just because something requires skill does not make it a sport. Gardening, a labor-intensive activity that takes a certain talent in order to succeed, is not a sport. Although it does require extensive knowledge of plants and how they grow, the best conditions for them, and constant attention, gardening remains a hobby or job. In addition, board games – similar to golf – do qualify as games but definitely do not fall under the category of sports. You need to have well-crafted strategies as well as deep knowledge of the game in order to win, but not athleticism or physical exertion. Sounds similar to golf, right?
Mason Vargas:
Absolutely. Golf demands a high level of physical skill, coordination, and control. Swinging a club with precision requires flexibility, balance, and strength—especially in the core and upper body. Unlike gardening or board games, golf involves dynamic movement, explosive power, and fine motor control, all of which are essential in sports. The ability to generate clubhead speed, adjust for terrain, and strike the ball cleanly takes years of training, just like any other sport. Even professional athletes from other sports,–like basketball or football–struggle with golf because of the physical skill required.
- Can golf be compared to other sports in terms of mental focus and strategy?
Blake Kim:
Golf should not be compared to sports in terms of mental focus and strategy. In what world can a sport be played while drinking and smoking—activities commonly associated with rich golfers. Board games like chess require strategy and mental focus—and you can do these unsportsmanlike activities. “The prevailing notion is that one or two beverages serve as proper “swing oil,” loosening the muscles and easing those first-tee apprehensions…[some claim] a six-pack is their Valhalla,” says Joel Beall, a professional golfer. No matter what activity requires mental focus, no professional sport that calls for sportsmanship and athleticism should be so closely associated with alcohol. In both golf and chess, you compete, keep score, and declare a winner, all while taking part in other nefarious activities, not meant for a sport.
Mason Vargas:
Yes. Golf demands an elite level of mental toughness, strategy, and focus—just like basketball, football, or tennis. Athletes in all sports deal with nerves, pressure, and split-second decision-making. Golfers must read the course, adjust for wind and elevation, and execute precise shots under intense pressure. Comparing golf to chess ignores the fact that golf also involves a high level of physical execution. And while some golfers may drink or smoke recreationally, that doesn’t define the sport itself—plenty of athletes in other sports have done the same.
- Does golf involve competition and a scoring system, key elements of sports?
Blake Kim:
Golf’s scoring system, while structured, has a dependence on external conditions from mother nature, rather than direct competition between players. Things like wind, course layout, terrain changes, and luck influences how someone plays, which can make scoring pretty inconsistent and wrong. Most sports directly reflect how an athlete executes their plays—-basketballs skillful dribbling, volleyballs need for passing ability, even hobby horsings jumping prowess. These skills are for the most part consistent, and will show in the scores of each game—as opposed to golf, which is very dependent on luck and outside conditions. “Golf is, by nature, a game of luck,” says Kevin Greenup, a professional golfer and a member of Tiny Putters Golf.
Mason Vargas:
Yes, golf is undeniably competitive. While environmental factors like wind and terrain play a role, they affect every player equally, just like weather conditions impact outdoor sports like football or baseball. The scoring system in golf is structured, skill-based, and reflects performance over an entire round. Players must consistently execute precise shots and make adjustments based on conditions—just like a quarterback reading a defense or a pitcher adjusting their throws. Golfers aren’t just playing against the course; they’re competing against each other, which is the essence of a sport.
- How does golf require endurance and fitness, especially in tournaments?
Blake Kim:
While golf does burn some calories from walking from course to course, it pales in comparison to the vigorous physical activity many other sports partake in. Most calories are burnt from carrying clubs and walking the course—but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these activities are not an important part of golf. (Inc. v. Martin). Golfers with disabilities were allowed to utilize golf carts because it would not “fundamentally alter the nature” of golf. This court case demonstrates that in its raw form, golf is simply a game of precision and luck—hardly requiring any real professional athleticism.
Mason Vargas:
Golf requires far more endurance and fitness than it’s given credit for. Walking an 18-hole course can cover 5-7 miles, often in extreme heat, requiring stamina and focus over four to five hours. The golf swing itself is a full-body motion that engages muscles in the legs, core, shoulders, and arms, requiring strength and flexibility. Professional golfers train with strength and conditioning programs, just like athletes in other sports. The Supreme Court ruling allowed disabled golfers to use carts, but that doesn’t mean walking the course isn’t physically demanding—it’s just an accommodation for fairness, similar to wheelchair basketball.
- Can golf be considered a sport because of its professional training and development?
Blake Kim:
Professional training and development do not necessarily make golf a sport, as many non-sport activities (like I have said previously) require similar dedication. For example, to improve their skills at this game, professional chess players have to go through grueling training with strategy and concentration—yet chess remains just that, a game. Likewise, musicians (like myself) and eSports players have to go to practice to improve their playing skills or gaming mechanics, but these activities still don’t qualify as a sport. Golfers may refine their swings and learn their clubs, but the training focuses MUCH more on precision, rather than athleticism like strength, speed, or endurance—like other, real sports.
Mason Vargas:
Yes, and the comparison to chess or music doesn’t hold up. While musicians and chess players train extensively, their activities lack the physical exertion and coordination that define sports. Professional golfers spend hours perfecting their swings, increasing strength, improving endurance, and refining their mechanics—just like athletes in basketball, soccer, or baseball. Golf requires a blend of physical and mental abilities, which is why it’s recognized in the Olympics and why professional golfers are elite athletes. Training in golf isn’t just about precision; it’s about power, consistency, and adaptability—all core elements of a sport.