More insight on golf, bowling and other "sports", not that it is important
I have been thinking (a fairly dangerous activity for me) about things as the debate rages on concerning the pros and cons of golf on "bethy's" blog. One of the things I have been thinking about is what did people do in Jesus' time to relax and unwind? I don't think they have uncovered any ancient golf courses in Egypt or Israel. I am also quite sure they haven't found any traces of baseball diamonds, football or soccer fields or even one badminton net.
So, the question becomes one of how people dealt with the stress of living and working. We know that drinking wine was a big deal along with having huge parties. We know up north they held Olympic Games far back in history. In Rome the people were entertained by gladiators and chariot races. But, nowhere do find anything historically that would indicate people participated in either team sports or individual sporting activities outside of wrestling and track and field events.
I made a silly comment on the golfing blog about "rocks". The more I think about it, maybe it wasn't all silliness. Back when golf was first invented they certainly didn't have the knowhow to wind up a golf ball like today. More than likely they did use a rock or a piece of wood. Can you imagine how one day Sir Dropsalot saw a stick and a rock and put 2+2 together in his mind. What else can you do with a rock and stick besides use the stick to hit the rock.
Whether the same thing happened with baseball I don't know. By the time basketball came around someone had figured out a way to put air in a ball. They won the Nobel Prize that year for coming up with the idea. Inflatable balls are great but they never became too popular in sports such as golf or baseball. But, in both of those sports there is a version which uses plastic balls with holes in them. Go figure.
What is the purpose of individualistic sporting activities such as bowling and golf? All other sporting events (except those with guns and some track and field events) demand at least one other person to compete against. But, with bowling and golf there is no need for anyone else to be there. Why compete if it is only against yourself?
In both of these sports there is a standard or a goal to reach or beat. In bowling it is the elusive 300 game and in golf it is both a hole in one and par. Bowling is pretty cut and dry as far as its strategy and terminology. Strikes, spares and splits are about the only terms used (except gutter ball). But in golf there is not only a wide array of terms used but the amount of work needed to become even remotely good at the game is insane.
Whoever thought up words like "birdie, eagle and bogey" tells you a little about the mentality of those who invented the game. I thought a birdie was a winged animal of which an eagle is one, and a bogey was a Russian fighter plane. Also in golf are "hooks and slices". To me, one is a fishing term and the other a kitchen one. In golf you have "greens, fairways and roughs" which to a golfer mean something but to an outsider are cause for much head scratching.
For centuries golf has been said to be a form of exercise. Is that why people ride around in carts? The only exercise is swinging the club at the ball and later at trees. Golf is a very sophisticated game that appeals to those who don't like sports like football or NASCAR. For the most part, the only people who like golf are those who play it regularly. Unlike other sports, the game holds little appeal for those who do not play. It is sort of like "Professional fishing", not much appeal except for those who do it in their life.
So, I have said my piece on golf, athletics and games in general. Given my advanced age, my physical condition and my mental state; is it any wonder my favorite games are various card and board games? Some of us old folks like horseshoes and croquette but most of today's kids have no clue what either of them are. Perhaps we need a school to re-educate people on the simple games that don't cost a fortune to get the right clubs (another funny golf term), shoes, tees, balls, bags, towels and carts to enjoy. For those who still enjoy golf, well I have nothing to say except I will pray for you.
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Author: blessings2you
Location: Warrenton Missouri USA
Gender: Male
Age: 57
Blog Entries: 821 (archive)
Blog Comments: 5
god called me to serve him when i was 16 years old while on a church work trip in new mexico in 1969. in the 40 years since; i attended bible school/leadership training, been ordained to the christian ministry and worked full time for a non-denominational ministry for nearly ten...
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in 1969 god stepped in and transformed my life as a sixteen year old teenager. after a couple of years of intense emotional ups and downs, i decided i needed a firm foundation in my life that went beyond emotional experiences. it was the decision to become involved with a...
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is not a huge fan of shopping she knows it is a vital activity for many women). 
Is that what you meant by running in full military gear? 
I didn't know that about the "talent" portion though. Let's face it, women haven't been able to do much of anything, ever. *sigh*