Is being overweight a disadvantage as a pro and if not is golf even a sport?

[User62651]

Watching the Open and surprised at how many players are carrying quite a bit of excess weight. I thought the Tiger factor 15 yrs ago would make players look at their body conditioning more to keep up, but it seems unimportant as the fatties are hitting as far as the 'athletes'. Seems like flexibility and strength is whats key combined with experience for links anyway. With recent winners Clarke, Els and Mickelson all over 40 and a bit fat, is golf actually a sport or just a game for middle aged men, like bowls?:smirk:

 

[Stuey01]

I think you are confusing "sport" with "exercise".
They are not necessarily the same thing

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Is bowls no a sport then?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Monty famously tried to lose weight and it played havoc with his swing. Think Westwood had similar issues. It's definitely a sport btw (or the Olympics wouldn't recognise it). I think you'll find that even some "big" guys are still doing work in the gym so don't let the physique fool you. Most are as fit as they need to be to play top golf

 

[Val]

It's a disadvantage for sure, fatigue will come in quicker for an overweight player for starters.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's a disadvantage for sure, fatigue will come in quicker for an overweight player for starters.

It's a five hour saunter in the countryside. Plenty of drinks and refreshments being lugged round by the caddy so hardly an endurance event

 

[Val]

It's a five hour saunter in the countryside. Plenty of drinks and refreshments being lugged round by the caddy so hardly an endurance event

Not everyone can walk around for 5 hours and feel no effects. Stick 2 stone on your back and see the effect it has on your feet and legs.

 

[Crazyface]

Pass the biscuits someone.

 

[User62651]

Some players clearly dont feel its any kind of issue, just surprises me a bit in this day and age as professional sports people, I do recall Monty in his heyday sweating buckets in hot and humid US majors and thinking he'd have a better chance if he was a bit lighter but maybe it didn't make any difference, Jack Nicklaus was overweight most of his career I think.

 

[Slab]

Nous

 

[Whereditgo]

Monty famously tried to lose weight and it played havoc with his swing. Think Westwood had similar issues. It's definitely a sport btw (or the Olympics wouldn't recognise it). I think you'll find that even some "big" guys are still doing work in the gym so don't let the physique fool you. Most are as fit as they need to be to play top golf

Synchronised swimming anyone?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Presumably rules out Rugby Union as a sport since many front-row forwards are medically overweight, but I'm not going to tell them nor am I likely to tell them that theirs is not a sport.

Fitness can be described in many ways and sports take many forms.

 

[londonlewis]

Watching the Open and surprised at how many players are carrying quite a bit of excess weight. I thought the Tiger factor 15 yrs ago would make players look at their body conditioning more to keep up, but it seems unimportant as the fatties are hitting as far as the 'athletes'. Seems like flexibility and strength is whats key combined with experience for links anyway. With recent winners Clarke, Els and Mickelson all over 40 and a bit fat, is golf actually a sport or just a game for middle aged men, like bowls?:smirk:

These are my favourite parts of your post. Congratulations on producing one of the most ridiculous posts in the history of this forum.

 

[davidy233]

As long as they tuck their shirts in there's no problem :angry:

 

[One Planer]

Is being overweight a disadvantage as a pro?

Ask Angel Cabrerra, Kevin Stadler, Shane Lowry, Jimmy Ness, Monty. I'm sure they'll answer that for you

Is golf even a sport?

Sport

noun: sport; plural noun: sports

1. An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

Yes. Golf regardless of body shape is, by dictionary definition, a sport.

 

[User62651]

These are my favourite parts of your post. Congratulations on producing one of the most ridiculous posts in the history of this forum.

Thanks

 

[Chisteve]

As long as they tuck their shirts in there's no problem :angry:

It highlights it more I know I have the problem myself to a small extent anyways :lol:

 

[Doh]

Peter Aliss was commenting on how fit golfers we're becoming but at the same time not being able to remember a time when there were more injuries to golfers. That is the thing good thing about fat, you can't pull it he said.

 

[Papas1982]

Not everyone can walk around for 5 hours and feel no effects. Stick 2 stone on your back and see the effect it has on your feet and legs.

Surely if they've had that weight all the time then they'll be used to it? Didn't Clarke win it before he lost all his extra weight?

 

[DaveM]

Me thinks Homer has one on him today. Havein a bad day homer? No Duff left?