The Ideal Participant Sport

There are certainly a significant number of sports available for our exercise and enjoyment and I am sure that each has its own enthusiasts.  Many of these sports are primarily spectator as opposed to participant activities although some are both.  However, in my mind golf is the ideal participant sport.

I list the following reasons:

• Reasonably inexpensive
• Beautiful setting
• Great exercise
• Long playing time
• Enjoyable at different levels of proficiency
• Accessible to both men and women

Reasonably inexpensive.  Although it is possible to spend significant amounts of money on the latest golf equipment and playing in exotic places; in many places in the United States, it is possible to enjoy the game for a reasonably low price.  (Here is a short essay on Senior Golf you might enjoy.)

Beautiful setting.  Most golf courses are almost park-like in nature.  In addition, many have ponds or streams to add to the beauty.  Even the most routine layouts are enjoyable because of the grass and the trees.  I cannot think of another sport setting that compares with the average golf course.

Great exercise.  Although many use carts, walking is a far more enjoyable way to play the game, if you are able.  A typical 9-hole layout is about two miles in length and represents a very pleasant walk.  Of course, walking is a widely recognized as an outstanding form of exercise and walking also contributes to the economy of the sport.

I must admit I have a problem with healthy young people who use carts.  I understand some courses require them and some people think they can play faster with a cart, but give me a break!  The game becomes something completely different with a cart and although I do not believe I could walk 18 holes anymore; I am still basically anti-cart.

Long playing time.  It is possible to play golf for most of one’s life.  As long as someone is able to stand up, he or she can play golf.  This means the length of time one can pursue the sport is as long as probably any other sport; a significant advantage.

Enjoyable at different levels of proficiency.  Golf is somewhat unique in that although you can enjoy it with others; you are ultimately playing against the course.  It is possible to play at many different levels of proficiency and still thoroughly enjoy the game.  Although a professional may be disappointed with a birdie, an individual may be happy with a double-bogey based on his or her abilities.

Accessible to both men and women.  Golf is a game that can be played at all levels by both men and women.  This makes it a good couple’s activity as well as for groups of either men or women.

So…  What do you think?  Isn’t golf the ideal sport?

How did we get to be such a “trashy” society?

I must admit it; I am really offended when I see trash littering public places.  As I try to analyze it, it seems that some people think the rest of us should live with their trash.

Why do people indiscriminately discard so much unwanted material?  We can easily identify the sources of this material.  Much of it is “packaging”, the material used to protect the things we buy until we use them.  Much of this material is packaging for food and beverage that is consumed in our vehicles or out of doors.  In addition, some of the trash is “throw-away” items like lighters, pens and batteries.  (For a comprehensive analysis of Residential Street Trash in a small Midwestern city see: http://mr-bobz-journey.com/Residential_Street_Trash_Study.pdf )

However, understanding where it comes from does not really tell us why it was discarded in this manner.  Perhaps the key question is: when you have something in your hand you no longer need or want, what do you do with it?  The answer to this question is simply a matter of training or conditioning.  Some of us would hold on to it until we find a suitable place to dispose of it, but apparently others would just throw it somewhere.

I am afraid we have developed a generation or more of individuals who were never trained to pick up after themselves or to feel any responsibility for what they do.  One of the inevitable results is a lot of trash lying around.

A Modest Proposal – Develop the habit of exercising by walking outside and always carry a recycled shopping bag.  When you see some trash in your path, just pick it up.  Make sure every vehicle in your family has a handy trash receptacle in it and everybody knows how to use it.

What do you think?