Why I think golf is the best sport

Well, the golf season is coming to an end in Canada, although Patrick is off work next week and we are hoping for some nice October weather so we can get in a few last rounds of golf.

Golf is certainly not the best spectator sport, live or on television. I think that place goes to playoff hockey (even though we rarely get to watch the Leafs play). Playoff hockey is fast, physical and action-packed

Golf is not the most physically demanding or even the best exercise sport. I guess that goes to decathlon athletes or marathon runners. Even for us average humans, running or biking are probably better exercise than golf.

Golf is not the least expensive sport to play or the most expensive. Yachting and equestrian I think are a lot more expensive (but are they sports?)

But there is a lot to love about golf, so channelling my inner David Letterman, here are my top ten reasons why I think golf is the best sport:

• Number 10 - If you are playing with people you don't know and you are bad at remembering names, offer to keep score. You can write their names down on the scorecard and you are all set - I am terrible at remembering names so this comes in handy whenever I am matched up in a group where I don' know everyone.

• Number 9 - Golf can be great exercise - If you walk the golf course and carry your clubs, which is the way I play the majority of my rounds, the My Fitness Pal app indicates you will burn 1,408 calories. If you walk and use a pull cart the app indicates you will burn 1,345 calories (I feel like carrying your clubs should burn more calories). You will walk on average over 10 km, log over 10,000 steps and depending on the course walk up between 10 and 20 floors. Not bad for a sport that is more physically demanding than many (mostly non-golfers) realize.

• Number 8 - You can drink beer while playing golf - How many sports can you drink beer while participating? Not many. Although for some, beer-drinking while playing may negate the sport aspect, you are still playing, right?

• Number 7 - Golf doesn't have to be great exercise - Not interested in exercise, or maybe you want to drink beer easily and eat chicken wings while you play. Take a power cart and you can dramatically reduce your walking and increase your storage capacity for food and drinks, while still playing golf. The app indicates playing golf and using a power cart burns off 1,095 calories (something is definitely wrong with that walking and carrying your clubs calorie calculation). The 1,095 categories does not include the calories you put on by drinking beer and eating chicken wings.

• Number 6 - Golf is a sport that people at much different ability levels can play together and still enjoy - My example always is, if you and I are playing tennis and you are really good and I am not very good, neither of us is going to enjoy it. I will end up just picking up the ball and you will be wondering if I am ever going to hit it back (I won't). With golf, people of differing abilities can play together and enjoy it. With some basic understanding of the rules, etiquette and speed of play someone shooting 110 can play with someone shooting 79. Both people can have a great time. If you want to compete (you don't have to), the golf handicap system allows golfers of different skill levels to compete formally or informally.

• Number 5 - If you have three or more sons you can play in the Father and Three Sons (FATS) golf event - We have 4 sons and next year will be our 20th year playing this amazing event. FATS has been played since 1935 and is an incredible family event. Every year it is hosted by a different family (or families) at a different golf course and is something that our family looks forward to every year. The combination of golf, dinners, travelling for a couple of days, and drinking beer makes for a great time. If you have 3 or more sons and are interested go to www.fatherandthreesons.com to learn more.

• Number 4 - Golf is a sport you can play with your children - When our 5 children were growing up I loved watching them play organized baseball. I coached each of them for 2 years and went to as many games as I could. When they got older, watching them play night games on a warm summer evening under the lights was fantastic. However, baseball, like many other sports you watch your children do, doesn't allow you to participate with them. In golf, you can play with your children. As they go through different stages of life (teenagers!) there are not too many activities where you get to spend 4 hours together (more if you include travel time, lunch or dinner after etc). You also get to talk to your children (yes talk!) while you are golfing. No TV or video game interruptions. Amazing time together.

• Number 3 - Golf is a social game - How many sports can you talk and enjoy a great conversation while playing. That conversation can be with your spouse/partner, children, extended family, customers (what other activity can you spend 4 hours with a customer?), colleagues, friends, the list goes on and on. Not only do you get to talk while playing the round, if you include lunch before or after the round, dinner after, a beer after there is ample time to catch up, socialize and have a great time with whoever you are playing with.

• Number 2 - Golf is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family - Arranging regular golf games with family, friends, colleagues is a great way to stay in contact. The social aspect of golf gives you lots of time to catch up. A few years ago I reconnected with childhood friends. Rick, Paul, Mike and I grew up on the same street and knew each other from kindergarten. From ages 11 to 14 our parents bought us a membership at a local golf course and we spent our summers golfing and eating french fries, drinking coke together. Like many people, we drifted apart but since reconnecting we work to play golf 2 or 3 times every summer. This summer we started biking together and we get out and hike in the winter. Golf definitely helps us stay connected.

• Number 1 - Golf is an amazing family sport - When our children were growing up, we were all members at Cherry Downs Golf Club. Lots of weekends we had two tee times for the 7 of us around 1:00 pm. This allowed the kids to sleep in and then play. After golf, we would often have dinner together. It was a great time. As the children got older and went off to school they were no longer members of the club. Although we still played golf together, our times with all of us were less frequent. This was an amazing summer for family golf. We played more times the 7 of us together this year than any time since we were members at Cherry Downs. Because of COVID-19 and change in work and school patterns, Teresa, Sean, Lauren and I played regularly every week. We got lots of games that included Patrick, Kevin and Brendan in on the weekend. I love all of us playing golf together, having a beer(s) after, dinner, laughing and catching up.

Well, that is my top ten reasons why I think golf is a great game. Agree? Disagree? Think I missed something, let me know at thethirdperiod.ca@gmail.com