Is Golf the Most Mentally Challenging Sport?

[Bartholomew]

I guess you're right. I had wondered why so many chessmasters come from Brazil and wear cleats and shinguards to the matches.

 

[Chrono]

P.S.Oh,and to answer your question:chess.

Yeah, I'm sure chess is a lot more mental than golf. I really should learn how to play.

There is strategy in golf. Knowing what club to hit at what distance. Using the wind to your advantage. Mentally calculating the distance between the ball and the hole.

 

[tribdog]

Something like billiards, but with smaller balls and a much bigger table. I've never seen it, just been told about it, so I hope I remembered that right.

sounds like me on a king size
I mean EVERY single sentence in that post sounds like me on a king size

 

[franznietzsche]

Yeah, I'm sure chess is a lot more mental than golf. I really should learn how to play.

There is strategy in golf. Knowing what club to hit at what distance. Using the wind to your advantage. Mentally calculating the distance between the ball and the hole.

Thats not strategy. Thats physics. Strategy is a bit more subtle than that. Strategy would be planning how your tee off on the first hole sets you up ton win in the 18th hole. Except golf doesn't work that way. Its not strategy.

Yay chess!

 

[Chrono]

Thats not strategy. Thats physics. Strategy is a bit more subtle than that. Strategy would be planning how your tee off on the first hole sets you up ton win in the 18th hole. Except golf doesn't work that way. Its not strategy.

Ok, then. You still use decision-making skills, and the sport involves the control of repetitive movements, it instills mind-body discipline. Plus, it's also a social sport.

 

[franznietzsche]

Ok, then. You still use decision-making skills, and the sport involves the control of repetitive movements, it instills mind-body discipline. Plus, it's also a social sport.

Still no strategy.

 

[Chrono]

Still no strategy.

Well, I didn't necessarily mean that was strategy. They're probably some of the best things you get out of it, though.

 

[Grogs]

Still no strategy.

I have to disagree with you here. There is a strategy to be played here. Professional golfers talk about 'playing a hole backwards.' That is, they look at the green and decide where they'd like to shoot at the green from (distance/angle), then decide which shot or shots can get them there.

There's also an aspect of risk management. Course designers know that the length of a hole isn't much of a problem for top professionals. For example, on a par 5 hole, most pros can probably reach the green in 2 shots (instead of the 3 it takes most mere mortals.) To combat this, course designers place bunkers, water hazards, trees, etc. on the course to make such a strategy more risky. A player who's in a tournament and several strokes behind may elect to go for the risky shot, while one who is in the lead probably won't.

 

[franznietzsche]

I have to disagree with you here. There is a strategy to be played here. Professional golfers talk about 'playing a hole backwards.' That is, they look at the green and decide where they'd like to shoot at the green from (distance/angle), then decide which shot or shots can get them there.

There's also an aspect of risk management. Course designers know that the length of a hole isn't much of a problem for top professionals. For example, on a par 5 hole, most pros can probably reach the green in 2 shots (instead of the 3 it takes most mere mortals.) To combat this, course designers place bunkers, water hazards, trees, etc. on the course to make such a strategy more risky. A player who's in a tournament and several strokes behind may elect to go for the risky shot, while one who is in the lead probably won't.

Well you got me there.

 

[Chronos]

Slamming a piece down with decisive indifference is a fine art.

 

[noobie]

Golf is tough because you got to focus and concentrate but at the same time you can't tense up (your muscles have to stay loose). Oh and the absolute worst is when you realize that you have a chance to make a decent score with a couple of holes to go. Then EVERYTHING starts to fall apart.