Golf Is Good

The U.S. Open Golf Championship is this weekend.  As a golfer, this is pretty much a must-see-TV event me, as is The Masters and the other so-called 'major' tournaments.

That surely sounds incredibly boring to those who don't care about golf.  Too bad for them.  The fact is, people of all ages who don't care about it are missing out, big time.

Let's just summarize a few of the reasons that golf is the greatest sport ever invented:

• It's a life-long sport.  It can be played at any age, and you don't need to be in peak physical condition to enjoy playing it.  Even older and disabled people can play it, because it doesn't require absolute physical strength and agility (although that helps).

• It's never the same.  Unlike the uniform conditions for indoor sports, in golf every hole on every course is different, and the weather elements are always a factor.

• It's got competitive equilibrium.  With its handicap, slope, and course rating systems, any two people can play on any given course in an even game.  No other sport can consistently and accurately do this, which is totally awesome!

• It's incredibly challenging, requiring as much mental as physical skill.  But still so damn much fun.

And lastly.....Caddyshack!