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[Debate/토론] (PC-011) Is Golf a Sport?
최고관리자  |  17-11-05 09:44
Golf in the United States is a $70 billion annual industry with 24.1 million players. A 2016 poll by Public Policy Polling found that nineteen percent of Americans call themselves golf fans, down from twenty-three percent in 2015. The debate over whether or not golf is a sport wages on the internet, in bars, amongst sportswriters, and even on the golf course.

Proponents say that golf meets the definition of "sport" found in the dictionary, requires physical exertion and coordination, and is recognized as a sport by sporting goods companies, athletic associations, fans, the media, and more. They point to golf's inclusion in the Olympics starting in 2016 as further evidence of its qualification as a sport.

Opponents say that golf better meets the definition of "game" than "sport," does not require rigorous physical activity, and can be played professionally by people who are overweight, injured, or non-athletic. They argue that golf is a game or leisure activity, and they cite golf's 112-year absence from the Olympics as proof that it is not a sport.

Pros

1. Golf meets the definition of the word "sport" found in many dictionaries. 

2. Golfers burn more calories than gymnasts. 

3. Golf requires coordinated muscle use.

4. The International Olympic Committee considers golf a sport. 

5. College and university athletic departments classify golf as a sport.

6. Professional golfers are considered athletes by mainstream media.

7. Physical training leads to improvement in golfer's performance.

Cons

1. Golf better matches the definition of a game than a sport. 

2. Unlike a sport, golf does not require rigorous physical activity.

3. If an activity does not make you break a sweat, or if it can be done while drinking and smoking, then it is not a sport. 

4. The fact that golf can be difficult and requires practice and skill to achieve proficiency does not mean it qualifies as a sport.

5. Golf involves competition, keeping score, and declaring a winner, but those qualities alone do not make it a sport. 

6. Sports experts agree that golf lacks the athletic rigor needed to be a real sport. 

7. Athleticism does not correlate with performance when it comes to golf.