Golf To Rescue? How Golf Has Become The Sport For People

TYLER BITTON - COUCH POTATO SPORTS

When we think of sports most often we think of the big 4 (NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA).

But there’s one sport that a lot of people have turned to during this pandemic that’s proving to be the sport of choice right now.

Golf has always been one of the more enjoyable sports out there no matter what your skillset is. There’s nothing like hitting the links with 4 of your closes friends and enjoying a day, hopefully sunny and warm, outside.

However, golf isn’t one of the sports that a lot of people think of when the world is spinning like normal. Most often we think of golf as that sport that most big 4 athletes play when they have been knocked out of the playoffs or postseason. As a Maple Leaf fan, I know that thought all too well.

But as we have been finding out the last few weeks, golf has become a sport that people are getting into and following more during this pandemic.

It’s been just over a month that most golf courses in North America re-opened for business under strict COVID-19 protocols. Sending people into their basement, or garage, to polish up those clubs and hit the course for one of the only activities that you can enjoy at this time.

Although we all wish things were different, golf clubs and the sport itself could be one that highly benefits in the future from this pandemic. Right now many people who have never played the game or don’t play it to often are starting to see the joy and benefits of playing the game. And for kids now is the perfect time for them to learn a new sport and activity.

Back in March Golf Digest published an article outlining 5 mental benefits you get from golf, which are:

1. Reduces Anxiety

2. Offers Beneficial Social Interaction

3. Reduces The Effects of Depression

4. Lowers Stress

5. Provides a Form of Therapy

Needless to say, golf is the perfect medicine right now during this pandemic.

Not only have courses for the people opened up but the Professional Golf Association Tour (PGA) is back in the swing of things and has completed 2 tournaments since their return to golf. This past week saw Webb Simpson grab top spot at the RBC Heritage while Daniel Berger captured the Charles Schwab Challenge.

It’s no surprise that the players and tour were missing the fans these past two tournaments. But golf has created some positive vibes for the people, both fans and non-fans. Once again sports fans have live sports again and something to take their minds off of all the uncertainty that surrounds this pandemic.

Golf has also been huge in charitable donations to those who have needed help the most during these times.

Before the PGA returned the teams of Rory Mcllroy - Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler - Mathew Wolff had a charitable skins match hosted at Seminole in Florida. The TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match was able to raise 5.5 million dollars which was then spread between different organizations doing work to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

But the cherry on the cake was a week after when 4 of the biggest names in sports got together to play their charitable match.

Tiger Woods - Payton Manning, Tom Brady - Phil Mickelson. No that’s not a typo, 4 of the G.O.A.T. got together at Medalist Golf Club in Home Sound, Florida to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Although the weather didn’t cooperate at times the match was everything you would hope for. The match reviled what fun match-ups can look like, and to make it even better the players were mic-ed up. But the most important part was that the match ended up raising more than 20 million dollars.

So golf to the rescue? To keep it short and sweet, Yes.