Difference between golf and sailing

[Concerto]

An unusual article under the title of "Difference between golf and sailing" has some got me thinking about how average golfers could never play against the professional players, whereas amateur sailors can race against top flight sailors in some races. Are we just very lucky in being such an equal opportunities sport where even women can compete with men.

Difference between golf and sailing >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com)

 

[ylop]

I’m no golf expert, but are Open Events not exactly that - anyone can enter and work their way through, it’s just that the pro’s get to jump a few rounds?

I doubt that any plucky amateur sailor is really competing on a level playing field with pros just as nobody is turning up at the open in their 15 yr old Astra with the clubs they play on the local municipal course and expecting to be on the podium.

we are finally seeing some recognition that women can sail well too, but there are some pretty good women golfers. I think you are kidding yourself though if you think sailing is an equal ops sport. The demographics are very male, pale, stale. Not many kids on free school meals will be sailing even in dinghies.

 

[DJE]

Not many kids on free school meals will be sailing even in dinghies.

But some are working to correct that.

 

[SaltyC]

But some are working to correct that.

Unfortunately I feel the lack of 'disadvantaged' children participating is more due to a perception of it being a rich mans sport and a lack of knowledge of what is available locally - particularly inland where the lack of understanding is probably lower than on the coast. Scaramouche has shown what can be achieved by a committed teacher, school and local support.

At grass roots dinghy level it can be good value on pay and play, Sea Scouts / Sea Cadets and many club levels. The problems start when the children take to sailing and the very tired Mirror starts to need new go faster bits.

On the negative side, is it fair to introduce children to a sport that is addictive, will take over their life and ensure they are permanently bankrupt?

 

[Stemar]

The stereotypical inner city kid from a single parent family has all the odds stacked against them, not just the sailing ones, but if one does get the opportunity and shows talent and determination, with a modicum of luck, they'll find a sponsor, just like with other sports.

Skippering a cruising yacht does take a fair bit of spare cash, even if it's only a tired Sonata but, again, for racing, even for the cash poor, there'll always be a crew place, even if it's only in club races to start with. Talent and determination will take you on up.

 

[Sandy]

At least sailing can lead to a good walk, while golf always spoils one.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Already said, in golf just as sailing there is a handicap system that allows players / sailors or correctly boats to compete against each other, both sports have both open and restricted categories and events and similarly their is a huge gulf between amateurs and professionals in both sports but the opportunity is there if you wish to try.
I as a one time single figure handicap golfer and perhaps my brother as a -1 county golfer could not compete consistently ( perhaps on a golden day we could if the pro was having an off day) against a professional, no more than I could successfully sail a 60 foot IMOCA against any professional with or without respective crews.

 

[fredrussell]

I have sometimes thought that the public at large probably lump sailors in with golfers, perceiving us as well to do and, dare I say it, a bit dull.
There’s a lovely bit in the effortlessly suave Rupert Everett’s Desert Island Discs where he describes being forced to sail by his wealthy New England family. He makes it sound like it’s not the cold and wet he’s opposed to, it’s the ‘dullness’ of those that might enjoy such an experience.

 

[boomerangben]

Rowing is similar to sailing - I did the Tideway head of the river race a few times. Raced against the Oxbridge crews and various GB olympiads. I was certainly an amateur!! At the time I think the men and women’s races were on different days. I know they race mixed crews now

 

[Daydream believer]

The difference between golf & sailing is that when the wife has a louzy game of golf, I suffer.
When I have a louzy day's sailing, I suffer
Hang on - isn't that the same thing?
But when things go well on the green, I get steak& chips,with all the trimmings for tea when I come home.
Cannot be all bad

 

[benjenbav]

Already said, in golf just as sailing there is a handicap system that allows players / sailors or correctly boats to compete against each other, both sports have both open and restricted categories and events and similarly their is a huge gulf between amateurs and professionals in both sports but the opportunity is there if you wish to try.
I as a one time single figure handicap golfer and perhaps my brother as a -1 county golfer could not compete consistently ( perhaps on a golden day we could if the pro was having an off day) against a professional, no more than I could successfully sail a 60 foot IMOCA against any professional with or without respective crews.

The lowest golf handicap I reached was 9.6. But, in my experience, the principal difference between golf and sailing is that adventures into the water work less well in the former…

 

[Roberto]

"Difference between golf and sailing"

Just seen the other day

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Just seen the other day
View attachment 153199

Technically wrong as any golfer would tell him not to mention tennis players who often use two and periodically call for new balls because the old ones are well worn.

 

[Wansworth]

Sailing cannot be compared to other “sports”……it’s not in my book a pastime or sport it’s a relationship with nature and yourself…….and can include death.Mountain climbing has some similarities

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Sailing cannot be compared to other “sports”……it’s not in my book a pastime or sport it’s a relationship with nature and yourself…….and can include death.Mountain climbing has some similarities

A limited view as both sports but climbing to a messer extent involve competition against others one of the key elements in defining a sport. It is however not definitive and for many sailing is just as you describe it and some would say that golf is also.

 

[capnsensible]

When it comes to boats, you don't want to get a hole in one.

 

[westhinder]

Golf in Dutch means wave, so for us there is definitely a link between sailing and golf.

 

[Greemble]

Buy a fairly inexpensive set of second-hand clubs and the only expenses are for the occasional set of new golf balls & green fees.

Buy a cheap, second hand boat...

 

[ylop]

A limited view as both sports but climbing to a messer extent involve competition against others one of the key elements in defining a sport. It is however not definitive and for many sailing is just as you describe it and some would say that golf is also.

There’s very much a competitive branch of climbing, and if you open it up to include the nutters who run up hills/mountains for fun then you probably have similar %ages doing mountain sports competitively vs just for pleasure as there are in sailing.

 

[The Q]

Buy a fairly inexpensive set of second-hand clubs and the only expenses are for the occasional set of new golf balls & green fees.

Buy a cheap, second hand boat...

But you don't need to buy a boat, for some years I only crewed, some owners giving me 50% of the helming time during racing.
My must pay costs for those years at today's prices were just club membership £100...
Even today the summer season (6 months) for my keelboat mooring, racing, club membership, insurance, boat maintenance including sails and anti fouling averaged out come to less than £500 a year. I still crew for a friend in the winter.

Here at my club on the norfolk broads We have sailors from age 8 to over 100. We all can be out out on the water at the same time, going for the same trophies. Up to 80 boats from an Oppie to a 45ft broads cruiser , on a mile and a half of 180ft wide river makes for interesting sailing...

Some of our top sailors have been women, male dominated, sort of, but we have a very high percentage of girls in the summer sailing school. Saturday night at the winter season prize giving, two of the girls took home trophies. About a third of the dinghy trophy winners.