Why golf is the epitome of capitalism

By Armen Alchian.

A puzzle has been solved. Despite their intense interest in sports, no golf courses exist in the Socialist-Communist bloc. Why is golf solely in capitalist societies? Because it is not merely a sport. It is an activity, a lifestyle, a behavior, a manifestation of the essential human spirit. Golf's ethic, principles, rules and procedures of play are totally capitalistic. They are antithetical to socialism. Golf requires self-reliance, independence, responsibility, integrity and trust. No extenuation is granted misfortune, mistake or incompetence. No second change. Like life, it is often unfair and unjust, with uninsurable risks. More than any other sport, golf exploits the whole capitalist spirit. . . .

Even in the beginning of golf we have evidence. Who but the self-reliant individualist Scots, the progenitors of Adam Smith, could create a game so congenial to the capitalist society and mentality. And at this end of history, who have become the most recent and avid devotees of golf? The Japanese and nationalist Chinese. Is more evidence required to demonstrate that golf is the spirit of capitalism?

Link via King Banaian at SCSU Scholars.

Comments

[chris]

Golf in North Korea! The caddies take naps bc of the gaps between tee times.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/activities/golf/story.html?id=1f61f09b-ea15-4d42-94e7-c5865f5dbf7f

[js]

Mulligan- Wikipedia

"In golf, a mulligan is a retaken shot, usually due to a previously errant one. Like gimmes, mulligans are strictly prohibited in the official rules of the game, but are commonplace in social golf. Traditionally, mulligans are allowed only on the first tee shot (usually one per round) and are not just taken at any time of the golfer's choosing. Some golfers play with the "rolling mulligan" rule: if the mulligan shot is no improvement over the original shot, then the golfer is allowed to take the penalty and retain the mulligan-- thus the "roll." It is sometimes called a "Finnegan" when the second shot is worse than the first. Golf tournaments held for charity may even sell mulligans to collect more money for the charity."

Some social golf games also allow one mulligan per nine holes (thus two for a round of 18).[3]

[addicted]

Or because its an extermely expensive sport that uses up huge resources for a few people to enjoy?

Thats why the Chinese started liking it. Because its only now that they can afford it...

Oh, and you can compete at the highest levels while chugging a beer, unlike ANY OTHER sport in the world.

[Glover]

Unfortunately this is wrong. Golf courses do indeed exist in the "Socialist-Communist Bloc":

http://www.worldgolf.com/column/golf-in-central-and-eastern-europe-growing-slowly-5805.htm

Also, on the theory side, let's not forget a good scramble:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramble_%28golf%29#Team_play

[Jody]

Oh, and you can compete at the highest levels while chugging a beer, unlike ANY OTHER sport in the world.

Are fishing and bowling not sports?

[Allan]

Jody,

What about croquet?

[The Other Eric]

Does this explain why Pres. Clinton is such an awful cheat at golf? He's widely recognized as a stroke-miscounting, mulligan-taking, ball-moving, honors-breaking golfer.

[Glen]

I'm not golfer, but doesn't golf have a regular practice of establishing handicaps in order to even the playing field among players of different strengths?

[mke]

Umm. because wrestling is extremely popular in Russia and Iran, but that is totally not an individualistic sport that requires self-reliance independence and responsibility.

[Benny Lava]

Or perhaps it is because golf was the sport of the bourgeois, who fenced off access to golf from the proletariat via "clubs" that restrict membership from undesirables. Historically golf clubs refused access to minorities. Even today, golf clubs refuse membership to undesirables.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/21/style/it-s-still-a-man-s-man-s-man-s-world.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/G/Golf&pagewanted=all

Is that the embodiment of capitalism? I daresay the author of this post is either ignorant of capitalism, or ignorant of golf. Possibly both.