Columnist Peter Benton: Game’s appeal comes to all shapes and sizes

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004 | 9:26 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

For years, I have frequently wondered exactly why we golfers love this chosen sport of ours, and have tried to figure out just what is the actual charm of the game.

Now I am not saying what I have figured out is correct for everyone, but it could possibly be part of our fascination.

In spite of the fact that most sports have a "body image" that is a prerequisite for excellence, that is not the case with golf.

One does not have to be tiny and lithe as gymnasts are; ultra-tall with reflexes like a snake as basketballers are; or built like a Mack truck as some footballers are.

But then again we can be all of the above and as proof of this statement check out the following: Welshman Ian Woosnam is but 5 feet, 5 inches. Phil Blackmar, now looking forward to the Champions tour, is 6-7. Willie Wood is but 140 pounds, and of course the Walrus, Craig Stadler, and his 230 pound-plus weight are just some who come to mind.

We must not forget the fairer sex here, as we have Laura Davies, who not only loves golf but loves life as well and is not one bit perturbed about her size. Then there's Letta Lindley who can be but 5 feet and possibly, if wet, 90 pounds, plus of course the many petitely built youngsters now playing the tour who are as cute as buttons and possess not an ounce of fear.

One thing all these people have in common is their success as professionals in the same sport -- our sport. They are young and old and possess a huge variety of attributes: height, weight, personality, shape, flexibility and strength.

Another thing successful golfers appear to have is the "key." Exactly what the "key" is could very well be anybody's guess but maybe some of the features are learned through guidance and experience while others, possibly, could be personality based.

They are features that unite the world of sporting champions from around the world: physical and mental application, a strong work ethic, confidence, preparedness, determination and of course superb stroke-making skills.

It is such folk who know what they are capable of and how to achieve when the pressure is on. The majority of those features are (apart from the superb shot-making), I believe, within the average amateur golfer's control.

There is absolutely no doubt that we could all prepare better, i.e. warming up before play, having decent equipment, knowing -- and abiding by -- the rules, along with maintaining reasonable physical condition.

So what exactly is the message here?

If you know your attributes and strengths, and you're prepared to tackle any weaknesses while maintaining your strengths, you should (hopefully) gain confidence and knowledge that you can achieve in golf. You can be the best that you can be. We must not, however, have illusions that we can all be champions. Quite obviously that can never be.

With golf, because age and the odd physical problems are not necessarily barriers, this game for us amateurs has that distinct charm that I alluded to earlier.