Quote:
Originally Posted by rustyp
Why is it in football the fans shout at the top of their lungs either to encourage their team or make it difficult for the opposing team player to hear the play call. This is accepted etiquette. In the sport of golf the fans are expected to hold their breath until "premadonna" player strikes the ball then one can shout "in the hole". Who gets to make up these so called rules of etiquette ?
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Football, baseball, tennis and many others are what are called reactive sports. Golf is a proactive sport. You'll find that fans are quiet when bowlers and billiard players play and while tennis players are serving. Those sports require a different type of concentration that reactive sports.
An exception is when basketball players are shooting foul shots. In that case it's team again team and the fans of the opposing team are trying to distract the player. That has become acceptable in basketball.
In golf, there are no teams. A certain behavior of both players and fans has become acceptable. From the beginning, golf was a gentleman's game. You never root against your opponent. If you lose, you thank your opponent for the competition and shake hands.
There is also a difference when there is a constant noise such as in a football game. if you play golf next to a busy highway, that noise wouldn't be bothersome. Someone suddenly yelling as you're trying to make a four foot birdie put is distracting.
Anyone that has played golf for any length of time has come to expect certain behaviors from others on the course. If you haven't played golf, you may not understand this but golf is a game with a long history and traditions. Some people who are learning the game don't understand or don't care. But if you don't care, then you simply don't care about other people.
By the way, I'm no prima donna but it would disturb me if someone walked behind me as I was starting my swing or if I were trying to make a four foot birdie putt. This code of etiquette applies to everyone, not just tour players.