by H D McCurdy
Boxing produces millionaires,shootong at targets is hardly a sport and ditto for horse-riding to many of us. Rowing, fencing, field hockey engage few compared to baseball or softball. True softball is a pale reflection of the former. All of them taken together are reductio ad absurdem for your argument against the inclusion of golf. As others have suggested, state a REASONABLR premise and argue from that not from your prejudices or false or immature premises.

by JML
The reason golf is not an Olympic sport is because the Olympics are all about athletic endeavors. Golf just ain't one. All sports are not athletics!!!

by H D McCurdy
JML surely is a joke. How many time has Tiger Woods been named athlete of the year? Are not athletes involved in sport?

by Susie
While I agree with you professional golf has no place in the Olympics the way you describe it, I would enjoy seeing the sport added to the Olympic mix. Not sure how long you've been writing this column, but dig deeper next time. Anyone can master the obvious. I think it would actually be quite compelling to watch Tiger compete for a gold medal; money is not the point. Sure he has a bajillion dollars, but that is not a strike against him as a competitor. He has to put the ball in the hole like everyone else - wouldn't it be neat if each putt was worth nothing more than the difference between gold and silver? If you put the TV on mute, you might actually enjoy watching it unfold. In between shots, turn it back up for the "hard luck" stories so typical of Olympic coverage - imagine profiles on Daly's diet coke (& J.D.) addiction, Corey Pavin & Brad Faxon battling the short-knocker blues, why Furyk really swings that way...I think Costas would have a field day. By the way, softball is already in the Olympics - your country took the gold in 2004.

by Ian Gollert
Do your research is right!!! Basketball wasn't added to the Olympics in 1992, it's been around since 1936.
I'm sick of reading columns that seem like they were written on the back of a napkin between breakfast and brunch. If you are going to write, then make it accurate and thought provoking....not just something that you've pounded into your Blackberry in over a coffee. You also sound like a whiner.

by Paulette
Have you ever seen a fast pitch softball game? Do your homework before you condemn a great team sport to the "non-sport" category. I'm an avid golfer and have often commented on how difficult the game is - after all, the ball is just sitting in the grass, it should be easy to hit; it's not like you have to try to hit a golf ball while it's dropping or rising at 50mph!

by Saluki Steve
Do your research. Basketball has been around much longer than the Dream Team. And, why not add golf? it's a sport. I think it would be cool to watch. Baseball belongs, too.

by Former softball player and golfer
How your article made it to my Inbox is beyond my comprehension. Your reasoning is seriously flawed (read wrong) for both golf and softball. The others who have commented have already expressed what needed to be said. The next thing I need to do is unsubscribe to this site. If this is the best you guys at WorldGolf.com can come up with, you don't deserve to waste my time any further.

by Andy
I agree golf would be a mistake in the Olympics. What I don't agree with is your attitude and commentary regarding the "millionaire golfers" and "pampered pros" having to live like "real people". What are you talking about???
They are "real people". They just have more money than you. Tell me, at what dollar amount do you become not real?
Ask Ernie Els if his life is "real". Maybe you need to have a chat with his son that has autism.

by Mac50
First of all, golf would be great as an all amateur event, but that will never happen. It would be a travesty with PGA players participating. Secondly, please, if you're going to be a writer, try to be somewhat informed. Especially in the sports arena so to speak. Basketball wasn't added to the Olympics when the NBA players entered the scene with MJ and the Dream Team. Basketball has been a part of the Olympics since 1936, and for our part (US)it was always amateur. Thirdly, what the heck do you think they're thinking of adding?! Beer league softball? They're talking about women's fastpitch and like a previous response said, there's no way you would stand a chance standing in against even some of the mediocre pitchers in women's college softball. Come on, at least do a good job of faking like you know what you're talking about!