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WOODLANDS, TX – MAY 04: Jack Nicklaus (L) and Arnold Palmer walk to the third green during the Greats of Golf exhibition at the Insperity Championship at the Woodlands Country Club on May 4, 2013 in Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
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WOODLANDS, TX – MAY 04: Jack Nicklaus (L) and Arnold Palmer walk to the third green during the Greats of Golf exhibition at the Insperity Championship at the Woodlands Country Club on May 4, 2013 in Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Golf is often considered more of a leisure activity than a sport. Indeed, numerous athletes from other sports take up the game after retiring, which prevails this belief. However, golf fans have been at will to defend the game and its uniqueness as a sport. The unity was further tested in a recent post that showed two PGA Tour legends smoking at a golf course.
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Netizens react to legends smoking on the golf course
It all started when a Twitter page named ‘Super 70s Sports’ decided to evoke some nostalgia for long-standing golf followers. A reminiscent picture of golf legends, Jack Nicklaus and the late Arnold Palmer, standing next to each other on the course was heart-warming for any golf fan.
But apparently, the two legends were smoking cigars on the course, which had been a regular sight in those days. The tweet was captioned with the assertion that golfers were athletes too. “Golfers aren’t athletes, huh? Ok, let’s see you smoke a dart and then stick a 4-iron eight feet from the pin,” the caption read.
Golfers aren’t athletes, huh? Ok, let’s see you smoke a dart and then stick a 4-iron eight feet from the pin. pic.twitter.com/IoO5Y8GKyn
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) November 17, 2022
The tweet led to many commentating on how the game had evolved over the years. The smoking habits on the course have been curbed, with golfers now expected to be in top shape in the era of fitness.
The replies to the tweet backed the caption, stating those golfers would win single-handedly in the present era. Many brought along the example of John Daly, who tore up the distance charts in the early 2000s with his iconic swing.
Ahhh…but can golfers stick it 8 feet from the pin WHILE smoking?
Seems the answer is yes… pic.twitter.com/RfEwr72O7y
— Tim Hacala 🇺🇸 (@timhacala) November 17, 2022
— Donnie Cameron (@donniecameron63) November 17, 2022
with this ball pic.twitter.com/6eReD4TNRq
— MagnumDawg (@MagnumDawg51) November 17, 2022
I will never forget the Sunday morning that I walked through the living room and heard the announcer say, “His game has really gone down hill since he quit smoking.”
— Mary Kate Roach (@MaryKateRoach) November 17, 2022
— TG (@TGcanes) November 17, 2022
Babe Ruth, smoking a cigar signed an autograph for a little boy.
His mom told him that he was setting a bad example because athletes shouldn't smoke.
He told the mother, "Ma'am, I'm not an athlete. I'm a baseball player."
— Nunya Bidness (@GhostOfNunya) November 17, 2022
Performance enhancing for golf.
— Brian DellaTorre (@BrianDellaTorre) November 17, 2022
I've concluded that athletes today in all sports — baseball, football, basketball, golf — are in much better shape and better trained than when I grew up in the 60s and 70s. But I don't think the sports are any better or more fun to watch.
— Al Wasser (@AlWasser1) November 17, 2022
Craziest thing. I get the healthy, in shape golfers now. But the game translates across the last 60 years? Same game. Diff equipment. Tiger would kill in the 60s. Jack now. Unlike most sports. Imo.
— Circus Carny (@circuscarny1) November 17, 2022
Daly was susceptible to drinking and smoking on the course throughout his career, but even that sight has reduced with the golfer edging towards hitting 60. But his actions, coupled with performances that earned him two major championships, made him a household name.
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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Arnold Palmer hits out a bunker during the Par 3 Contest at the 2008 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2008 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for Golfweek)
Is smoking banned from the PGA Tour?
As of today, there is no restriction for a golfer to cease his/her yearning for a smoke between rounds. There have been multiple instances of players smoking their way to victory in recent times. Nicolas Colsaerts’ victory at the Open de France in Le Golf National was much talked about due to his smoking antics that were unavoidable on camera.
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But should the PGA put an official end to the harmful addiction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
Watch This Story – John Daly Once Had a Casual Response After Making a Bold Move Against a Golf Writer
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