I know what you are thinking. The great Tiger Woods, the world’s greatest golfer, is not a great athlete? You are probably confused, shocked, dumbfounded. That does not change the glaring truth in front of all of us. Tiger Woods at best is a mediocre athlete.

There is one thing that separates the greatest athletes of all time. Ronaldo, Ruth, Joey Chestnut, Lebron, and Angel Reese all have one thing in common. They all play sports. Golf is not a sport. Why we pretend like it truly baffles me. I love to golf. Going out with your buddies, throwing back a couple of cold ones, smoking a cigar, and shooting the shit with your buddies is a great time. Really is one of life’s great pleasures. But it is just a drinking activity. It is a reason to throw back a couple of beers. A great excuse to get away from your wife? You spend 80% of the time sitting in a cart, 5% hitting a ball, and 15% confused on why you suck. A great time? Yes. A sport? No.

I already hear simple-minded individuals rebuttal. You only say this Andrew because you suck. Correct, I do suck. I am awful. I am also awful at knitting. I do not see people putting Hazel Tindall in the conversation for the greatest athlete ever. Why? She is the GOAT of knitting. Nobody matches 262 knitted stitches in 3 minutes. Just like Tiger, her resume is very impressive. They are both great at their respective hobbies. Both are exceptional. Neither is an athlete.

What is an athlete? That is crucial to understand. An athlete is a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. Pretty clear cut. Golf does not require physical strength, agility, or stamina. Let’s break it down. John Daly is a Pro. He has the stamina and agility of the Paddington Bear. In golf you don’t need strength. You could lift less than your crippled Grandmother and still hit the ball a long way. According to the definition of an athlete, golfers are not athletes.

Since golfers are not athletes, Tiger Woods should not even be in the conversation as one of the greatest athletes of all time.