Taking the redneck challenge: NASCAR driving vs. golf test
Apparently, some of you redneck NASCAR fans took offense at being called rednecks. (Might want to tell Jeff Foxworthy, he’s made a fortune off getting you folks to buy tapes of his lame redneck humor.) Yet curiously enough none of you NASCAR devotees had any problem with my terming the whole racing thing as athletic an endeavor as cutting your grass with a riding mower.
No need to get your Confederate flags in a bunch however. I’m always ready to take on a challenge and see if I might be wrong. Except when it comes to chiropractors, Michelle Wie holding any clue about winning and geriatric golfers on tour.
Yahoos in tricked up cars though? That’s something that can be considered. So I’m going to get as close as I can to the NASCAR experience and see if it’s even in the same ballpark to the difficulty and skill level required to swing a golf club correctly.
No, I’m not headed to Birmingham or Talladega or Martinsville or any backwards engine-roaring outpost. I have some standards. I’m sticking to somewhere civilized. You know, like Las Vegas.
NASCAR sympathizer Scott Bowles of Las Vegas Golf Adventures challenged me to try out the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. So I’ll see what it’s like to speed around at 150 mph and compare it to the real sheer terror of staring down another par 5 when your last drive when dribble, dribble.
Somehow, I think I’ll be relaxed enough to kick back with a Mai Tai in the stock car harness. But we’ll see. Look for the results in a few weeks at BadGolfer.com.
7 comments
I'll watch Tiger, Phil, and Vijay battle on the links any day; 'necks in stock cars that have nothing stock in them turning left? Forget it.
Remember:
Non-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks
Field:
NASCAR - 40
Golf - 140/@60 on weekend
Fans:
NASCAR - 100,000 +
Golf - 30,000/day
Noise:
Nascar - a given
Golf - Sightest noise can affect your swing(unless you're Tiger).
Location of fans:
NASCAR - in the stands
Golf - feet away
Environment:
Nascar - static position in cramped quarters, hot.
Golf - Walking, open area, hilly, flat.
Conditions:
NASCAR - Hot, smelly (gas & oil), Wind - no affect, Rain - race suspended.
Golf - Sun beating down, rain pouring, windy (last two affect your shot making).
Duration:
NASCAR - 4 hrs (?) - 1 day
Golf - 4 days 5 hrs / day
Concentration:
NASCAR - must stay focused for 4 hr so not to wreck. Golf - smooth swing - hit the ball in the hole.
Strength:
NASCAR - hold on & turn the wheel ?
Golf - walk - hit - walk some more for 4 days. Plus pro/am & practice rounds, warm ups, etc…
Fenese:
NASCAR - quarter turn of the wheel too much & your in the wall or a car, too much gas and your in the rear of the car ahead, too little - loose the race.
Golf - Swing too hard, easy -in the woods, water, sand. Putt the wrong speed and line miss the birdy - loose the match.
Best that can happen:
NASCAR - Win the race
Golf - Win the match
Worst that can happen: NASCAR - Crash, major physical injury, death.
Golf - Loose the match go on to Hooter Tour, be a pro at local club.
My conclusion - both are athletes - both should be respected for their abilities. I have to say that for as much as I like and enjoy Pro golf - NASCAR drivers are brave SOBs!
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