PGA Championship

As I sit here watching the PGA Championship, I'm struck by the fact that golfers are extremely humble athletes, at least in public. Excessive celebration is rare, players are self-effacing and quick to point out flaws in their game or poor shots from the previous round. Golfers are an exception to the rule that athletes are always thanking God for victories. When a player is four or five over, he has no one to blame but himself. I also think golfers have much more respect for their sport and its officials than other athletes; this probably stems from golfers calling their own fouls, enforcing the rules themselves. The rules of golf are sacred, every golfer understands this. From the first day a young golfer picks up a club, he learns both official and unofficial rules which are enforced by sanctions, both official and unofficial. If a player hits a ball in a tough yet playable spot, he cannot kick the ball without incurring a serious penalty. If a player talks during another's backswing, he likely won't be invited to play again. Essentially, being a golfer means bringing an honorable and respectful attitude to the course which is less than can be said for other sports where the goal is winning at all costs.