Here’s our cartoon for the weekend. It’s from Family Circus, dated June 4, 2005.
Family Circus, June 4, 2005
Why don’t they play in their bare feet?
Maybe it’s a form of cheating, in that the better proprioception conveys itself to the whole body.
But it’s more likely because golf can be a bit snobby, and bare feet just don’t fit the image they want to portray. As I wrote in Colorful Characters: Sam Snead, Sam Snead grew up golfing barefoot. But just trying to do it for a bit at a practice round at the Masters? Here’s what he wrote:
The only time I ever played barefoot, except when I was a kid or had the excuse of being in the water, was during a practice round before the Masters tournament one year. There was an argument among some sportswriters about whether anybody could play golf in bare feet. So I played two holes barefoot and birdied them both.
From the roar that went up you’d have thought I had burned down the clubhouse. Some people said it was undignified, even in a practice round, and that I’d disgraced the ancient game. I put my shoes back on, figuring I better keep the peace.
These days one might also be concerned about all the chemicals that golf courses use. Quite frankly, I’m not sure what spending too much time walking barefoot on them might do.
But I’m not that concerned about it. When the Octagon has its Open Houses (located on the grounds of the Moundbuilders Country Club) I walk all over the place barefooted.
I remember walking on treated grass once when I was a kid. My feet were itchy for a while afterward. I never noticed getting this reaction as an adult, but I do avoid walking on grass that has been recently treated.