Golf Vs Baseball – Which Sport Is More Popular And Which One Should You Take Up?

Golf Vs Baseball – Which Sport Is More Popular And Which One Should You Take Up?

Golf and baseball are two of the most popular and oldest sports in America.

Both sports reward hard work, training and commitment. And while there is some crossover skill-wise between these two sports, they are still very different.

Whether you’re looking for a way to get exercise or simply want to have some fun, there are some things to think about before taking up either of these sports. In the following article, we will be breaking down some of the key differences between baseball and golf and pointing out important considerations to  make before going all-in on one of them.

Overview of Golf And Baseball

At their most basic form, golf and baseball share a similar concept.

Golf is a club and ball sport while baseball is a bat and ball sport. Both sports require the player (at some point) to strike a ball with either a club or bat as far as they can and as accurately as they can.

However, baseball is a team sport that is usually played with 9 players to a team. Golf can be played solo or with friends. The object of golf is to get your ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. The object of baseball is to score more runs (players making it around the bases to home plate) than the other team.

The origins of modern golf can be traced back to 15th century Scotland. Modern baseball has its roots in 18th century England. In both cases, the game was brought to the Americas where they both gained immense popularity.

Today, there are professional golf and baseball leagues around the world. Baseball games and golf tournaments are broadcasted nationally and internationally. Both sports have rabid fan bases that are extremely passionate about each sport. So which one would be better to actually play yourself?

Main Skills Required for Baseball

The main thing to consider about baseball is that unlike golf, baseball has many positions.

And while you can play multiple positions at the casual or even amateur level,  you will more or less be relegated to a few positions.

So depending on which position you play, different skills are required. But no matter what position you play in baseball, you will certainly be batting at some point. Batting takes solid eye-hand coordination. It takes balance, strength and discernment.

That last one can be tricky. Keep in mind that it’s the pitcher’s job to strike you out or get you to swing for and miss the ball.  So it’s up to the batter to only swing at good pitches that are likely to result in RBI’s (Runs Batted In).

Baseball also takes a bit more athleticism and cardio training than golf. For example, when you’re playing defense you will either be playing a base or fielding. Both positions will require some intensive running and throwing at times.

Main Skills Required for Golf

Like baseball, golf takes really sharp eye-hand coordination.

You will be responsible for advancing the ball down the course so you alone will be taking all your shots. Other key skills to have for golf include grip, aim, stance and swing.

For many people, it’s harder to hit a golf ball than it is to hit a baseball. For one thing, a golf ball is smaller than a baseball. Golf clubs are also smaller than baseball bats. And most of the time, you will be hitting the ball off the ground.

Golf Swing Vs Baseball Swing

A golf swing and baseball swing occur at different angles. With golf, you will be angling the club downward at an almost 45 degree angle. With baseball, the ideal situation is one where you can swing the bat so that it creates a 90 degree angle with your upright body and make contact with the ball.

Another huge difference is that in golf, the ball will be stationary whereas in baseball, the ball is being thrown towards you. So in baseball, you have to be a lot more reactive than you are with golf.

Still, there are some similarities. Different lies in golf require different clubs which you should adjust your swing to accommodate – just like in baseball where you might have to adjust your swing based on the type of pitch.

And with both sports, the follow through of your swing is very important. Some golfers and baseball players have found success mimicking the swing of the opposite sport.

Which Sport is Harder to Pick Up?

There are different aspects affecting the difficulty of each sport.

The first thing to consider is that golf can be played solo whereas baseball requires a team – team of nine if you want to cover all positions.

Baseball also has many positions whereas in golf, there are no positions. So it may be harder just to get a game going if you want to play baseball.

However, you should also consider the fact that golf is more expensive. Golf clubs can cost more than $1000 and then you have to pay club fees. And then there are periphery costs like professional fittings, caddies, golf carts and accessories that make the game easier to play and keep track of.

Golf can also be played in various ways. For example there is stroke play in which you simply count your strokes and whoever has the lowest stroke count at the end of the round wins. But there are dozens of variants including match play, scramble, alternate shot and scramble.

If you have a group of friends or family ready to go, it may be easier and cheaper to pick up baseball. But if you don’t have a team of nine ready and want to be able to play at a moment’s notice, golf may be easier.

Practice Considerations

Again, there are no positions in golf.

Your sole responsibility as a player is to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. Therefore, it’s a bit easier to actually practice golf than it is to practice baseball.

Golf has the driving range where you can essentially practice using any club. Most driving ranges have practice greens on which you can practice with your putter as well. Baseball has batting cages which are ideal for batting practice; but you don’t get the opportunity to practice fielding, base running or pitching.

Plus, baseball is a team sport so the ideal way to hone your skills is in a team setting. Again, this requires coordination among different players in the team which can be difficult.

Overall, golf is the easiest sport to practice because you can essentially practice whenever you want to without having to worry about other people. However, that does not automatically mean golf is the easier sport to master.

Just like with any sport, your ability will depend on your commitment to practice and training.

Which Sport is Better for Young People?

The answer to this question is surely a matter of opinion.

Some people say that golf is better for teaching young people discipline and focus. Others say that young people can learn the same skills with baseball with the added bonus of athletic training.

Price is again a consideration as well. As a parent, you need to make sure you can afford all the gear, lessons and course fees so that your child can advance in the game of golf. With baseball, there are relatively inexpensive little leagues and school teams with which they can learn the game.

Perhaps the most important consideration though is athletic training. Kids need to expend a lot of energy and baseball is simply a better sport for that. Quite simply, there is no running, diving, sliding or catching in golf. So if you’re looking for a sport that will give your kid good exercise, baseball may be the better option.

Which Sport is Better for Older People?

Physical exertion is a consideration here too; but in the opposite way.

Golf would likely be the better sport for older people for the very fact that it is not athletically demanding. Usually, all you would need to do is walk the length of the course to play a round of golf. And if you have a motorized golf cart, you don’t even need to do that much.

Golf is a much slower-pace sport and there are fewer opportunities for injury than there are with baseball. On top of all that, there are plenty of lightweight club options, executive courses (smaller than full courses) and the option to hire a caddy to carry your clubs and lighten the physical load of golf even more.

Which Sport is Better Overall?

Again, this will be a matter of opinion.

But both sports are rewarding, fun and require a wide range of skills. From mental fortitude to cardio training, you can find it all between these two sports. If you are fiscally and physically capable, the best option may be to simply take up both sports.