I have heard this response for almost all of my six season of coaching golf. Every season I get golfers who have never picked up a club, so after I show them how to grip the thing, I asked them to swing it like they are hitting a pitched baseball. The title of this thread is almost always the response I get! I am talking never. If I was able to transport myself back to the 1950’s,60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and even as recent as the 90’s, I doubt I would hear this as much as I do. So what the hell happened?
In my un-humble opinion, I am going with video games and the internet as the culprits. As for video games? I have played them since Pong first came onto the scene. Played them through college, and even to this day, I play Tiger Woods’s golf on the Play Station. Thing is, it does not take the place of my physical activities. I had one player a few years back actually tell me he worked on his golf game all weekend long. I was thinking he spent hours at the driving range grinding away. Nope, he told me he played Wii golf! As for the Inter-Net? It is as addictive as any drug and it is virtually free. Kids, as well as adults, are able to create a universe where they are god. Almost any behavior is acceptable, and there is virtually no accountability for any actions. Like being a kid sans parents. So why would kids want to leave their insulated domain and venture into the real world of physical activity?
Don’t know if I have an answer to this. I know when I was a kid I would take a hand full of golf balls and hit them from the back yard to the furthest fence post fo our three acre farm. I would walk to them with my dog Mandy, and hit them back. I would repeat this for hours, five to seven days a week during the summer. I would also spend hours a day bouncing a tennis ball off of the water-pump house to sharpen my defensive skills for baseball.
I guess for a kid who has never swung a bat, the answer is “Well it is about time you tried it.” Of course, with me, they are swinging a golf club. I guess they gotta put down the controller, or mouse and start
theconservativehillbilly 
Feb 21, 2013 @ 09:32:18
Can’t hand ya beer, Hillbilly but I do think baseball and golf are more of a thinking man’s game and therefore don’t find as much favor these days among young folk. I’m quite amazed at so many people who have never swung a baseball bat!!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 09:45:22
Great question! I think they might not realize how much fun it is, even though it is extremely hard to do..both hitting a baseball or golf ball. Failure is involved.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:42:26
Reblogged this on DeborahBidwell's Blog and commented:
thats the problem now days, you have all these “kids” that dont experience the world except through a screen, if it didnt happen on line or on a game site they dont know what it is. it is unfortunate, but for those of us that used the time away from games as a punishment we have kids that do know what the world is, and they are still at a disadvantage due to lack of skills outside the computer/game world.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:51:21
Comin’ up on 64 but can still hit that softball. If fence 350 feet or less that ball is gone ! Can send it further if necessary.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:55:18
That is awesome Carl. I was just saying the same thing to a person yesterday. 47 and still hit any type of ball the same distances as I did 20 years ago. I take it you are still playing?
Feb 21, 2013 @ 15:25:55
Good luck and I wish y’all well. 47 and coming up on 64! But unit reminds you, what a difference a day makes. Count your blessings daily. Call me back when you 71 with your physical feats. I first human to go over Viagra Falls without condiment, Sandra Fluke dared me! 🙂
Feb 21, 2013 @ 15:53:42
VIAGRA FALLS?! Instant classic line….I am using it. Just remember what Jack LaLane was doing at 70,80, and 90!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 17:54:13
Yeah, I remember. And Jack Palance was doing one armed push ups at the Emmys or the Oscars about that long. Things work for some a long long time. Y’all keep it up now! I was only worried some weeks ago when thumb and index finger wouldn’t bend.
Iittle osteolinkletter or something doctor called it. Better now and pick my nose again.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 22:25:33
We don’t even really do baseball in SA, and even I’ve swung a bat or two in my day 😉
But that’s just it – my day. 30 odd years ago you had no real choice but to occupy your time with all manner of things, none of which included a TV in any way, shape or form.
Actually sad for the poor kids these days – they’re missing more than they’ve gained.