07 Apr Political correctness forced upon Garcia

The term political correctness is used to describe language, policies or measures that are intended to avoid offence or disadvantage to members of particular groups in society. Let’s include golfers here. The term has come to refer to avoiding language or behaviour that can be seen as excluding, marginalising or insulting certain individuals or groups of people — even your golfing opponent or partner!

The media, that includes nowadays all the different types of social media, will generally pick up on anything and imply that what has been said was excessive or unwarranted. With all this in mind let’s (as golfers) step back and into Sergio Garcia’s shoes at the WGC-Match Play last week when he missed a putt that nine times out of 10 he would/should have holed. We’ve all been there — and how did we feel?– happy, joyful, ecstatic?

Now add this annoyance to the disbelief that your match play opponent didn’t give you the few inches left — you could perhaps be justified in feeling just a wee bit upset. Let’s think hard about this situation for a moment — how would you feel if your opponent decided to act strictly to the rules and perhaps not to the sportsmanship and spirit that our game should be played. Matt Kuchar could have just waved his hand and said that it was ok, it happens Sergio, don’t worry let’s play on, it’s nothing. But he didn’t, and therefore political correctness was forced upon Sergio in as far as biting his lip when being interviewed afterwards by the media.

Out of Bounds: I’m as healthy as one can be. I have arthritis in both my knees. And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze. My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin. But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in. I get up each morning and dust off my wits. And pick up the paper and read the obits. If my name is missing, I know I’m not dead. So, I have a good breakfast and go back to bed.