Political Scientists

Playing golf is one of those games that doesn’t have to take up all of your concentration if you don’t want it to. It can be as much of a social gathering sometimes as it is a competitive sport. I bet many interesting subjects have been aired on the local golf course before, where people seem more likely to let their guard down and say exactly what they are thinking about a subject. Subject matters like religion and politics that are often out of bounds at a party or a family dinner table, seem to be allowed on a golf course. For some reason the game of golf doesn’t have to abide by the regular rules, either that or there is just something about it that inspires discussion between people.

Debating politics during a round of golf is a regular occurrence. Even politicians themselves are often seen out on the fairways having informal meetings and discussing recent political events. The golf course is a sort of no mans land, a buffer zone where competing opinions can share common ground. A golf course belongs to no-one, and therefore people feel free to debate what is on their mind without the fear of any repercussions. They are not as controlled as they may be on home soil, and yet not as intimidated as they may be when on someone else’s patch. It really is the perfect even ground for the meeting of minds and opinions.

Playing golf also seems to make people relax more, whether it is because of the nature of the game itself or just the fact that people are surrounded by nature I’m not sure, but it definitely has a noticeable effect. Talking about politics is one of those things that can really only happen when people are relaxed enough to give their opinion freely and in full. Playing a round of golf can take a lot of time, and when you are with a person or a group of people for that long in a more relaxed state than normal, you do have the opportunity to really talk deeply about a subject.

My advise to you would be to leave the golf buggies back at the golfshop. The discussion will be much better if you give yourself the time to walk around the course and enjoy your surroundings. You will have more time together with your companions when each and every one of you has to deal with the hills and your golf trolleys together.

Debating politics during a round of golf can be an eye opening experience. You may hear opinions from your companions that you have never heard from them before. A mixture of a nice golf course with lots of fresh air and sunshine really does seem to open people up, which after all is the number one prerequisite for any real and honest conversation.