This course explores the culture of sports as a human activity through the lens of golf.  What is the passionate attraction of some humans for the sport of golf while others considered it "a good walk spoiled?" Learn about the history of golf, iconic heroes and anti-heroes of the game, golf course architecture, and the challenging practice of teaching and learning of the golf swing.

Case studies of the amazing career of Tiger Woods in the men’s game and the incredible dominance of Asian golfers in the women’s game will be considered . Works of fiction involving golf, from P.G. Wodehouse to John Updike, will be amongst the texts consulted. Both golfers and non-golfers are welcome in the class, and those interested only the art of being an informed spectator at tournaments or on TV will hopefully find this to be a useful orientation.  The course will involve class visits from teaching professionals and club-makers, a round of golf at St. Andrews, Scotland on a personal computer golf simulator, and a real-life early evening field trip and a guided course walk around the Tournament Players Club River Highlands Golf Course in Cromwell, CT, site of the annual PGA tour event, The Travelers Championship.