What golf and the NFL have in common

Golf and football may be two of the most popular sports in the US, but most people would consider them to be completely different in every way. Golf is a sport for individuals, played out usually over the course of four days in a relatively picturesque scenario. Football, on the other hand, is an explosive team sport that technically lasts for one hour, played in huge arenas.

Yet, the two sports have a lot in common. For starters, both are keenly followed not just by fans but by sports bettors, looking for the best Majors odds or the latest NFL play props betting markets. More importantly, the very best golfers share many traits with the very best NFL players.

Technique

Both sports are highly technical. Of course, there are techniques in all sports, and honing your technique can be the difference between success and failure. But few sports require as much precision as football and golf. For a golfer, one slight change in a swing can be the difference between making the green or finding the sand. And an NFL quarterback is required to fling a football up to 60 yards downfield into the arms of a wide receiver while avoiding onrushing defenders intent on flattening him.

Concentration

Although the physical demands of the two sports are different, both require the professional to attain high levels of fitness, specifically endurance. Golfers need to concentrate on every shot at every hole for four days in a row. While in the NFL, if you switch off for a second, you could cost your team a touchdown. Although an NFL game may technically last an hour, in reality, this can mean being ‘on duty’ for three hours or more, and being required to deliver instantly when called upon, no matter how tired or drained you may be.

Quarterback set up

When a quarterback takes a snap under center there is a lot in common between his position and the set up for a golf shot. In this position, with his knees bent and his arms away from his body, he gives himself the freedom he needs to make a powerful move. According to some golf coaches, this is actually theperfect position for a golfer to mimic: giving themselves plenty of room to make a full and powerful swing to maximize their distance and strength.

Lining up inside 

An NFL kicker may not be able to kick the ball as far as a golf drive, but there is a fascinating parallel between the two sports in the way that kicks and shots are lined up. As a kicker stands ready to kick, they are usually offset from the ball. As they approach, they do so from the inside, swinging their leg on an inside out trajectory. This coincidentally is similar to the ideal path for the clubhead when a player is swinging at the golf ball, helping to increase a swing’s distance and power.

Support

To hit a golf ball as far as they can, golfers need to be able to maximize the power and momentum of their swing. In a similar way, quarterbacks need to generate the maximum possible power from their throw.

When a quarterback throws the ball, his right or left arm will usually be in a familiar L shape, supporting the ball and winding up all his strength, so that when it is unleashed, he can use speed and leverage to throw the ball downfield quickly and accurately. In the same way, when a golfer’s swing reaches the top, his arm is bent in a similar fashion and the swing and follow through are powered by that initial motion, supported by the drawn back bent arms.

Balance and poise 

Speed and power may be the main qualities you associate with the NFL, but balance is very important for most positions on the field. Being able to remain on your feet as long as you can despite tackles, changes of angle and a hundred other distractions, can make the difference between success and failure.

Watching NFL players lining up before the snap reveals how they prepare themselves to explode with power and purpose. Linebackers, for example, will be on the balls of their feet, knees bent, perfectly balanced and able to react to any eventuality. And balance is the key to a good golf swing, maintaining the strong central line through the body so that all the effort of the swing works with maximum efficiency.