Why do rich people play goft? Why not play basketball?

Golfing you go to scenic locations and get hammered with your friends. Basketball is like the exact opposite - you have to run around and get your HR up with no alcohol. 

try playing basketball when you're a 60 yr old exec with a gut

Have you ever seen a tipsy rich guy play golf? Hard to really tell since most people aren't that good at it.

Have you seen a drunk tipsy guy try to cross over someone in basketball? It's hilarious. They usually trip themselves up. I've seen this happen and spat out my drink while laughing. Guy was belligerently drunk at some party I went to and he drove up in a Ferrari with his wife/kids.

In all seriousness, golf is slower pace and easier to have a full conversation in between swings. Can't say the same about basketball.

Business gets done on the golf course not the basketball court.

Golf is just better, and harder. I am guessing you have never played? And I wouldn't exactly say golf is a luxury sport, a complete set of clubs can cost around $100 (used) and last years. 

The true answer is the majority of people (75%+) , even across social classes and professions, are just brainless followers. Upper middle class individuals arent different.

- Go golfing

- Get a Traeger or a Green Egg

- Get a YETI cooler

- Start a nice bourbon collection

- Get excited about the Masters

- Watch the same sports, entertainment, etc.

Do some people genuinely enjoy this stuff? Eh, sure. But most people just blindly follow because that's what the social norm is and never really stop and ask themselves what they enjoy or want from life. Either they lack the self awareness to do so or the intellectual bravery to question themselves a bit.

So to answer you question golf sucks 

Golf isn't considered luxury in all parts of the world, it is NOT considered posh in the UK at all. I have mates from all walks of life who play golf. Whether it is an interesting "sport" or not, is up to each individual.

Also, rich people really don't all focus on golf - I have friends who go sailing, power boating, collect cars, drive on a race track, collect stuff nobody needs, travel the world, etc... there is a lot you could declare a luxury and people certainly don't all just golf all day.

It’s all about long range projectile. Somehow guys just bond over seeing a ball fly really far and hit a small target that is hard to hit. Suspect it goes back to hunting & gathering days without the gore.

It's all fun and games until you come off a screen and posterize your MD.

I think there's a simpler explanation... You have a 4 Hour window to shmooze while playing. Other sports don't give you that luxury. 

Golf, my favorite drinking game.  

One of these sports poses risk of injury and pretty difficult to play in old age and was only invested in the last century….

The other requires far less effort, involves scenic locations, alcohol, golf carts, and time to have good conversation with friends. Not to mention the long historical pedigree associated with it and thousands of prestigious clubs with well known members. Hmmm I wonder

I’ve seen many people get injured from playing a pickup game of basketball in the gym. Golf doesn’t carry that risk. 

Grew up playing soccer.. still play in a coed league.. and I recently took up golf (about 3 years ago). If I had to choose one, I'd take golf 10/10 and wish I played growing up. Here are a few reasons why:
- euphoria: hitting an iron pure on a tough shot landing right by the pin is one of the best feelings in sports. I grew up playing soccer (keeper) and still play in a coed league.. apart from really great saves, hitting shots pure is a better feeling.. and they happen a lot more frequently 
- social aspects: There's a reason deals are made on the golf course and not on the soccer pitch or in the arena. It's easy to hold a conversation and build real relationships on the course.. not to mention golf is a chill game you can play while hammered, my buddy shot 1 or 2 over last week after 2 tall cans and 5 12 oz's. Not crazy impressive... but to be able to compete while drinking.. it's nice. 
- progression: unlike other sports where it can be difficult to track your specific stats.. in golf you're scored (an punished or rewarded) for every shot. Slice, fade, draw, straight up shank whatever... it's easy to keep track of how you're playing and see real improvement over time. For the competitive folks.. this can be a really good or really unhealthy thing once the addiction begins
- limitations: golf is a sport you can play lifelong across generations. I've once played in a 4 some with a kid, his dad, and his grandpa. That's pretty neat and there aren't many other sports where this is feasible in a competitive environment.. and because everyone has their own handicap... it really can be competitive. 

IMO.. greatest sport out there.. just sucks it can take a while to get good enough it's fun and the costs can make it a little prohibitive. 

Rich people are old

I can tell you’re not a prestigious person.

this fucking dude makes me laugh so fucking hard with these posts please PLEASE never stop

I don't think it's about rich vs. poor here. Golf is a sport that allows you to be competitive with minimal exercise (relative to other physically-strenuous sports such as basketball, squash, football, field hockey etc.). I very much doubt that people who pick any of these sports at early ages (pre-18) do so because it is considered an "elite" sport. It might be due to some acquired interest from watching it on TV, or somebody in their family getting them to play it. Who decided that "golf" is a business sport is beyond me. Ask them. You play what you're good at or have an interest in.  
 

Tennis and Golf. I love both and take the time to play both. They both provide amazing networking opportunities. You can spend more time on the courts and on the golf course pitching and talking relatively to a coffee shop.

Am I the only 30 - 40 year old on this website that isn't a clone?

There would be too many BSDs on the court and CXOs and MDs don't wear jockstraps.

Nobody wants to see that.  

Because wealthy people are generally older, and basketball isn't kind to a 65 year old man's knees.

Also, while playing golf can be inexpensive (clubs aren't crazy expensive for something not top of the line, and municipal courses aren't either), really good courses and clubs cost tens of thousands of dollars to join and thousands to stay a member of, which is a level of disposable income most people don't reach.  And that is without talking about the real elite courses like Shinnecock or Augusta or Kiawah - six or seven figures to join, if they even let you.  Bill Clinton was on the wait list for Winged Foot for years!

What are some good gyms with indoor basketball courts that have 5v5's going in NYC? Or good outdoor courts?