--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What makes golf unique is that it's up to…" description: "\"What makes golf unique is that it's up to the integrity of each person to determine whether they want to apply the rules as they're meant, and that's w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg" --- # What makes golf unique is that it's up to the integrity of… ![“What makes golf unique is that it's up to the integrity of each person to determine whether they want to apply the rules as they're meant, and that's why golf has always been known as the gentleman's game.” quote by John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg) > “What makes golf unique is that it's up to the integrity of each person to determine whether they want to apply the rules as they're meant, and that's why golf has always been known as the gentleman's game.” [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Golf emphasizes personal integrity; players must choose to follow the spirit of the rules, defining its reputation as a gentleman’s game. **In simple terms:** Golf is about personal integrity and honesty. Key Takeaway Uphold the rules for true sportsmanship. Themes integrity honesty tradition sportsmanship Mood respectful reflective Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - team sports - business negotiations - personal relationships - leadership training Key Concepts ethical conduct self‑regulation cultural identity Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure personal integrity in competitive environments? - What does “gentleman’s game” mean to you? A Different Perspective Integrity can be compromised by external pressures or cheating culture. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentleman Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-game-1150412/) [Golf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf/) [Golf Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf-known-4578817/) [Golf Unique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf-unique-4578815/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Makes Golf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes-golf-2249441/) [Meant Golf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meant-golf-4578816/) [Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules/) [Unique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unique/) [Why](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why/) ## Related quotes > [In baseball I was able to emulate a lot of different things because I did it growing up, but I go about golf in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/in-baseball-i-was-able-to-emulate-a-lot-of-different-things-because-i/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Sangakkara was a force and an absolute gentleman of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-clarke/sangakkara-was-a-force-and-an-absolute-gentleman-of-the-game/) [Michael Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-clarke/) > [“He looked at me with a smile that I still remember and ran a finger along his impeccably trimmed mustache. “Cricket is about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-doyle/he-looked-at-me-with-a-smile-that-i-still-remember-and-ran-a-finger/) [Ken Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-doyle/) > [From its earliest beginnings, golf has been a gentleman's game - to be played as much for the sake of the game as for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-lema/from-its-earliest-beginnings-golf-has-been-a-gentleman-s-game-to-be/) [Tony Lema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-lema/) > [Golf's a gentleman's game. So it's all about integrity and you cheer on other people, and it's kind of different from other sports where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/golf-s-a-gentleman-s-game-so-it-s-all-about-integrity-and-you-cheer/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [“Cricket is about a lot more than playing by the rules, Mistry. It’s a gentleman’s game. Don’t you ever forget that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-doyle/cricket-is-about-a-lot-more-than-playing-by-the-rules-mistry-it-s-a/) [Ken Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-doyle/) > [Outside cricket, I idolise Roger Federer and in the gentleman's game, I look up to Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Not only were they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajinkya-rahane/outside-cricket-i-idolise-roger-federer-and-in-the-gentleman-s-game-i/) [Ajinkya Rahane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajinkya-rahane/) > [The mental aspect of golf is what makes golf such a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-miller/the-mental-aspect-of-golf-is-what-makes-golf-such-a-great-sport/) [Johnny Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-miller/) > [...as all souls are equal before their Maker, a two inch putt counts the same as a 250 yard drive. There is a comedy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/as-all-souls-are-equal-before-their-maker-a-two-inch-putt-counts-the/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [Foreign players is what makes golf so popular now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/foreign-players-is-what-makes-golf-so-popular-now/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [I just enjoy playing in wind, grew up in it, and it makes the golf a bit more fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-oosthuizen/i-just-enjoy-playing-in-wind-grew-up-in-it-and-it-makes-the-golf-a/) [Louis Oosthuizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-oosthuizen/) > [Golf gives no margin: either you win or you fail. You cannot hedge; you cannot bluff; you cannot give a stop order. One chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-haultain/golf-gives-no-margin-either-you-win-or-you-fail-you-cannot-hedge-you/) [Arnold Haultain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-haultain/) > [Anything that helps shoot lower scores or makes golf more fun and grows the game, that's what I'm all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-dechambeau/anything-that-helps-shoot-lower-scores-or-makes-golf-more-fun-and/) [Bryson DeChambeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-dechambeau/) > [It is the constant and undying hope for improvement that makes golf so exquisitely worth playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-darwin/it-is-the-constant-and-undying-hope-for-improvement-that-makes-golf/) [Bernard Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-darwin/) > [“Like this, Rook.” Ford’s soft words vibrate into me. “I like you. I’d like to show you how much, actually. I’m being a gentleman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-huss/like-this-rook-ford-s-soft-words-vibrate-into-me-i-like-you-i-d-like/) [J.A. Huss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-huss/) ## More by John Smoltz > [A definition of a good broadcast is when 50 percent of the people think you're rooting for one team and the other 50 percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/a-definition-of-a-good-broadcast-is-when-50-percent-of-the-people/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Pitching for the Boston Red Sox proved to be one of the few challenges in my career that I was unable to overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/pitching-for-the-boston-red-sox-proved-to-be-one-of-the-few/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I gave up a lot of money to stay with the Braves four different times and I don't regret any second of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-gave-up-a-lot-of-money-to-stay-with-the-braves-four-different-times/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I've learned so much through golf and myself. I've been frustrated a lot, but I've proved a lot, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-ve-learned-so-much-through-golf-and-myself-i-ve-been-frustrated-a/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [If the players don't produce, and aren't in the position to be evaluated correctly, then a manager's job of winning or losing baseball games…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/if-the-players-don-t-produce-and-aren-t-in-the-position-to-be/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [When you go into the minor leagues and you take a kid out after 75 to 90 pitches, what do you expect him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/when-you-go-into-the-minor-leagues-and-you-take-a-kid-out-after-75-to/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I don't know that we'll ever see a 3,000-strikeout guy again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-don-t-know-that-we-ll-ever-see-a-3-000-strikeout-guy-again/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [To be honest with you, the two greatest games I ever pitched resulted in losses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/to-be-honest-with-you-the-two-greatest-games-i-ever-pitched-resulted/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I never grunted, and never overthrew a pitch when I was a starter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-never-grunted-and-never-overthrew-a-pitch-when-i-was-a-starter/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I try to squeeze in a round of golf here and there when I get a chance to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-try-to-squeeze-in-a-round-of-golf-here-and-there-when-i-get-a/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Yeah, I've never been afraid of any challenge, and I'm either all in or all out, because that's the mindset I've always had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/yeah-i-ve-never-been-afraid-of-any-challenge-and-i-m-either-all-in-or/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Going to the pen was something I had to learn to do. It wasn't something I wanted to do. If it made our team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/going-to-the-pen-was-something-i-had-to-learn-to-do-it-wasn-t/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Alan Trammell came right up to me. I was sitting in a locker, looking like I don't belong here. He shook my hand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/alan-trammell-came-right-up-to-me-i-was-sitting-in-a-locker-looking/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I love to compete. I really do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-love-to-compete-i-really-do/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Golf was a great way to be better in baseball. And now golf is something I enjoy, and a way to better experience and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/golf-was-a-great-way-to-be-better-in-baseball-and-now-golf-is/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) [Explore all 99 John Smoltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) ## More Gentleman quotes > [“Like this, Rook.” Ford’s soft words vibrate into me. “I like you. I’d like to show you how much, actually. I’m being a gentleman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-huss/like-this-rook-ford-s-soft-words-vibrate-into-me-i-like-you-i-d-like/) [J.A. Huss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-huss/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Call me old-fashioned, but whenever I see those wire-fortified ribbons, I have the secret stab of nostalgia for old-timey ribbon, the kind whose ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhoda-janzen/call-me-old-fashioned-but-whenever-i-see-those-wire-fortified-ribbons/) [Rhoda Janzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhoda-janzen/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Brothers all In honour, as in one community, Scholars and gentlemen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/brothers-all-in-honour-as-in-one-community-scholars-and-gentlemen/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [I like to be bought flowers and taken out for dinner. I like a man to be a gentleman. I don't like to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-stone/i-like-to-be-bought-flowers-and-taken-out-for-dinner-i-like-a-man-to/) [Sharon Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-stone/) > [A gentleman is not born but crafted. He had to work on himself in the same way as a sculptor shaped a rough stone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/a-gentleman-is-not-born-but-crafted-he-had-to-work-on-himself-in-the/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [I'm old school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-old-school/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some Iranian doctors from Europe and America go to Iran and operate for free or teach medical students there. The other day, I met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farah-diba/some-iranian-doctors-from-europe-and-america-go-to-iran-and-operate/) [Farah Diba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farah-diba/) > [I'm an old-fashioned girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chita-rivera/i-m-an-old-fashioned-girl/) [Chita Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chita-rivera/) > [I am a bit old-school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-kay/i-am-a-bit-old-school/) [Jay Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-kay/) > [What's wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/what-s-wrong-with-death-sir-what-are-we-so-mortally-afraid-of-why-can/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [The president of the United States of North America, George W. Bush, the little gentleman of the North, the political cadaver that is visiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-chavez/the-president-of-the-united-states-of-north-america-george-w-bush-the/) [Hugo Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-chavez/) > [Acknowledge yourself, man up along age and then decide to be a gentleman or an another asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniyal-butt/acknowledge-yourself-man-up-along-age-and-then-decide-to-be-a/) [Daniyal Butt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniyal-butt/) > [It is possible that blondes also prefer gentleman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mamie-van-doren/it-is-possible-that-blondes-also-prefer-gentleman/) [Mamie Van Doren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mamie-van-doren/) [Browse all 1,653 Gentleman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What makes golf unique is that it's up to the integrity of each person to determine whether they want to apply the rules as they're meant, and that's why golf has always been known as the gentleman's game.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Smoltz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-to-the-integrity-of-each/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gentleman" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-to-the-integrity-of-each/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/john-smoltz-6392_gentleman_what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-t_1348660.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What makes golf unique is that it's up to the integrity of each person to determine whether they want to…” — John Smoltz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Smoltz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What makes golf unique is that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-to-the-integrity-of-each/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/what-makes-golf-unique-is-that-it-s-up-to-the-integrity-of-each/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```