Can I just point out to all those responders to this thread who are ranting against Melvyn (and his often tedious anti-cart stance) that he didn't raise walking, or carts, in this thread. You guys did. The lot of you are like a bunch of nasty schoolboys, looking to pick a fight with the boy that doesn't fit in. When he says something that you disagree with, feel free to express yourselves but I cannot see the point of bringing an argument to a thread that didn't merit it.
To those who have responded in the spirit of the thread, thanks.
To me the special merits of golf lie in it being a sport I can play competitively when my body won't let me play other sports the way I used to. It's a way I can spend time outside, in sometimes beautiful surroundings, competing. It's about the cameraderie and the honesty (though other sports have these, despite what some think) and the social apsects. It's also a rare sport that I can play with my children now and, hopefully, in 30 years time.
Two points to follow Mark's good post:
1. Golf is the only game I know where I can occasionally hit a shot as well as the young masters of the game.
2. Golf is a game where you can indeed compete with your kids later in life. You may need more shots to do so successfully!