I guess another way to say it or look at it is that the entire experience of being a fan/spectator of golf is a gentrified sort of thing, where you walk around a nice golf course (even in inclement whether - until lightening warnings are issued) you find a cozy advantage point or sit in bleachers, and there is no yelling (other than the Arizona par 3 hole) and you just have this pleasant and restrained experience.
You can go relatively nuts at football or hockey games. You cheer vigorously for ongoing action. He shoots-he scores!!! is a lot more interactive and exciting than a polite golf clap after a 12 footer breaking a few inches left is holed.
In hockey, for the rules nerds, the action, when really hot is riding a fine line between rules and mayhem. Golf is either your ball oscillated and take a stroke penalty or not. Sitting in a penalty box, washing out blood from your gob, and putting half your clothes and equipment back on after the dust-up is different than going to the trailer and arguing with "Slugger White" that you did not actually address your ball. Spirit of a sport is honorable, when played hard but right. But, nature of a sport defines the boundaries that one can go retro or harken back to gain some measure of 'old time spirit'.
I think the best way that one can add some spirit and grit to golf is in your own play. I'm reminded of what Mark at Sutton Bay told me about what a certain well known golf nut, multi-course major venue owner, and rugged individualist does to get his gritty golf jollies. He and his other well-to-do, but gritty golfer pals play what they call is their 'bounce game'. They watch the cool golf venues for tough weather coming in, and when it looks rough, they fly out to play. When I told Mark that the particular time we played at Sutton was the most brutal conditions I'd played in, he mentioned the 'bounce game'. I know I never felt more invigorated than having my ass frozen, sleet driven and any skin exposed - wind blasted, than that time. Dinner was a craved and greatly appreciated event that night. Oh, except the "believer's cup" in Ogallala last fall... which might have been a crescendo of golf spirit, with golf staff heros, loving a game and great commeraderie.
