> Golf is essentially a single player game that you play against yourself.

That is not at all how tournament/competitive golf works. And that's what sets the tone for the whole sport.

You don't have to let it set the tone for your golf.

You're confusing the micro for the macro.

>Golf is essentially a single player game that you play against yourself.

With modern golf, yes. This is only because of the advent of television. Match-play used to dominate the game, and is still advocated my many (myself included), which allows direct competition, and introduces risk-reward strategy depending on how the other player plays.

Well, even match-play is about as interactive as running a race.

Very different from the direct interaction you have in a game like Baseball.

It's really not. You can absolutely change your strategy based on what the other player is doing.

Runners tell you the same thing. Or bicyclists.

Are those runners and bicyclists not confused? Taking a risk in golf could save a stroke or cost several; are runners making mistakes like "run harder for a bit but fall into a pond" or "run harder for a bit but exceed limits and take an injury"?