Golf; the most difficult sport?

I’ve heard people mention on numerous occasions that golf is the hardest sport to master. Looking at possible answers to why this might be the case could assist players’ in improving their performance.

Okay, 10 reasons that golf might be considered a difficult sport:

1. Many games in one; putting / chipping / long game demand fairly different technique and skill.
2. Length of time to play 18 holes.
3. 14 clubs; a range of equipment.
4. Never facing the same shot under the same conditions twice.
5. Social factors; not wanting to be embarassed, being ‘on stage’ when playing a shot.
6. Thinking time between and over shots.
7. Practice ranges don’t easily allow a player to simulate real play.
8. Pure difficulty of technique needed to hit a shot?
9. The ‘non perfect’ elements to the game; bumpy greens, irregular bounces and gusts of wind.
10. The expectation of playing to a standard score or handicap.

Flipping the coin over you could also read the above as ‘10 reasons why golf is such a great game’. Either way you look at it this is a good place to start exploring how we can improve golf performance.

Any thoughts?