Apparently the Dad Bod is a thing, which is great news for golfers

Let's face it, when it comes to real golfer physiques, there are a lot more Phil Mickelsons out there than there are Rory McIlroys. Even with most of us devoting more attention to fitness and nutrition than ever before, golfers as a group have yet to fully absolve themselves of beer, hot dogs and handfuls of pretzels as 19th-hole fare.

Fortunately we're learning that might not be such a bad thing. Perhaps you're aware of the growing phenomenon known as the "dad bod." It's been around for a while -- technically it's been around as long as there have been dads -- but it really took hold with an article published earlier this spring by a Clemson sophomore named Mackenzie Pearson on the website theodysseyonline.com. In it, Pearson expounds on the merits of the dad bod over the six-pack flaunting, gym-sculpted body we see on the cover of many men's magazines.

The dad bod is a nice balance between a beer gut and working out. The dad bod says, "I go to the gym occasionally, but I also drink heavily on the weekends and enjoy eating eight slices of pizza at a time." It's not an overweight guy, but it isn't one with washboard abs, either.

Pearson elaborated on the definition in an interview with Slate.com. 

A dad bod is a guy who is not incredibly chiseled, but at the same time, is not unhealthy. He's not overweight. He's probably that guy who played football in high school and came to college and didn't play football.

In other words, it's a lot of the guys you play golf with, and possibly you, too. And for that matter, it's that faction of players on the PGA Tour who hit the gym but don't look like they live there.

Like we said, there's Phil.

View image | gettyimages.com

Jason Dufner at one point may have been too big to have a dad bod.

But now he may be too small. He's since lost a ton of weight -- and his wife, sadly -- so we now need a ruling from the Official Dad Bod Committee.

View image | gettyimages.com It's really too close to call. We'll have to get back to you.

__

Follow @SamWeinman

__