Walk or ride

[vietnameeh]

I’ve been away from the game for 3-4 years and have the competition itch.

 

Played competitive JR/College golf.... much older now (30s)

 

I plan on playing smaller city tournaments to break myself in and most city tournaments allow golf carts in my area (unlike bigger USGA/state stuff)

 

But I am not exactly a young guy anymore that can walk 36 holes

 

I tried walking 18 the other day with a push cart and I am definitely not golf strong like I was before (I do work out at the gym) I was bit a fatigued towards the end

 

Would you take advantage of riding carts when available in a tournament ?

 

I’m a firm believer that fatigue does effect the golf game both physical and mental , just wondering what others would do

[az2au]

I hate riding in carts and walk >95% of my casual rounds (~100% of the amount possible) and yet I’ll take a cart 100% in tournament rounds if it is allowed. I didn’t used to be that way because I just thought it made the slow play of tournament golf even worse (it does) but changed my tune over the years. Tournament golf is a lot more fatiguing in various ways as well. This is coming from someone that goes to the gym every day and can easily run 10 miles and still walk 18 later the same day. Fitness level doesn’t resolve the fatigue you get playing tournament golf or at least it didn’t for me. My guess is that the only thing does is playing a ton of tournament golf and job/kid prevents that for me.

[jacobEDGE]

I'm a bit thrown off by some of this.

 

Working out in the gym? Using a push cart? Tired after walking 18?

 

I'm overweight (technically obese), can't run more than 1/4 mile without keeling over, never ever work out...yet I can walk 18 holes while carrying my bag without any issue. I personally love walking the golf course. It gives me time to mentally shake off a bad shot while walking up to the next. Or time to think of a strategy & game plan as I walk up and approach my ball. I don't have to worry about where my cart partner ended up, just walk in a straight line directly to my ball.

[vietnameeh]

Sorry I guess I’m comparing how jr and college golf was... walking 36 was a breeze

 

18 felt like a task lol

 

I lift heavy (compound) in the gym so my cardio isn’t exactly that great I’m also 20lbs heavier then I was when I played golf

 

So that’s why I say I am not golf strong as I was lol

[Sean2]

I walk 99% of the time, but during tournaments I/we ride. The main reason is that those rounds are usually longer and it's nice to have a place to sit while you wait...and wait...and wait. :-)

[Stetson]

I am the opposite, as I am more likely to walk than ride in a tournament because I believe my tempo and rhythm are better while walking. I stay loose, spend less time waiting and maintain a more constant heart rate. Something about the increased pace of a golf cart does lead me to higher scores.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

30s isn’t old.

[vietnameeh]

30s isn't old.

 

lol sorry!

[Petunia Sprinkle]

30s isn't old.

 

lol sorry!

 

Oh, no offense taken. I was implying that if you feel old in your 30s, your fitness, diet, or both might need some help, unless you’ve been in optimum health your whole life. Then, 30s would seem relatively old.

[MidMOGolfer]

Flat course: Walk 18

Hilly: walk front, ride back

[balladm]

30s isn't old.

 

lol sorry!

 

Oh, no offense taken. I was implying that if you feel old in your 30s, your fitness, diet, or both might need some help, unless youve been in optimum health your whole life. Then, 30s would seem relatively old.

I think it is relative. I feel old in my mid 30s but mostly due to military beating up the body. Already a back surgery and knee issues, but if you carry 80 lbs on your back then it happens. I had a "Dr." state it is like dog years for active duty, 1 year is like 7 for the average civilian.

[*T*]

Much prefer to walk. Gives you a chance you take everything in and think through your next shot. Carts can be a distraction. Sometimes they are necessary as some courses have lengthy distances between holes.

[titleist_chris]

Walk all the way. Using push carts makes a huge difference instead of carrying your own bag.

[fishstix94]

I almost exclusively ride. I mostly play in PA/OH/WV area and the courses are ridiculously hilly. Pair that with the 80% humidity, and walking 18 can ruin the experience.

[rjbrewer57]

Hybrid approach: Carry bag and passenger seat in golf cart. You can walk or ride as wanted. Carry your bag in your lap when riding

[scores]

Walk but I hurt my back so bad this winter shoveling its not an option I miss walking.

[LeoLeo99]

I'm in walking shape now. Took a couple weeks of walking hilly courses and cardio in my gym. Played a few rounds of "speed" golf. Played as a single with no one in front of me. Hilly course. Heart rate elevated the whole time.

 

But the goal is lower scores. I think I play better when I walk. I have all my clubs with me, time to think about the shot and focus. Just paces me better when I walk.

[TaddNOhio]

"Played competitive JR/College golf.... much older now (30s)"

 

Really? You are young ... i walked 36-holes in a day when i was in my 30's and now in my 50's can walk 18-holes .. i don't work out at the gym either

 

[jonnymc44]

I walk 100% of the time, but after a few months off during the winter I can tell that I'm not fully golf fit. I completely agree that being fatigued affects the mental and physical side of the game, and more often than not my back 9 scores are worse than my front 9 scores. I switch between a pencil bag and a push trolley. The prevalence of carts in the UK is pretty low compared to US. Our course, for example, has 4 that can be hired out. My previous course didn't have any, and they were both hilly courses. I guess over here we're just used to walking it with a trolley or not.

Electric trolleys are a big thing over here too. They are great if you want to walk but don't take the extra energy like a push trolley does. I'd look at getting one of those. Usually around £400 over here, so about $500 or so.

[vietnameeh]

> @TaddNOhio said:

> "Played competitive JR/College golf.... much older now (30s)"

>

> Really? You are young ... i walked 36-holes in a day when i was in my 30's and now in my 50's can walk 18-holes .. i don't work out at the gym either

>

 

Update from a year ago, I have tried both in tournaments. I will take the advantage of a cart when available. Some of the bigger tournaments don't allow driven carts.

I am not saying "I CANT WALK", I'm wondering if there was a conceived advantage in a tournament environment. Playing with high school/college/seasoned competitors that can walk 36 every day, they are definitely prepped for multi day tournaments.

 

So far from my experience, I can manage walking. However getting into the 2nd and/or 3rd day of a tournament. My legs are definitely taking a hit. I played in smaller city tournaments that allowed driven carts, I was pretty fresh for the 2 day tournament. Did it impact my scores... maybe not enough to see an advantage. However I wasn't feeling it the days after riding.

Conclusion: I should work on my game more LOL

[TaddNOhio]

@vietnameeh i hear you now .... i would struggle to walk 18-holes for continuous days in a row. Most guys i play with want to ride .. i will go out and walk by myself a lot and practice. All the local outings i play in everyone rides

[pseudoswede]

Once I started playing in golf leagues as an adult, I started out at a muni's men's league. It was a typical muni with greens and tee boxes in close proximity. Many of the guys walked. When I moved over to a traveling golf league (similar to GCAT), entry fees include cart. All but one other person rides regularly in my golf league. In addition, we now play more modern courses where it can be almost a par 5 distance between holes--this is what is truly draining when walking. I'm annoyed that I have to pay for a cart when I truly don't want to use one, but this is what I do:

* Unload everything from my golf bag into the golf cart except for my clubs, tees/markers/repair tools, and 2-3 golf balls (and my phone since I use it as my golf GPS). Especially if I bring rain gear, it saves a decent amount of weight.

* Walk from tee to green, ride from green to tee. It's a win-win since I don't get as tired as much, plus the rest of the group is not waiting for me to walk a few hundred feet to the next hole.

* I am typically the longest hitter in the group, so when the rest of the group takes off to go to their second shots in their carts, I typically get to my ball when it's my turn. No waiting around.

* If I'm in a group of all long hitters, I'll ride from the tee to my second shot.

 

The only time I try to ride (whether it's a tournament or for fun) is when the course is extremely hilly.

[DaddyCaddieIU]

Walking