Walking vs Riding

[North Butte]

They have no other exercise because they don't like exercise. They rent a cart instead of walking to play golf in order to avoid the walking, which they do not like to do.

 

It's a cultural and generational thing.

[medicoreMAgolfer]

Does it speed up play? Sure, but it comes at a cost. Carts attract more idiots.

 

Idiots aside, carts account for significant wear and tear on a course (hardpan around greens and other high traffic areas). Cart paths help, but then you've gotta contend with all the ugly, hard surfaces (which also come at a cost).

 

Walking a course gives you richer perspective as well as a sense of rhythm you can't get sitting in a cart. Your feet transmit a lot more information than you may realize too. If you think of golf as a sport, you best walk.

 

You raised a couple of points here

 

1. Carts don't speed up play when course is designed with walking in mind (short green to tees) unless you're in the cart by yourself or two players are golfers who only hit down the center. I would also agree with the contention that there are slow players and fast players - carts vs walking make no difference

 

2. You nailed it on wear and tear - carts are so bad and even contentious drivers of carts still hurt golf courses and the solution is hardscape, which is so unattractive on a golf course, not to mention exceedingly penal when you're ball hits it! My home course is a great walking course, but probably splits rounds 50/50 and we are gradually removing pavement where we can have more natural "paths"

 

3. I've never thought about why I play better walking - but rythym is probably the right word. I just get into a better feel than I do walking

 

I will say one area where the cart works is - socializing. I do find myself being more chatty in a cart as I am forced to sit next to someone where as walking I can let my inner introvert come out and just focus on getting to my ball

[Argonne69]

It is puzzling just how many able-bodied young players ride carts by default, as if that's how the game is meant to be played (even if course is an easy walk).

 

I thought that too until I talked to a few younger players and got their perspective. For the most part they see the game as an opportunity to unwind and socialize with their buddies. They generally work out on a regular basis, so they're not doing it for the exercise. I on the other hand sit at a desk all day getting fat(ter), and never hit the gym. I ride a bike 4 miles a day, but that has very little benefit. Golf is my primary form of exercise.

 

Now, that's not to say that there aren't a bunch of idiots out there in carts that should be walking.

[North Butte]

It is puzzling just how many able-bodied young players ride carts by default, as if that's how the game is meant to be played (even if course is an easy walk).

 

I thought that too until I talked to a few younger players and got their perspective. For the most part they see the game as an opportunity to unwind and socialize with their buddies. They generally work out on a regular basis, so they're not doing it for the exercise. I on the other hand sit at a desk all day getting fat(ter), and never hit the gym. I ride a bike 4 miles a day, but that has very little benefit. Golf is my primary form of exercise.

 

Now, that's not to say that there aren't a bunch of idiots out there in carts that should be walking.

 

At the university in my town, over the course of any afternoon you will see hundreds of female students walking from the main part of campus to the enormous "wellness center" where they go to exercise. It's about 3/10 to 7/10 of a mile depending on where exactly they're coming from. So call it a half-mile walk each way to and from their daily workout.

 

Virtually every single male student who goes to work out there, drives a car. From about 3 PM on it is a complete traffic snarl and must take those guys 20+ minutes on a bad day just to drive their car the half mile to their workout. You can look at the line of cars waiting to park and it is literally 90% guys while the girls walk right past them and stroll into the door.

 

By and large, young men in our culture are not going to walk anywhere if they can get there in a motorized vehicle. Walking is a girls activity, guys drive to get places. Even when the "place" in question is to go work out. Damndest thing but it is the same cultural norm that makes virtually every 20-45 year old at my club use carts for golf. The walkers all either teenagers or middle-age and older guys who came along before walking ANYWHERE became so uncool.

 

The exception is the hard-core cyclists. They ride their bikes everywhere and are both genders.

[North Butte]

Don't even get me started on my neighbors up the street whose 5-to-12 year old grandkids go 300 yards to the end of the block in order to play in the city park there. They let the 12-year drive a golf cart with several younger kids piled on. Rather than send them on a 4-minute walk (to go run around for an hour in the park) they risk a young child driving on city streets with a bunch of other kids clinging on.

 

I'd arrest them for child neglect if I had the authority.

[Matt J]

I'm 41 and walk 90%+ of my rounds. I don't notice any correlation to age and riding vs. walking where I play.

 

Often I'm the only walker in the group which gets old.

 

We have a very strong cart culture at our club. The gold standard is to live close enough to park your buggy in the garage rigged up with your clubs and ride every round.

 

Personally, my favorite golf doesn't have cart paths. It's pretty ridiculous how much an impermeable surface changes design intent. I like caddies and walking but I'm admittedly old fashioned. We need more jobs in this country but most would rather spend $8k on a cart, that's tangible, has resale, than caddie fees that they see as 'throwing' money away. Nevermind a generation of kids that never get exposed to the game, never have an opportunity to meet and converse with adults, never get involved in the economy by making and spending a little money.... to me life is about people not stuff.

[Argonne69]

Don't even get me started on my neighbors up the street whose 5-to-12 year old grandkids go 300 yards to the end of the block in order to play in the city park there. They let the 12-year drive a golf cart with several younger kids piled on. Rather than send them on a 4-minute walk (to go run around for an hour in the park) they risk a young child driving on city streets with a bunch of other kids clinging on.

 

I'd arrest them for child neglect if I had the authority.

 

Heck, I'd be surprised if they didn't arrest them for neglect by letting them walk. Do kids walk anywhere these days? When I was a kid we walked or rode our bikes (unsupervised) everywhere, including to and from school. If it was more than a few miles, we'd take the bus. We didn't get chauffeured around in a minivan.

[North Butte]

There are at least a couple families whose homes are within visual distance of the local elementary school. I mean I can stand in the front yard of the school and see up the road to each family's driveway, yard and front porch. Less than 1/4 mile.

 

Each of these families puts their kids into the car, backs out of the driveway and drives around the block so they can join the huge queue of cars waiting to pull up to the front door of the school and hand their kids off the waiting teachers who line blocks of kids up and march them into the building.

 

They spend 10, 15, sometimes 20 minutes or more sitting in an idling car all the while being within visual distance of the driveway they just backed out of. And they repeat the whole thing for after-school pickup.

 

In this same neighborhood, any hour of the day you will see couples or small groups of old people (like us) out walking for exercise. It is a totally walkable, pleasant neighborhood which is why we moved there many years ago. Yet for certain families, the concept of taking your kids hand and walking them 2-3 blocks to school is as foreign as trying to flap your arms and fly.

 

I will say each morning there are a handful of locals who do indeed walk their kids to school. But nobody, ever, under any circumstances sends the kids off alone. There was one house maybe 15-20 years ago where I'd see the mom standing on the porch watching while the older sister held kid brother's hand and they walked down the street to the school. Then the mom would go back inside, satisfied they were safe. Nothing like that happens in today's climate of fear. I honestly wonder if those parents don't imagine someone would pull up in a black van and snatch their kids right in front of their eyes or something similar...

[honestveek]

I have only used a cart once in my life. I will walk for as long as I am physically able as I don’t have much time to exercise so golf provides it. We played as a two ball today and was first out on an extremely hilly course (it’s basically a hill with flags in) and the carts didn’t see us for dust. We carry too and take far too much stuff so it was a good workout!

[golfer1g]

Ride. The course I play is really tough to walk

[Hat Trick]

I'm 55 and walk 99% of my golf rounds each season (about 75-85) up here in the north. I've been playing since I was 10. I grew up playing a nine hole city course. Every summer day I would walk 30 minutes to the golf course, play all day (27 holes) and then walk home. If I wanted to play that what is what I had to do - one car in the family and it went to work with my Dad.

 

When people ask me why I continue to walk today my answer is very simple - "because I can".

 

I would encourage everyone to walk (unless there are health issues). Push carts are great and bags are lighter. Start by walking 9 and work your way up.

 

Last summer in Ireland when we went to a course, my fellow Americans in front of us wanted riding carts. The 8 guys had to figure out what to do because the course only had two carts! Guess that says something about our golf and their golf...

[Break81]

I walked today for the first time in probably a year. Added about 5-6 strokes on the back as I tired out a bit.

 

Hopefully I can build up my stamina again. Felt great to walk though!

[Matt J]

Hard to believe WRX would skew this far towards walkers. That's gotta buck the national trend a lot. Cool to see. I feel like the vast majority of players in my region prefer to ride.

[Hot Rod 71]

Once outside temps start to fall I like to walk. I sweat like a pimp in church, so when its really hot I prefer to ride. Better than dropping dead from dehydration on the third hole :swoon: .

 

November through March last year I walked 95% of my rounds and really enjoyed it. We played just as fast as (sometimes faster) than when using carts, my rhythm was better, my mental game was better, and the exercise was wonderful. I got to a point where I felt odd riding in a cart.

 

We normally play the tips during the season, but when we walk in the colder months we drop the woods, carry only irons, wedges, and putter, and play the white tees. Its like playing an entirely different course.

 

We have a cart culture at my home course, as many others have mentioned here. We do not even have a walking rate.

 

There is a 3rd graded living next door to me. I am the 2nd house from the corner, she is in the 3rd. From her front door to the bus stop on the corner is 60-70 yards. Her mom will put her in the car and drive to the corner and wait for the bus. I don't get it.

[Break81]

Walked again today and even though I didn't feel like I was getting tired on the back, I must have been as I shot 8 strokes worse and lost all touch around the greens.

 

Better than a few weeks ago on the fatigue factor, but not better on the scorecard. Been walking a few times a week in the hills around my house to try and advance my conditioning to walk but I guess its going to take a few months to walk 18 and not see the scores increase late in the round.

 

it was unusually hot today (85 for late November) so even though I was drinking tons of water and gatorade the heat didn't help.

[Jmx]

If I play bymyself I tend to ride, if my partner walks, I'll bring out the push cart. It all depends who I am with or what day it is.

[shotmark]

Apparently walking with a carry bag over 18 holes burns approx. 2000 calories against 1500 walking with a trolley and 1200 taking a buggy.

[North Butte]

My Garmin activity monitor usually estimates somewhere in the 800-1,100kcals range for 18 holes with my trolley. I’ve only ever carried my bag a couple times while wearing the Garmin but those rounds were slightly higher, maybe 1,200 or so.

 

It has the heart rate and GPS so the energy estimates ought to be pretty good. Yesterday it said just 747kcals which is unusually low but I was only out there three hours.

[Boricua Golf]

I love walking, I enjoy it more during winter since you tend to stay warmer...Ping just sent me a Hoofer 4 14 way with the G400 colors (thank you Jeff), I have the Birdie Blue Hoofer 4 14 way, it's the same bag BTW, but new never than less, so if the weather gets better it will be on the course very soon...

[Sh00terMcgavin]

Honestly I love to walk. Keeps the pace of the game on track for me. In a cart I feel it is way to much hurry up and wait.

[dave willie]

I used to carry 50% and use a push cart 50%. Then I got a Ping Hoofer, and now I carry virtually 100%.

 

For anyone thinking about going back to walking/carrying, get a good carry bag. Pay particular attention to the straps on the carry bag, because they make a big difference in the amount of energy it takes to tote your bag. I finish 18 holes a lot fresher with the Hoofer compared to my old Sun Mountain 3.5. The SM bag was a little lighter, but the straps were not nearly as comfortable as Pings.

[Mr_Wolfe]

Nothing to do with exercise for me. I am a social golfer and do not enjoy the game near as much playing by myself. All total preference of course. That and we usually play 36-45 holes at a time on league night which just wouldn't be fun walking. I agree that a fast player can most certainly keep up with pace walking amongst carts. I will add though, a fast pace walker will not keep up with a fast pace cart. With that being said, I don't think my group is in the majority. We play very fast, but not rushed. Golf means something different for each person.

 

Mr. Wolfe

[A.Princey]

I use to prefer walk-and-carry, but then the bag started getting heavier and decided riding was the next best option. Wrong!!! I play my best golf when I walk and get the FULL experience of the day when I walk. I only recently bought a Caddytek push cart and this has made walking a pleasure once again. I'm only in my early 30s mind you, but not feeling tension in the back and shoulders when you arrive at your ball is extremely freeing. Now, I only ride when the situation demands it, when time is not on my side, or when the course layout is ridiculous.

[shifu]

Walking all the way! gets great exercise and gives you more chance to look around. Don't worry about people behind you!

[skmcclure]

I might have already posted to this thread since I do enjoy walking. Many people have talked about the social aspect of riding but walking is social as well. When two people hit their ball to the same side of the fairway, or into the same stretch of woods (:, they end up walking together. While you might not chat to the same person as much, you do end up chatting to the other two people that you would not be riding with more. IMHO. I'm the youngest, at 55, in our usual group and everyone enjoys walking and saving the $18 on the cart fee every time we play.

[11forgedblades]

Here in Sweden everybody walk, on a lot of courses you need a note from a doctor to even be able to rent a cart. You rarely see a cart on the course, maybe once a year and even 80 year old men and women walk and keep the pace without a problem.

[Break81]

So what is less taxing.. walking with push cart, pull cart or back pack strap? I know I need to walk more and build up my endurance, but yesterday after 15 holes I couldn't retain a good swing. Ground was pretty wet from rain which probably made the push cart more effort than normal. Thinking of carrying the bag after I make it lighter. Who walks a lot and can comment?

[raynorfan1]

So what is less taxing.. walking with push cart, pull cart or back pack strap? I know I need to walk more and build up my endurance, but yesterday after 15 holes I couldn't retain a good swing. Ground was pretty wet from rain which probably made the push cart more effort than normal. Thinking of carrying the bag after I make it lighter. Who walks a lot and can comment?

 

IMHO once you have the endurance built up, push cart is usually (depending on the course) the easiest. The risk is that you end up loading the bag down and pushing a lot of weight - I prefer to carry and keep as little in the bag as possible.

[Le Shizzle]

At my home course I always walk, at others courses I almost always walk. I don't believe I've ever had a good round driving in a golf cart, something about the stop start nature just doesn't do it for me.

 

It's funny the difference in how people get around a course depending on what part of the world they live. Where I'm from (Melbourne,Australia) most people walk at my course with a push buggy, golf carts as we call them are reserved for people that are 65+ or have a medical condition.

 

In fact at our course in any club comp the only people that can drive around in a golf cart either have a medical condition, or are 65+, even then most of the older members use either a push buggy or motorized buggy.

 

Our course is private, at our public golf courses the use of a golf cart is more common, because it's often people that don't play much and feel like treating themselves.

[Break81]

At my home course I always walk, at others courses I almost always walk. I don't believe I've ever had a good round driving in a golf cart, something about the stop start nature just doesn't do it for me.

 

It's funny the difference in how people get around a course depending on what part of the world they live. Where I'm from (Melbourne,Australia) most people walk at my course with a push buggy, golf carts as we call them are reserved for people that are 65+ or have a medical condition.

 

In fact at our course in any club comp the only people that can drive around in a golf cart either have a medical condition, or are 65+, even then most of the older members use either a push buggy or motorized buggy.

 

Our course is private, at our public golf courses the use of a golf cart is more common, because it's often people that don't play much and feel like treating themselves.

Funny when I moved to inland California (away from the beach coastal communities) most of the courses in my area either are very difficult to walk or are designed to where you simply cannot. Distances between holes and elevation changes would make it a treacherous 6 mile hike only the fittest could handle, and even then it would be a 5 hours round.

 

I really with the flat areas would build more courses, however those have been gobbled up by commercial and residential real estate bank rolls. Even the Arnold Palmer designed course Empire Lakes (once hosted the Nike Tour) was shut down to build more housing.

 

I could still drive 40-60 minutes to the walkable courses I once played frequently, but with a young family its just not good use of my limited time.