At what age did you stop carrying?

[Itsjustagame]

Stopped carrying many years ago, but agree the electric trolly is a great way to play.

[bluedot]

You don't carry any water?

Anyway, if we use a 16 lb. bowling ball, and round your bag up to 21 lbs., (without any water, or a rangefinder, or golf gloves, much less a jacket or an umbrella) that's 31% heavier than the bowling ball.

But I don't think the math is the point, is it? Look, I carried for a LONG time, and in some ways I miss it. But there is NO way it isn't tiring to pick up and put down a golf bag 50+ times, much less carry it six miles, even if you're fit and even on a flat course and even if the bag is VERY light, which is clearly the case with yours. That's all.

Carrying a golf bag is a good thing, and adds to the workout component of playing golf, for sure, and that's great. But there's a reason you don't the guys on Tour carrying their own bags, and a reason that their caddies are carrying staff bags. I walk almost every round I play; I only ride when the course I'm playing makes me ride. But I want to play as well as I can, and part of that (even if it's a small part) is having my "stuff" with me. So I push a Clicgear, with a hybrid bag, and I have my stuff and my back doesn't get tired or tight toward the end of the round.

I think it all just comes down to what you want out of the round.

[3putt4thewin]

I don't think there is a right or wrong age to start using a push cart. All very subjective and up to the individual. Heck a lot of juniors are using push carts now. I don't use one, but certainly am not going to fault anyone for using one at any age.

[boggyman]

Yes I carry a bottle of water, range finder, and 4-6 gloves. These items weren’t it bag at time I weighed it. I was in garage cleaning bag out and out of curiosity decided to weigh it. Irons do have steel shafts. I just started walking again for 9 hole rounds at a local 9 hole track. I understand your point 100%. I seem to play better when I do walk.

[goheels11]

Carrying is such a good thing to keep you in shape. Using being not in shape as a reason to stop makes no sense to me.

[Malvern]

Stopped carrying at 12, or in fact never actually started. Everyone has their own push cart or the club supplies one.

I've never quite got the carrying thing, uncommon out here (Australia) except a Sunday bag.

[snick59]

Maybe it’s tradition but I never felt the need to carry, I get enough exercise at work didn’t need the extra strain on the back either,  always either rode or had a push cart. 

[PeteW]

I stopped this year. Turned 40 and mom showed up with a Sun Mountain Speed Cart. She told me I was an old man now, time to use a push cart.

[goheels11]

I’m 50 and carry 90% of the time.  Fully loaded bag is about 20 pounds with 13 clubs, 5 balls and limited other items.  6.7 miles and 2000 calories.  Lucky, our club has water every 2 holes so I don’t have to carry a beverage.   Cart fee is $28.04!   I play about 120 rounds a year.   Walking allows me to blow more money on new sticks. Lol

[Gsea]

3 hours ago, goheels11 said:

I’m 50 and carry 90% of the time.  Fully loaded bag is about 20 pounds with 13 clubs, 5 balls and limited other items.  6.7 miles and 2000 calories.  Lucky, our club has water every 2 holes so I don’t have to carry a beverage.   Cart fee is $28.04!   I play about 120 rounds a year.   Walking allows me to blow more money on new sticks. Lol

6.7 miles, wow thats a really really long course or a lot of ARMY golf.

[goheels11]

2 minutes ago, Gsea said:

6.7 miles, wow thats a really really long course or a lot of ARMY golf.

Lol.  Lucky, i hit it straight, just not far!  7500 from the tips, but have a couple of long walks between the holes.  Our other course is only 6 miles and almost like a day off when walking.  

[caniac6]

Probably stopped carrying in my late 50s - early 60s. I had some problems with my shoulder, and started using a Sun Mountain cart. I am now 66, and use an electric trolley. I will still carry for 9 every once in awhile.

[brew4eagle]

On 9/28/2020 at 11:32 AM, Gsea said:

6.7 miles, wow thats a really really long course or a lot of ARMY golf.

6.5 to 7 miles is what I typically avg when walking courses in my area that seem to be average in length, and I'm a straight hitter as well.  The walks between holes, steps as you walk on the greens, etc all add up.  I was surprised the first time I wore a fitness watch and realized how much ground is covered during a walking round.

[the bishop]

I stopped carrying regularly around age 46.  I still walk but use a pushcart now, currently 57.

[davep043]

5 hours ago, brew4eagle said:

6.5 to 7 miles is what I typically avg when walking courses in my area that seem to be average in length, and I'm a straight hitter as well.  The walks between holes, steps as you walk on the greens, etc all add up.  I was surprised the first time I wore a fitness watch and realized how much ground is covered during a walking round.

I don't do it every time I play, but the last time I used a "map my walk" app on my phone (in my bag, of course), it was just about 6 miles.  My home club is part of a housing development, so we have a few longer walks between holes.  Add to that the steps away from the bag, around greens, searching for balls, 6.5 to 7 miles seems pretty realistic to me too.  Add to that 800 feet or so of uphill, and back downhill, and its a good walk.

[jeffreyl]

66, now use a push cart and as in the past, take a Caddie when available! Am nearly 69.

Edited October 1, 2020 by jeffreyl

[2bGood]

Nearly 50 still carry. I tried a cart but did not like it.  Could see going to an electric cart at some point though in the next 20 years. 

Edited October 1, 2020 by 2bGood

[gripandrip]

I'm 59. I have a push cart which I really enjoy, but still carry occasionally based on weather, course and how I feel. I really enjoy carrying the bag, it takes me back to the old days. In the winter, I will carry more than not due to ground conditions not always being agreeable to push carts. (I live in Michigan).

 

I have to say though, that I saw an electric cart the other day that was just bouncing along following the golfer and it looked pretty nice. I'll have to try that sometimes. I only get that feeling when I let by push cart coast down a hill in front of me.

 

As for distances.. my favorite walking course in the area registers in at just over 7 miles.

[LeoLeo99]

About when I turned 30.  Went to the push cart.  I wouldn't mind carrying again but I travel heavy and I'd have to buy a carry bag.  I like the push cart, too.  Only ride if I'm forced to.  

[dpark]

I am 56 and still carry and have no problems carrying 36 or even 45 holes (when I am at Bandon Dunes). I have been fortunate to not have had serious injuries growing up playing sports. I was an avid skier, basketball player, baseball player and golfer growing up. Just got lucky that I never blew out a knee or something. 

 

What I believe has helped more than anything was taking up yoga in 2000. I was starting to have a lot of back problems and was taking advil for every round. Yoga made me realize that my core strength was not very good. It really made a huge difference for me. A side benefit was much great range of motion and flexibility that has also enabled me to still have a full swing and I no longer need any painkillers before/after a round. 

 

Personally, for a hilly course (like Bandon), I think you spend a LOT more energy pushing a cart around than carrying a bag, but you also need a back that can hold up carrying for 18 holes.

 

Also some folks carry WAY too much stuff which doesn't help matters. I am a minimalist when it comes to my golf gear: clubs, 2 gloves, 4-5 balls, a ditty bag with tees/ball markers, rangefinder, some band aids and a water bottle. Less than 20lbs. 

 

 

[blueonblack]

Even as a kid, I used a pull cart. If one were available, I didn't understand why people wouldn't use one? I liked how it stood the clubs at attention for me, instead of laying down the bag and picking it up (bags had a strap back then, that was it! No stands.) So I got into it early.

I was also a diabetic kid though, so I had lots of food and drink in there and it was heavy!!

Been a Clicgear guy since they had pneumatic tires on them. Still have it, my 3.0 and 3.5+.

Do it, and don't look back!! Just as enjoyable a walk. And lots of people have them now. It was a bit of a curiosity to people when I got that first one. Not many were around. Now its commonplace.

[dubbelbogey]

Early 40s (mid 50's now) I started to use a push cart.

 

For me, it's not at all about being in shape. I still do endurance sports (cycling, xc skiing), but for me it's about the fine muscle control that I found was being affected by my neck and shoulders getting weary from the load late in the round. The push cart eliminated that issue altogether for me.

 

I still carry when I'm playing 9 holes and it's not too hot out. With COVID restrictions, the weight of my bag just went up a lot to carry the extra water I need, so a push cart helps tremendously. When it's hot and dry out, I drink a lot of water.

[goheels11]

5 hours ago, dpark said:

I am 56 and still carry and have no problems carrying 36 or even 45 holes (when I am at Bandon Dunes). I have been fortunate to not have had serious injuries growing up playing sports. I was an avid skier, basketball player, baseball player and golfer growing up. Just got lucky that I never blew out a knee or something. 

 

What I believe has helped more than anything was taking up yoga in 2000. I was starting to have a lot of back problems and was taking advil for every round. Yoga made me realize that my core strength was not very good. It really made a huge difference for me. A side benefit was much great range of motion and flexibility that has also enabled me to still have a full swing and I no longer need any painkillers before/after a round. 

 

Personally, for a hilly course (like Bandon), I think you spend a LOT more energy pushing a cart around than carrying a bag, but you also need a back that can hold up carrying for 18 holes.

 

Also some folks carry WAY too much stuff which doesn't help matters. I am a minimalist when it comes to my golf gear: clubs, 2 gloves, 4-5 balls, a ditty bag with tees/ball markers, rangefinder, some band aids and a water bottle. Less than 20lbs. 

 

 

100% agreed.  13 clubs, 5 balls, 2 gloves, towel and a range finder in a 2.7 pound bag.   My pro looked at me funny when I told him to order some non leather club headcovers.  Those leather ones are a pound each!

[mljones99]

39 and still carry.  Don't see why I would stop any time soon.

[miamistomp]

68-still carry

  South Florida is flat which helps but hot and humid which does not

    When it is muddy and damp will use a 2 wheel bag boy cart but I usually just park it in a strategic position and use it as a feeder for the clubs I am using- I dont drag it all over the course

[braincramp52]

I can't get into carrying when spring and fall golf prices around here are 18 and a cart for $25. I get enough exercise off the course.

[596]

On 10/1/2020 at 2:15 PM, gripandrip said:

I'm 59. I have a push cart which I really enjoy, but still carry occasionally based on weather, course and how I feel. I really enjoy carrying the bag, it takes me back to the old days. In the winter, I will carry more than not due to ground conditions not always being agreeable to push carts. (I live in Michigan).

 

I have to say though, that I saw an electric cart the other day that was just bouncing along following the golfer and it looked pretty nice. I'll have to try that sometimes. I only get that feeling when I let by push cart coast down a hill in front of me.

 

As for distances.. my favorite walking course in the area registers in at just over 7 miles.

If you ever get a chance to get a follow cart you'll never use any other cart.  Its like having a caddy.  It's a leisurely stroll for 18 holes.  I got a Stewart X9 about a year ago after I had my second hip replaced.  It's an awesome cart and is a lot of fun to use. 

[goheels11]

@596 I’ve seen that model and always wanted to try.  Unfortunately our club only allows use of their push carts, no personal ones permitted or I would be all over this.  

[onafriday]

I’m 42 and I don’t really plan unless I can walk.  I’m a hoofer.  
 

I am, often, the only walker.  
 

I think a dimension is how good you are.  I’m a 4, which means I can generally hoof it with riders and now slow them down.  That’s really my jam. 
 

I would for sure go to a pull cart before riding.  Haven’t yet but I can see the day.  
 

I sit enough at work.  The older I get the more joy I get from the walk than the actual play!

[Phreddy]

I'm 64 and still carry a full bag.  I bought an MGI Navigator (another thread on that subject is on here as well).  My home course in the midwest won't let me use it and my winter course in Arizona does.  I generally play 3 days in a row, off day and start the cycle again.  It is not exactly apples to apples, but the day 3 score cards are better with the trolley.  Walking is just one element in my fitness program.  I always fear that if I give an inch to Father Time he will take a mile.