Advice on walking 54 holes on the longest day of the year

[putterboy75]

I've been talking about playing from sunup to sundown on the longest day of the year for many years now, but have never followed through. Not happening again in 2021!

 

I want to walk the whole way and would appreciate any suggestions to keep me going. I happen to be in Northern Michigan so am not too concerned about being able to finish the 3 rounds due to daylight, but more that I'll just get too tired.

 

I'd like to play 3 different courses so need to find a cluster to reduce travel time, however, that travel time can serve as a refresh for the next round. Thinking of just bringing half my clubs to cut down on weight, change shoes for every new round. Hopefully I'll be hitting it straight that day so I can minimize time spent looking for balls as well as save energy with fewer swings. I also should try to pick places that won't be busy on June 20th which is a Sunday, so could be a little challenging.

 

I know tons of people do multiple rounds in a day, what's your secret?

[BG5]

Not alot of Northern Michigan Courses are meant for walking.  I have done 54 holes multiple times in Northern Michigan in late June.....Treetops is a great option as the courses are all right there but you cannot walk them.

 

I think 54 holes can easily be done by might be tough to find quality courses that are walkable in Northern Michigan

[Tim_Gavrich]

Changing shoes between rounds a good call, but not nearly as important as changing SOCKS in between rounds, IMO. Would be worth investing in good socks, too - Kentwool, Swiftwick and Surino all make wool socks for golf that I find noticeably more comfortable than just the regular cheap stuff. A fresh pair of underwear between rd 1 and rd 2 or rd 2 and rd 3 would be advisable, too.

[putterboy75]

I'm thinking that I'll start down at Arcadia South because it's a relatively flat property, then move north to Pinecroft which isn't nearly as hilly as its sister property Champion Hills, there is another short course called Crystal Lake GC close by that could be the 3rd 18. Thanks for the advice!

[jpthreesticks]

I've done golf marathons as well as walked 100+ holes in a day several times for other fundraisers. First round if the ground is wet, waterproof but walking friendly golf shoes are your friend. Once things dry out, I'd switch to a pair of comfortable running shoes or something that is built for you to put miles on. 

 

Probably too late to say start building up some miles walking/running, but if you already do that regularly, that won't be a problem. I'm not sure what options you would have, but for the last 36 holes, if you have a facility that has two courses, that would be best. The last thing you want to do when trying to do things like this is sit for any extended period of time. If you can keep going without sitting that is best. Jumping in the car would be even less ideal, but if you don't have an option then hopefully your courses are pretty close to each other.

 

Hydrate the day before. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Take some Tylenol/Advil before your round and once during the day. Biofreeze is great stuff after the round. This all might be overkill, but I'm trying to remember how I feel after 54 vs. after 100+. 

 

Training + stretching + hydrating are all key. 

[hammergolf]

On 6/12/2021 at 1:51 PM, Tim_Gavrich said:

Changing shoes between rounds a good call, but not nearly as important as changing SOCKS in between rounds, IMO. Would be worth investing in good socks, too - Kentwool, Swiftwick and Surino all make wool socks for golf that I find noticeably more comfortable than just the regular cheap stuff. A fresh pair of underwear between rd 1 and rd 2 or rd 2 and rd 3 would be advisable, too.

What he said. Most impotant thing. CHANGE TO DRY SOCKS AFTER EACH ROUND. If possible change shoes shoes too.

[putterboy75]

The socks advice is so essential. I planned to change shoes after each round but it would be easy to overlook changing socks too. Also, appreciate the advice on not sitting down. I have a HyperVolt percussion gun which will be very useful as I go. @jpthreesticks how did your scoring progress over your marathon session?

[Phreddy]

I have become a fan of electrolyte powders that you can empty into a 12oz bottle of water.  Staying hydrated is important, but replenishing electrolytes is key to retaining focus and warding off fatigue.

[TheBear95]

OP, I walk 54 every season (done so twice already this year) and routinely walk 36. Here's my advice...

 

First, do you typically walk when you play? If not, you could be in for a long day. There's stamina involved in doing this. As other mentioned, definitely change socks and shoes. And, hydration is key.

 

Are you going to carry? My suggestion would be to push, as it is much easier on the body. Especially on a hot day when you must have ample hydration at the ready. Carrying around a bunch of water is like adding a few extra clubs to the bag.

 

Finally, pace of play is the key. You get stuck playing a five hour round, it makes this much more difficult. The standing around kills the legs and you will start to fatigue mentally as well. That's the most challenging one to deal with, the mental fatigue. For me, once the mind begins to wander, that's it, I'm done for the day. 

 

I would not attempt this on Fathers Day. I think you are asking for a bunch of long slow rounds. I usually try for 54 on weekdays and at courses I know typically play quick. 

Edited June 15, 2021 by TheBear95

[jpthreesticks]

6 hours ago, putterboy75 said:

The socks advice is so essential. I planned to change shoes after each round but it would be easy to overlook changing socks too. Also, appreciate the advice on not sitting down. I have a HyperVolt percussion gun which will be very useful as I go. @jpthreesticks how did your scoring progress over your marathon session?

Each year, I would get into a stretch of the best ball striking that I have been in the entire year. The only focus is on the next shot when you play that many holes in a day and it’s a blast when you get in that zone. Others I’ve done it with say the same thing. 

[putterboy75]

15 hours ago, hammergolf said:

What he said. Most impotant thing. CHANGE TO DRY SOCKS AFTER EACH ROUND. If possible change shoes shoes too.

 

5 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

OP, I walk 54 every season (done so twice already this year) and routinely walk 36. Here's my advice...

 

First, do you typically walk when you play? If not, you could be in for a long day. There's stamina involved in doing this. As other mentioned, definitely change socks and shoes. And, hydration is key.

 

Are you going to carry? My suggestion would be to push, as it is much easier on the body. Especially on a hot day when you must have ample hydration at the ready. Carrying around a bunch of water is like adding a few extra clubs to the bag.

 

Finally, pace of play is the key. You get stuck playing a five hour round, it makes this much more difficult. The standing around kills the legs and you will start to fatigue mentally as well. That's the most challenging one to deal with, the mental fatigue. For me, once the mind begins to wander, that's it, I'm done for the day. 

 

I would not attempt this on Fathers Day. I think you are asking for a bunch of long slow rounds. I usually try for 54 on weekdays and at courses I know typically play quick. 

Thanks for the tips - yes, I've been walking 18 or so for the past 20 years, but haven't walked 36 in at least 10. I used to run ~50 miles a week before moving to the bike after an injury (fully recovered.) I'm planning to carry but only about half the bag to cut down on weight. Hopefully 3 balls will be enough to get me through each round. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I feel like a push cart actually takes it out of me more than carrying, especially on hillier courses. Does this ever happen to you?

 

And...good point about not doing it on Fathers Day. I should be focusing on other things that day any way! I think Monday (the 21st) should have plenty enough day time to try this, and the courses will be much more open.

[jpthreesticks]

If you don’t have one already, get one of these. Or find someone who has one you can borrow. 
 

https://ping.com/en-us/shop/bags/carry-bags/moonlite

 

I have a few Sunday/moon bags, and this is the best one that I have found. The double straps are good and it lays with one strap elevated so it’s a quick scoop up and go. 
 

I use it even with a full set in there. 

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, putterboy75 said:

 

Thanks for the tips - yes, I've been walking 18 or so for the past 20 years, but haven't walked 36 in at least 10. I used to run ~50 miles a week before moving to the bike after an injury (fully recovered.) I'm planning to carry but only about half the bag to cut down on weight. Hopefully 3 balls will be enough to get me through each round. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I feel like a push cart actually takes it out of me more than carrying, especially on hillier courses. Does this ever happen to you?

 

And...good point about not doing it on Fathers Day. I should be focusing on other things that day any way! I think Monday (the 21st) should have plenty enough day time to try this, and the courses will be much more open.

One other thing, have you thought about carrying a half set? Just odd or even number irons? That's a lot of weight sdaved over the course of 54 holes.....

[jpthreesticks]

Did you go out yet?

[putterboy75]

 

On 6/22/2021 at 3:04 PM, jpthreesticks said:

Did you go out yet?

 

I sadly woke up last Monday to 40 degrees and 20mph gusts (never surprised anymore with how cold N. Mich. can be in May & June) so I decided to reschedule to July 5th since I have off that day. Thanks for keeping me honest & I'll report back on how I do! 

[charli]

Start early 

[CarlLipbaum]

Apply generous amounts of Gold Bond to your nutsack and grundle.  

[Warrior42111]

1 hour ago, CarlLipbaum said:

Apply generous amounts of Gold Bond to your nutsack and grundle.  

But only the right type, the extra strength foot version stuff on the private bits is not a good time

[bigolherschel]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

 

Did you succeed? 

[cristphoto]

Pray for a cloudy day.  😅    Also good shoes and socks are a must.

[putterboy75]

The bottom line answer is: NO! It was a strong first effort - I made it 45 holes. I blame my shortfall to taking too much time off between rounds.....I ran out of daylight. I probably could have made it 50 holes or if I had decided to start the back 9 of the last course, but I realized I wasn't going to be able to even run 9 holes in the 50 minutes before sunset so just called it a day at 45...

 

My strategy going out was to start as early as possible right when the sun came up which would allow me to be the first off and hopefully finish in ~ 3 hours or so. I started at 7:20am and played the first 18 in 3:30 min which would have been faster if I hadn't had to look for 2 balls thanks to my right to left ball flight (to put it mildly!) The second 18 took a lot longer as expected due to being paired up with 2 riders and general slow play during middle of the day. I thought slow play wouldn't be as much of an issue on Thursday, but I was wrong. This round was close to 4:30 min which looking back put me in the hole for the final 18. I started getting tired on the back 9 and of course this was the hilliest course of the 3 chosen.

 

To all who replied suggesting that I pay extra attention to my socks - I wouldn't have made it past 27 holes without your advice. I happened to be near a running store in Traverse City (one of those independently owned ones that somehow still survives and has all the specialty brands the large stores won't carry) and asked for the best sock to walk / run long distances. I ended up with 3 pairs of compression socks made by Feetures which I switched after each round. Honestly they were so effective in keeping my feet dry and free from any blisters, etc. I felt like I could have played all 3 rounds in just one pair.

 

I wanted to build in a little regroup time between rounds, which I don't regret looking back, but it took a little longer than expected to drive between each course. I decided to hit a few range balls / putts at the last 18 (I didn't make a tee time for this last round because I knew it would be late in the day and empty and I wasn't sure how the previous two rounds would go.) I definitely could have made it to 54 without taking as many breaks between rounds and if I'd have skipped the pre-round activities. No regrets though.

 

I'll try again next year! Thanks for your help and support.