How Many Of You Guys Are Crazy Like Me And Walk When It's Almost 100 Degrees?

[596]

67 years old and walk even in the FL heat and humidity.  Normal for us right now is mid 90s,  50 to 60 % humidity and heat index over 100.  I've walked with temps well into the 100s in Arizona.  

 

As far as I'm concerned, walking is part of the game of golf.  I walk to be alone, take my time, enjoy the day, and the exercise. 

[zonadub]

67 years old, as well. Walk every round and play about 5 times a week. Could be 9, 12 or 18 holes after work. (have a desk job 5 - 1:30, so the walking is good for me) 18 holes on weekends. But, as I get older, I am finding that I am getting less tolerant of the Arizona heat. Funny thing, my remote control cart stops working at about 95 degrees, so when it is the hottest, it’s back to the Jones bag or the Sun Mountain Speed cart.

[Benkross]

5 hours ago, jvincent said:

My worst ever walk was Bethpage Black.

 

99* with a humidex of 105* IIRC. I've never drunk that much liquid on a golf course.

I played Black a couple weeks ago in 95* and 90% humidity. Thankfully I bought a tiny bag and drank as much water as I could. I was done after about 12 holes and just barely survived. Carts should be banned except for seniors or the handicapped 

[Nard_S]

59, carry is default but will use robo-caddy on occasion. Used to it with work.

Edited August 3, 2022 by Nard_S

[Hickory4ever]

I am 68 and play almost every day, regardless of the temperature. I walk 90% of the time, the only exceptions being courses with mandatory carts or for a break when playing every day in sticky, humid conditions. I play better when I walk and feel that exercise is important and a part of the game.

 

I carried my clubs up until eleven years ago. I now use a push cart (ClicGear), largely to reduce the strain on a bad knee.

[deadsolid...shank]

6 hours ago, rd1959 said:

I'm 63, overweight. congestive heart disease, diabetic, and a pack a day smoker. I'll walk 9 in that kind of heat. By the end of the round I'm usually sucking wind but, I get some exercise, get my heart rate up (way up lol) and I lose about 5-6 lbs. of water weight.
 The doctors always try to discourage me but, I'm old and ornery and, due to my family history, seem to live into their 80s regardless of what they do to themselves. 
 So, if you're ever playing golf and I die in front of you, either push me off to the side or mark me as a hazard and keep going. There seems to be plenty of rules that cover immovable objects, unplayable lies, free relief... take your pick. 😁

You should carry a can of white spray paint with you. Then when you croak in front of someone they can mark you as GUR!

 

Good genes matter more than anything don’t they!

 

Im a couple weeks from turning 59. And I’m incredibly cheap. When I worked part time at the course I didn’t have to pay for a cart. So I rode every round.  Now that I have to pay, I’ve walked every round. If it’s league (where it’s been mid 90’s for our afternoon start), 9 holes I carry my bag. If it’s a weekend 18 hole round I push.  Fortunately the heat doesn’t bother me too much. 

[tatertot]

I carried a couple weeks ago in 99+ with high humidity ... through up in the shower afterward. Might have had a little heat exhaustion. Lots of hydration, too. Just couldn't seem to get enough.

Edited August 3, 2022 by tatertot

[RSinSG]

I posted this in another thread and I’m not sure people believed it. I was riding but even in a cart we couldn’t finish. It’s was dead clam and super humid. 
 

We didn’t finish the round. I don’t think anyone could have walked 18 without severe consequences. Imagine checking a pizza in the oven and think of the blast of heat that hits you in the face. Brutal. 

[jdl]

I walked last weekend when it was mid 90s and will walk again Thursday when we're supposed to get similar temps. I will admit the course I'm playing is really short, compact and a very easy walk. 😀 Double Gatorade day for sure.

[drumdude96]

14 minutes ago, jdl said:

I walked last weekend when it was mid 90s and will walk again Thursday when we're supposed to get similar temps. I will admit the course I'm playing is really short, compact and a very easy walk. 😀 Double Gatorade day for sure.

The big Gatorades! Not the little 20 ouncers! I always take at least 6 of the 1/2 liter bottles of water when I get out in that kind of heat plus high humidity. Crazy that you can drink 3 bottles of water per 9 and sweat so much that you never even have to urinate.

[rd1959]

45 minutes ago, deadsolid...shank said:

You should carry a can of white spray paint with you. Then when you croak in front of someone they can mark you as GUR!

 

Good genes matter more than anything don’t they!

 

Im a couple weeks from turning 59. And I’m incredibly cheap. When I worked part time at the course I didn’t have to pay for a cart. So I rode every round.  Now that I have to pay, I’ve walked every round. If it’s league (where it’s been mid 90’s for our afternoon start), 9 holes I carry my bag. If it’s a weekend 18 hole round I push.  Fortunately the heat doesn’t bother me too much. 

See, I knew there was a rule that would cover the situation. I'm not sure if it's good genes or just plain ignorance. 😁

[rd1959]

27 minutes ago, RSinSG said:

I posted this in another thread and I’m not sure people believed it. I was riding but even in a cart we couldn’t finish. It’s was dead clam and super humid. 
 

We didn’t finish the round. I don’t think anyone could have walked 18 without severe consequences. Imagine checking a pizza in the oven and think of the blast of heat that hits you in the face. Brutal. 

A temp that high, I think would require a couple of siestas along the way.

[chisag]

... I play 300+ rounds a year and walk with a remote cart fall/winter/spring but once the temp reaches triple digits I am riding in a cart. Phoenix has too many cloudless days and in the direct sun with 100+ temps at age 69 I just don't chance it. I walked one day at 102* with no wind and bright sun I felt like I was close to heat stroke and it was a little scary. On the flip side I also play in a cart up to 112* but anything hotter and I take a day off. 

[rd1959]

9 hours ago, chisag said:

... I play 300+ rounds a year and walk with a remote cart fall/winter/spring but once the temp reaches triple digits I am riding in a cart. Phoenix has too many cloudless days and in the direct sun with 100+ temps at age 69 I just don't chance it. I walked one day at 102* with no wind and bright sun I felt like I was close to heat stroke and it was a little scary. On the flip side I also play in a cart up to 112* but anything hotter and I take a day off. 

The course I play all the fairways are tree lined so there's plenty of shade. That "dry heat" ya'll have out west is more difficult than the humidity here in NC. I've lived in the south all my life so I'm used to instant sweat and fogged up glasses when I walk outside. It's part of the reason Southerners speak slower and use a lot of contracted words... It's just too hot to say the complete words. 😁

Edited August 3, 2022 by rd1959

[lefty1978]

I'm 44 in great shape, I'll definitely ride a cart in that type of heat. Guy at my club, who is my age and always walks, got heat stoke last summer after a round in the clubhouse. Pretty scary.

[SteelieD]

I’m 57. Just finished 18 here in Sacramento at 102° today.  Push cart when it gets over 90° but I’m always walking. 
 

Best back 9 in awhile tonight too, 2 over. The front, not so much. 😂

Edited August 3, 2022 by SteelieD
102° today!

[mshills]

If I ever had the opportunity (some might call it a curse) to run a golf course, I’d be certain to have the funds for clean water coolers with fresh water on every other tee box. So important, and unfortunately so rare. 

[kmay__]

Walk every week in mens league no matter the weather (got absolutley soaked in a downpour last week lol) and we do as many holes as possible til dark. So teeing off around 5-530 we miss the peak of the days heat but some weeks are still brutal. 

[JimmyC59]

I'm 62, I not only walk, I jog from shot to shot. Not the whole length of the hole, but at least 150-200 yards on every hole.

[Argonne69]

The only time I ride these days is when they require a cart, and even then I kvetch about it. I've walked over 550 rounds since I retired in November 2019, and carried ~450 of those rounds. I've lost 45 lbs since then, and hope to lose another 20.

 

'Don't remember the last time I didn't walk because of the heat and/or humidity. On really hot days I'll open my umbrella for the shade. The biggest issue I run into is the lack of drinking water on some courses. Since the pandemic, it seems more courses aren't putting out water jugs, and don't have fountains or restrooms w/ potable water. One can only carry so much water. Out and back layouts are tough when you can't fill a water bottle at the turn.

 

[jordan2240]

62 in PA and walk exclusively regardless of heat.  I will say that the best golf purchase I ever made is my electric (non-remote) cart, as it makes walking even more enjoyable.  I hate to see young guys riding around in carts because it just screams "entitled" to me.  I have ridden a cart, but I find the game much more enjoyable when walking from the standpoint of not only staying loose but also taking in the atmosphere.  And I figure I at least got some benefit from the round even if the golf stunk. 

[Rosco1216]

39 now. Before I joined my private club in march i always walked. Now, I always ride. I still plan to walk for most of my winter rounds but I joined this club to essentially buy time. Carts are included and I get 3-4 9 hole rounds during the week either during lunch or after work in 1.5 hours or less.  Plus my weekend games are with multiple groups and they all ride. 

[TBD203]

I walk 80+% of the time. I have ridden a few times this year due to foot injuries and twice due to weather over 95 degrees and humid. My course also doesn't allow push carts until the afternoon, and we always play at 7:20, so we're carrying with no umbrella. But I don't consider myself a weenie even at 32 years old!

[596]

29 minutes ago, JimmyC59 said:

I'm 62, I not only walk, I jog from shot to shot. Not the whole length of the hole, but at least 150-200 yards on every hole.

When I played in Arizona I used to run 9.  I was a triathlete at the time. 55 years old.  With a full bag my record was 45 minutes and shot 34.  3 birdies and 1 bogey. 

Edited August 3, 2022 by 596

[TBD203]

1 minute ago, 596 said:

When I played in Arizona I used to run 9.  I was a triathlete at the time. 55 years old.  With a full bag my record was 35 minutes and shot 34.  3 birdies and 1 bogey. 

I tried this a few times at my previous course. I did 18 walking in an hour and 37 minutes. But it's not nearly as fun... not exactly easy to hit delicate chips after sprinting uphill and being winded.

[596]

Just now, TBD203 said:

I tried this a few times at my previous course. I did 18 walking in an hour and 37 minutes. But it's not nearly as fun... not exactly easy to hit delicate chips after sprinting uphill and being winded.

Mis typed on the time, it was 45. 

[acegolfer]

50yo and will carry/walk any time. Unfortunately, most courses in FL don't allow walking. 

[bluedot]

I’m 70, and walk regardless of the temperature. I’m in Piedmont NC, so the heat and humidity are fairly intense.  I’m fit, and maybe more importantly, acclimated to the heat because I walk year round.  I just tied for first low net in my club’s Senior championship; I was one of only three guys that walked both days.

 

I have made some concessions, though. I use an electric cart now, and I do ride when I’m in a two man competition because I don’t want to get tired and let my partner down late in a round, or at least have him worry that I might.

 

Really, the walking is almost as important to me as the golf itself, and it’ll be interesting to see see if I keep playing when I can’t walk regularly.

 

As to the young guys who ride, it just stuns me every time I see it.  Knowing what we know about the benefits of walking, the idea of paying an additional $20+ to AVOID exercise is something I just don’t get.  

[mshills]

This is a really interesting sample, and seems to align with what I see anecdotally out there.  It's more likely that players over 50, over 60, or over 70 walk.

 

I wonder how much is cultural and how much is paying more attention to health as you reach those round numbers in age.

 

I am 46 and am considered kind of weird -- lots of guys I play with my age or younger have no interest at all in walking and do not think it is possible for me to keep pace.  I don't always prove them wrong, but I often do.

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, TBD203 said:

I walk 80+% of the time. I have ridden a few times this year due to foot injuries and twice due to weather over 95 degrees and humid. My course also doesn't allow push carts until the afternoon, and we always play at 7:20, so we're carrying with no umbrella. But I don't consider myself a weenie even at 32 years old!

 

I've never figured out the no-carts-until-afternoon thing. What's the "rationale"?