Health Issues with Carrying while walking?

I'm trying to decide whether or not a pushcart is worth it for me and would like some help.

Here's the thing. I genuinely enjoy carrying. But I'm paranoid that in the long term carrying so much (I play a few times a week) will be bad for my back or shoulders or something. Can anyone give me some feedback on this? Is this legitimate concern or just baseless worry?


Some reasons I carry:
--I figure I get more exercise. (important to me but not sure how true)
--Ease of getting out of the car and onto the course.
--One less thing to take up space.
--Cheaper (more on this later)
--I can go wherever I can walk (step across ditches and things -- shortcuts are fun!)


Money is also a small factor. As usually, when I can't decide something I just let the wallet decide. So far, that's why I put off buying the nice pushcart. But lately I was thinking. Longterm, a $200 ClicGear will be pretty cheap... I'm only 21 and I'd use it til it died. I find myself wondering if the general opinion is that pushing or carrying is cheaper in the long run? I mean... If I end up having back problems and have to pay medical expenses from carrying.... I think an argument can be made that in reality, pushing is cheaper than carrying. Not to mention bag wear and tear from pushing vs carrying.

So I'd like some feedback on both the health issue and the money issue. If one or both turn out to support the pushcart I'd rather invest in it sooner as opposed to later.

This is coming from a healthy and fit, athletic 21 year old who doesn't have a history of any kind of physical problem...... but doesn't like to take unnecessary risks when it comes to keeping his body in shape for as long as possible!

If you are really out of shape, maybe start walking (without golfing) for a few weeks. Build yourself up a bit. Then take to the course with a partial set of clubs. Walk nine holes one day and take your time. Then add in some other clubs, playing more frequently, then walk 18 with a full set after a few weeks of walking/playing. Like any excercise, start slowly.

Thanks... I edited the first post to be more clear. Being in shape has nothing to do with my situation. I have no problem walking hilly courses with a full bag of clubs. I'm purely interested in if it'll have any negative effect in the longterm. I've seen tons of studies about the horrors backpacks can do on growing children for example. But I don't really care about studies. I know tons of these guys on here have played this game for a looooong time and could give me some personal experiences on the subject.

For longterm concerns, I say an improvement in your health would be expected. No doubt about it. Mechanical issues in the back and knees would be the only area of concern. Like backpacking, proper fit is important. And don't be too quick to believe the "studies". Many backpackers are carrying over 40 lbs in packs that are ill fitting and not resting on the illiac crest. Same logic could be applied to your 20 lb bag of clubs though. Be sure to invest in a quality walking back with dual straps to displace the weight evenly. Walking rather than riding would serve to improve any golfers cardiovascular health. Can't see anything but good coming from it if you take some basic precautions as with any excercise. Good foot wear would be a must as well. Perhaps get some "Superfeet" insoles. I have some in my hiking boots and work shoes. Worth every dime man.

Its a bit more complex than you would think.
By carrying a bag as well as wear and tear from the extra weight, you also move your C of G, and so adopt poor posture to compensate for this.

I wouldn't say pushcarts are much better though, usually you have to adopt posture to push or pull one, and may even have to twist your spine, which isn't great.

In the end I went for an electric cart, that way I still get to walk, but put no extra strain on my body.

Like you I am in my twenties, and regularly go to the gym and take part in other physical activities. I use the cart to protect my body, although in the winter with bad conditions I will take a carry bag as it is easier, quicker and cleaner. Although I normally drop down to a 1/2 set too.

I think many people look down on me for being young and using the electric cart, and say I should be able to handle more etc, but I don't care. I play golf for fun not exercise, and would rather look after my body.

I met a guy last week , a ranger who said carrying is the only way to enjoy golf, He then proceeds to show me two scars on his shoulders from surgeries to repair damage from carrying bags for over 30 years. GET THE PUSH CART!

A properly carried bag will not do you any damage. Period. The key is to wear it properly.

...and will be actually easier than pushing a cart up hill... try it - you'll see...

Ive carried my bag since the day i picked up a golf club and ive had no problems at all. And i play up to 100 holes a week sometimes. Like the above post says, if you do it right it cant do any damage at all.

start walking everyday for 30 minutes without your clubs and you will notice in 3 to 4 days a big difference in your legs muscles and core muscles getting stronger.

When you walk the course take less clubs in the beginning to lighten your bag until you build up your muscles. Carrying less clubs will make you more creative with you shot making skills.

When you walk everyday slowly start a stretching routine so that you are stretching your core muscles. I recommend Pilaties, Ana Caban, Energy work out.

I also prefer to carry and my good friend carries only 10 clubs and is a 3 handicap golfer.

finally make sure that you are lifting your bag properly bending your legs and not bending your back to pick up your golf bag.

That's one of the many key differences between carrying and wheeling. There is no setting the bag down, picking it up, twisting around to pull clubs, etc. with the pushcart. Plus, with virtually no walking weight, you can carry plenty of drinking water, golf accessories and full complement of clubs. My Sun Mountain cart even has a seat cause there's no benches in the middle of the fairway (at least not the one I was in once). The seat comes in handy when waiting for the group ahead of you to plumb bob their fourth putt. I've walked forever, carried for years. A "good" 3 wheeled pushcart is far better all the way around. As someone prior posted, a remote electric is even better than that. That one shortcut you may miss every few rounds does not make up for the convenience of almost weightless wheels. I live in one of the hilliest areas of the country, even when you do have to push the clubs up the hill, many times you can let them freewheel down the other side! If your friends have one you can bet on the races! Plus, if you ever play in the rain, the umbrella holders work out unbelievably well. No juggling of anything!! Although you look like a New York City hot dog vendor, you and your clubs will stay drier than even your buddies in the covered motorcarts. If you ever tried carrying your bag, setting it down, pulling a club all while juggling an umbrella..... The first time you don't have to do that with your pushcart, you'll be smiling ear to ear. At 21, the amortized cost of your pushcart over your golfing lifetime is absolutely peanuts. Had they been invented when I was 21, I would have been using mine for many years with absolutely no regrets. Pull the trigger. .

I'm just curious, I can't see how you would carry a bag without changing your C of G. By doing this you would have to alter your posture to keep balance. Surely this altered posture would have some effect on you? Maybe not noticeable instantly, or even over a fairly long period, but over many years I believe it would be.

No medical background here but it seems to me that carrying your bag would do you more good than harm. I mean if you have tried it and are really struggling, then obviously you should try a pull-cart. However, if you are reasonably fit, I would think that carrying the extra weight would be a great way to get the heart rate up a little while playing golf. That's what I feel it does for me anyway.
While i have never played with a pull-cart, I must admit that the comments about the umbrella holder excites me! I have never thought about that.

I respect the heck out of all walkers....period. Those of you that carry....well....you are like Lance Armstrongs of golf. I tip my visor to you.

I enjoy walking when the weather is not broiling hot (above mid nineties) and my knees are feeling good. I refuse to carry......ever.

I can pull out my tiny little Clicgear2.0 from it's resting spot in the floorwell of the backseat.....set it on the ground and have it fully deployed into a huge and stable golf platform in much less time than it took you to read this paragraph.....no kidding. Throw on my bag and strap it down and it is ready. It takes three times as long to put on my shoes as it does to prep my cart/bag.

If I ever hit the lottery....I'd buy every golfing buddy of mine one of these awesome carts. They truly rock!!!!

My young son has been getting into the game this past year. He's gonna need his own cart in a month or so. I'm strongly considering getting him one of these, too.

Keep in mind that in Junior Golf, middle school, and high school around here players have to walk and they have to carry their bag. They can't use pull carts. My son played for his middle school this past season (ended at the beginning of April) and he now is an advocate for carrying his clubs. I do have him use a pull cart, but they need to be able to carry their stuff. FYI middle school only plays 6 hole tournaments, but they move up to 9 and 18 holes pretty quick.

Wow....thanks for the update.....I had no idea. Looks like little man better grow accustomed to toting his sticks.

A friend who is 60 and has been playing many years one day talked me into giving up my pull cart and carrying instead, and I've never gone back. I have a minimalist bag (Mizuno Scratch Sac), and he was right -- carrying seems a little less tiring than the pull cart. He has a Ping bag that is made of ripstop nylon and has a handle that is designed to stand up and prevent the need to bend over. My sense is that carrying is not particularly stressful and is not going to setup any kind of overuse issue in my body. I am fit, though.

i have both a carry bag and a staff bag and a Sun Mountain cart. I like to carry, but I use the staff bag/speed cart when it gets hot or really humid out.
As mentionned in another post, I enjoy the speed cart in the rain.

It seems a few of the posters are using the term "pull" cart and "push" cart interchangeably.

They couldn't be more different.....Let me clarify:

PULL cart: Has Two wheels you drag it behind you while teetering as the human fulcrum.

PUSH cart: Has Three wheels and you push it in front of you shopping cart style. (although if you ever need to, you can turn it around and pull it on two wheels)

There is a world of difference in the two styles, PULL carts are Darren Stevens technology.

Bottom line: 2 wheel PULL carts totally suck in comparison to a 3 wheel PUSH cart.

You will now be returned to your regularly scheduled Internet.....