Am I in the minority? I still CARRY my clubs

[jewestcoast]

I play at a local muni in the Men's Club and have noticed that of the approximately 60-80 guys that play each week only about 2 or 3 of us carry our own clubs. About 15% use power carts (mostly the older guys) and the rest use pull carts.

Question: Do you think that carrying clubs for 18 holes is a cause of fatigue? If not, why do most of our guys do it?

I realize factors that could increase the chances of someone using a pullcart are:
Heat/humidity
Physical health/Strength
Age

At 43 years old and in good health I can't imagine a need to not carry them.

Just curious.
Thanks!

[Fourputt]

I play at a local muni in the Men's Club and have noticed that of the approximately 60-80 guys that play each week only about 2 or 3 of us carry our own clubs. About 15% use power carts (mostly the older guys) and the rest use pull carts.

When I was your age I carried all the time too. I still carried several 9 hole rounds (and a couple of 18 holers) this spring, but it gets to my back and knees eventually when I do. And pushing my Speed Cart is hard on my back too. I tried 9 holes a couple of weeks ago and wasn't sure I was going to make it back to the clubhouse. Now I guess I'm relegated to riding.... I like to walk, but as far as the game is concerned, I can score the same either way.

[denver_nuggs_15]

It is statistically proven that walkers lose 2-3 shots per round because of fatigue through the round. However, walkers live an average of 5 years longer than riders. I forgot where I found these stats but they're interesting.

[geezer]

Statistics show that 75% of statistics are made up.

I don't see it making a difference, to me anyway. I carry or use a pull cart equally, about 50:50. I don't notice a huge difference in my scores. But that's probably because my scores are so inconsistent that I just don't notice the differences!
I know I certainly feel better when I carry, and I apperciate not having an akward cart to manouver about the course.

[Sherlockian]

From my experience(especially the past few weeks, playing public/munis) you and I are definately in the minority. I have always walked and carried my own clubs. I believe it is an essential part of the game. From seeing some of the guys that were riding, they could stand to walk a little. It would probably help their games and health. I never thought golf was a game of racing carts, swigging beer, and smoking cigars.

[Harold]

I'm in the low 40's and I still carry. I believe on most normal days or courses walking and carrying detriments are offset by by the benefits. On hot days and or on courses that are long with hills, especially ones in development areas with large gaps between holes it takes strokes away. Golfing a bunch of days in row has the same effect. I do prefer to walk and carry but am smart about it. I also know the day is coming when it will be time to get a push cart. Long term health is important and carrying 30 pounds of golf stuff isn't getting any easier.

[McGolf-Doggie]

I play at a local muni in the Men's Club and have noticed that of the approximately 60-80 guys that play each week only about 2 or 3 of us carry our own clubs. About 15% use power carts (mostly the older guys) and the rest use pull carts.

When I was 43 I wanted to walk and carry at every opportunity. I thought it was THE way to go.

Had a few nasty surprises in the health department in the last 4 years, despite my best efforts, and at 47 going on 48 I'll still walk and use the pull cart more often. However, if it's hot I'll gladly use a motorized cart. Sometimes, even using cart paths i get a fair bit of jogging in during a round, thanks to some errant tee shots and other flubs.

[Jay-Bird]

It is statistically proven that walkers lose 2-3 shots per round because of fatigue through the round. However, walkers live an average of 5 years longer than riders. I forgot where I found these stats but they're interesting.

My statistics (the only stats that matter) show that when I ride I play significantly worse. I cannot get into a groove riding. It's not even fun for me, and it costs an absurd amount to rent a cart (IMO).

Walking 18 gets me 4.03 miles of walking-and-carrying exercise.

[ks8829]

Statistics show that 75% of statistics are made up.

I only believe your statistic by 25%, I still carry at 51 years old, infact with 14 clubs and a drink my bag weight about 20 pounds. I enjoy carrying but I do feel tired on the back nine especially the last 3 holes, I find that I make bad decisions and have more of a tendency to boogie the last few holes.

[mirv]

i'm 29 and i still carry my clubs unless i'm playing with my dad. my dad's legs are getting weak (he's 63) and he's got his own cart, so whenever we play, it's the cart, but if i'm by myself, i'll sling the bag over my back and start walking. my reason for doing it, though, is that i need the exercise. i was a good 100 lbs overweight four years ago, and i've lost 50 of it without changing my diet significantly - i just get out and walk the course and carry my clubs. i usually drop a good 10-15 lbs per summer, but then end up gaining 5 or so back in the winter months.

[ganjagolfer]

It is statistically proven that walkers lose 2-3 shots per round because of fatigue through the round. However, walkers live an average of 5 years longer than riders. I forgot where I found these stats but they're interesting.

i think its better to have a lower score than to live longer, quality before quanity

[Fat Slice]

I had spinal surgery (thoracic) that makes it a bad idea to carry much weight. Luckily, torque isn't a problem - just compression. The best for me is a push-cart. Ride-in carts can be a problem if someone else is driving and they go fast over big bumps. I always ask to drive and explain why. Still, I prefer my clic gear.

[King Cobra II]

I pretty much only carry, unless I'm playing more then 18 holes. But then again I'm 17 years old. I'm also from New England, so playing in this whether ( anywhere from 20-40) I need to walk to keep my body warm and loose. I think walking helps me appreciate the game, and I think that I made better decisions. I have more time to think about what shot I'm going to hit and what not.

[microcrayfish]

I've switched from pulling to carrying in the last 6 months and can't see myself going back any time soon, mind you I'm only 21. I never ride I just can't get in a groove and why miss out on all the good exercise?

The thing with carrying your clubs and fatigue is that if you always carry your clubs your body gets used to it and you don't get fatigued. I can walk 18 holes carrying my clubs and feel just fine when I'm done. If you did a study and got people who never carry their clubs to see how they shot when they did of course they'll be dropping shots.

[zeg]

I'm 31 and always carry. Partly it's the expense, but mostly I just like it. I definitely prefer walking to riding -- the pace is better and you get a better feel for the course. In a cart, you tend to let your mind either focus on the driving or just wander if you're the passenger. Walking really helps keep focused. Especially after a bad shot, a 3 minute walk is a GREAT way to regain composure.

I don't really oppose a pushcart, but I'm still in good enough shape that I appreciate the extra exercise. Actually, I have pretty bad joint problems due to psoriatic arthritis, but it doesn't affect my ability to carry the bag.

[glebert]

I always carry. Today I was behind a foursome of a grandfather and his three teenage grandsons. The grandfather was carrying and the kids were driving carts. WTF?

[JessN16]

If I ain't ridin', I ain't playin'. And I'm just 35.

Sure, it would be a health benefit to me to walk it, but I've got two bad knees and if I walk, I won't enjoy my round. The biggest problem for me is, even if I wanted to walk 18 at this point, I probably couldn't -- especially not on a course with any hills at all. Even if I were to take my time, the combination of torquing on my knee coupled with the impacts of the steps would probably cause me to pull up lame about 13-14 holes in.

'Course, I'm much more of a "casual golfer" than a lot of you guys, so for my game, I don't really feel like I'm missing out on much.

Jess

[Spackler-esque]

I carry every chance I get. In fact, I hate it when courses require that you ride. This has happened to me on a number of occasions. The worst part is when you look at the receipt and there is the greens fee and then the separate cart fee that you're required to pay. Ugh...

I mean, I'm 24. I'm young but have a bum foot/ankle I'll probably need surgery on eventually. Still, it's so much more therapeutic to walk.

If nothing else, walking is such a great way to get out and enjoy the weather, regardless of whether it's beautiful or shitty. If I'm walking a course there's almost never a place I'd rather be (unless it starts hailing. That just sucks!).