At what age should kids start walking?

[eedsmx691]

I have two boys that love to play golf. One if 9 and the other is 5. When we all go play together (wife, kids, and me) we all ride in carts. I was wondering, when should I start walking with them? I know the 5 year old is probably too young, but what about the 9 year old? My wife and I will walk occasionally, but it's not that often we get to go out without the kids.

[Fourputt]

Take them to a par 3 course or a short Executive 9 hole course and walk. Start them now or they will have the idea that golf is a riding game and it will be hard to get them interested when they have to walk. I see kids that young all the time playing our par 3 course, walking and carrying a kid size bag with only 5 or 6 clubs. Barring that, a 2 or 3 wheel trolley is another way to get them walking without having to lug the whole bag on their backs.

[stianvm]

Just read an article in a Norwegian newspaper that stated that around 70million Americans are dangerously fat, and i cannot help but seeing a pattern.

Here in Norway carts are in most cases reserved for people with either disabilities or an injury. Kids which are old enough to swing a club and get their ball a reasonable distance is old enough to walk.

Walking is not dangerous to your health :)

[HazardMagnet]

Me = 5'6" ~ 150lbs, 34" waist.
Son = 6' ~ 160lbs. 34" waist.
My Lady Friend = 5'3" ~ 150lbs. 36" waist (not Bad at all)

Her daughter = OMG, We're doing our best to keep the statistics low!

[Vinny Cap]

Kids should start walking around 6 to 9 months. LOL, just kidding. My lil guy is 5 and he is just about ready for the local par 3. He wants to ride a cart to see what it is like but I wouldnt take him on a big course yet because he isnt ready for it. A little walking never hurts especially in this age of sit on your butt munching junk food while playing video games, chatting online or watching tv.

[meenman]

Just read an article in a Norwegian newspaper that stated that around 70million Americans are dangerously fat, and i cannot help but seeing a pattern.

unfortunately in the US carts are nothing more than revenue-generators for the courses.

Our choices are to ride 18 or go out after 4pm so we can walk 9 (that does not take into consideration that most courses are built to be unwalkable - as in more distance between greens and tees than there is in the actual course playing length) If the local courses allowed us to walk during normal hours, we would - we are not given the choice

[bkoguy07]

I hate walking. I'll get my exercise else where



6'3" 215lbs 9% body fat with a 32 inch waist. Walking is a waste of time for me on top of that it ruins my post golf workouts lol. Now if I didn't work out then I would definitely walk.

[The Recreational Golfer]

They should start walking the first time they set foot on a golf course. And they have to carry their own bag from the very start, too. This is how I broke my grandson in the game four years ago at age seven. If it's what is expected, they will do it and not think anything of it.

[sean_miller]

They should start walking the first time they set foot on a golf course. And they have to carry their own bag from the very start, too. This is how I broke my grandson in the game four years ago at age seven. If it's what is expected, they will do it and not think anything of it.

Yeah, I think they should learn to walk the course and keep quiet first. They can always learn later how to sit on their bum and ride around like the typical North American Red Breasted fata$$.

[2bGood]

My five year old walks and carries her clubs. We only play a two hole best ball on two 500+ yard par 5's ( I make sure to duff mine if she gets a good one and she never lets me live it down).

She has no problem walking the distance and we have play the two holes twice, and I am sure we could be 9 hole par 3 easy.

[3 wiggle]

I started walking around 8 years old. Had a pull cart at that age. Learned to enjoy it. Grew up on a country club and played alone or with friends most of the time as i got older. They wouldn't let me take a cart untill i was 18. By that time...i didnt want to! It truly is a better game when walked.

[ohiolefty]

Kids should never start walking. It's fun to make fun of fat people.

[Leftygolfer]

I hate walking. I'll get my exercise else where

That is lean for that weight. I'm 6'1 14% body fat 35 inch waste. I work hard in the gym and don't see anything that hurt that by walking. For me walking is a non-workout, just makes the round more pleasant.

I wouldn't get a cart for my boy. He is under four and I've had him and the wife on a par 3. But I will never get a cart. I'm just too cheap.

[jamo]

Get them a little pull cart and they can walk regardless of age.

[Dad-2-3]

My two sons age 9 and 12 have always walked and carried their bags. They started on course at age 7 with a small bag and 3 clubs.

[stianvm]

Me = 5'6" ~ 150lbs, 34" waist.

Sorry, was'nt my intention to insinuate anything, it just clicked with the article i had read.

meenman. It kinda stinks that carting is how its usually done in the states i must say. The times i've rented a cart (sometimes abroad during a 36 hole day) i feel i am missing out on getting to know the course, which i get from walking it. Another thing is that a flight of 4 are reduced to 2 flights of 2, where you meet up on the tee and green for a chat. Not to forget the excerise you get when walking.

[bkoguy07]

That is lean for that weight. I'm 6'1 14% body fat 35 inch waste. I work hard in the gym and don't see anything that hurt that by walking. For me walking is a non-workout, just makes the round more pleasant.

Yeah I am relatively lean for my height and build. Another reason I hate walking is after long distances of carrying my clubs (don't have a rolly cart) my foot starts to hurt. I broke my foot playing sports in high school and it was taken care of at the doctors but if I walk or run 3-4 + miles it starts to hurt maybe from the golf shoes, not so sure... So I don't really like to walk the course. Also I just do cardio at the end of my workouts but if I did decide to walk i wouldn't run as much. Basically it just aggravates my foot and I'm still trying to run at the end of my workouts.