Why do I score better when walking?

[Chipless]

I have started to notice a pattern with regard to my scores when walking versus riding in a cart.  Nearly all of my personal best scores have taken place on days when I was walking.  Has anyone else noticed a similar pattern?  And if so, what causes this?

[Goonsidious]

More calm. Peaceful. Less rushed. One with the course.

It makes sense, and I agree.

When I use a cart.. I feel so rushed and out of sync. Hit.. get in the cart and drive fast to the ball, get out, pick a club, hit, get in the cart, drive fast to the ball, get out, club, hit. etc etc..

I love walking.

[zeg]

I find I perform about the same, but the rounds feel very different.

There are both positive and negative effects when comparing walking and riding. As was covered above, walking can provide a better pace, or at least sense of pace. It also forces you to take some time to calm down after a bad shot---it's hard to stew while you're walking down the fairway. You get a long look at your upcoming shot, and have time to mull over your club choice before you get to the ball. You'll probably wait less, or at least no more, for each stroke than when riding, and that can often help one's game. You are also going to have all your clubs with you on every stroke, whereas an efficient rider will sometimes grab a couple guesses at the next club and then walk to their ball---sometimes this can push you to play with an incorrect or suboptimal club choice (obviously this can be managed, but many people don't.)

The big, obvious benefit of riding is less fatigue. Especially on a hilly course, hiking 4-5 miles or more will wear you down by the end. For the more social golfers, sharing a cart and having time for conversations may help relax them. Since you're moving faster down the fairway, you may be more effective at finding lost balls, although this depends a lot on the situation and sometimes walking is better. You can also carry more equipment, drinks, etc, which can help.

Overall, I don't find it to be a huge effect, and I don't think one is "better" for everyone. Whatever you practice most is likely to help you score better.

[VegasRenegade]

I do much better when walking if playing only 9 holes.;  I tend to play to fast any way so with a cart if no one is in front of me I fly and if they are I get steamed from having to wait. Not good for my scores. However after about 12 holes I begin to feel wore down and scores start to slip.

[Pablo68]

I usually shoot several shots lower when walking as opposed to riding. My betting friends will usually try to pick courses that are difficult to walk so I'm forced to ride and may be easier to beat.

As someone else indicated, there's more time to walk/shake off those bad shots. Also, you get a much better feel for distance (assuming you don't have a range finder). You also feel better about yourself in that you're getting exercise and enjoying the sights and sounds out there.

One thing that I hate seeing is the teenage golfer using carts. Make them walk.............they spend enough time in front of the t.v. Go get some exercise damn it.

Lastly, I hate paying $15.00 for cart fees regardless of if I'm riding with someone or alone. I think next time I'll insist on taking my own cart.

[Paradox]

I am not able to walk a golf course anymore for various reasons(the hills and what not wreak havoc on my knees and achilles) but I'm kind of the same in that when I play solo...I hit many more solid shots due to not having a sense of "going ahead and playing" or whatever.  I take the time to focus on my next shot and relax and zone in each time and then "take a break" as I ride to my next shot.  No worrying about having a conversation or helping someone find a ball or anything..just me playing.

[zeg]

Originally Posted by Pablo68

Lastly, I hate paying $15.00 for cart fees regardless of if I'm riding with someone or alone. I think next time I'll insist on taking my own cart.

Yeah, this bothers me, too. I've seen a few courses who charge less for a shared cart, and this makes sense. I'd be happiest if they just charged a fee to rent a cart, so it'd cost half as much if you shared it. Though I can imagine that a cart drives a bit farther with two riders, so it's not ludicrous to pay a bit more for two than for one.

My dad really flips out when a course insists on charging a full cart price and then requiring that riders share. In his case, it's because his usual partner is a doctor who gets paged out of the middle of a round fairly often. This creates a huge PITA if they're sharing a cart.

[sean_miller]

I play better on foot because it's all about me when walking and carrying.

[cooke119]

I like to walk and I play better. When I share a ride (rarely get a cart to myself), I'm on one side of the fairway my partner is on the other. I'm looking for his ball, forget where mine is. It is just a pain in the ass. When I walk I have all my clubs with me, I can take my time, think about the shot, I don't have someone sitting in the cart waiting for me...... it's just a nicer way to play. But I have trouble walking 18 these day, I run out of gas along about the 15th or 16th hole, especailly if it is hilly. But if I'm playing nine, I will walk.

[Topper]

Originally Posted by Goonsidious

More calm. Peaceful. Less rushed. One with the course.

It makes sense, and I agree.

When I use a cart.. I feel so rushed and out of sync. Hit.. get in the cart and drive fast to the ball, get out, pick a club, hit, get in the cart, drive fast to the ball, get out, club, hit. etc etc..

I love walking.

+1

Golf is a different game when you walk.

[NuclearMike]

I think that seeing everything in front of you when you can walk directly to the ball can change one's perspective.  I can't walk a course (barely a hole, now) and miss the days when I could.  I felt more at peace and more "connected" to the course when I walked, if that makes any sense to anyone but me.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by NuclearMike

I think that seeing everything in front of you when you can walk directly to the ball can change one's perspective.  I can't walk a course (barely a hole, now) and miss the days when I could.  I felt more at peace and more "connected" to the course when I walked, if that makes any sense to anyone but me.

My favourite golf memories aren't always good shots or low scores. They often involve strolling down the fairway with a friend or my brother. Sometimes there was a good cigar and a flask of something good to sip, but almost always near the end of the season and always on foot. No scorecard. Just appreciating being able play a game we love.

[RoyHotPower]

I always played a 'new to me' course better if I walked it.  I think it allowed my mind to take everything in and sort better all the sensory input.  Plus I think it was just the physical activity of keeping loose through walking.