Do You Prefer to Walk or Ride?

[TheWarHound]

When I first started playing, all my buddies rode the carts. Then, after joining here, and reading a lot of posts, I bought a cart and started walking. Now, my buddies and I walk when the weather is good. In April, I am joining a small country club that is between my house and work, and walking after work for the exercise. My friends think I am nuts, but walking 9 everyday over hill and dell (mostly hill) sounds like a better way for me to get in shape than hitting the gym.

Steve

[lumpuckeroo]

I read that on a website somewhere and can't remember where. A study was done on how many calories you burned and the effect on your game, riding a cart, pushing a cart, pulling a cart, and carrying a bag. Basically the conclusion was that carrying a bag burned the most calories but you could lose strokes due to fatigue and pushing or pulling a cart was a close second on calories burned and less fatigue.

[George]

I prefer to walk, as long as I'm feeling good. If I'm playing with a group that rides, I'll also ride.

[Snake]

I can't remember the last time I walked. Probably when I was a kid "caddying" for my dad. All the guys I usually play with ride, so I ride. Plus it helps with speed of play.

[tjy355]

... All the guys I usually play with ride, so I ride. Plus it helps with speed of play.

This is an often repeated misconception. In most situations, carts do not help speed the pace of play, nor does walking slow the pace of play. In MANY situations, carts actually contribute to a slower pace of play.

[David in FL]

I love to walk. Unfortunately, it's tough to find courses that allow it anymore.

I'd kill to see a good caddy program these days, but the sad truth is, carts are easier (and cheaper) to manage than caddies.

[CosmosMpower]

I've been doing about 50/50. But plan to buy a Clicgear 2.0 then walk exclusively (except maybe during the summer when it's 100+)

[ChiChiIsMe]

Almost always walk. Use a push-cart. Our 4some plays faster that 75% of the 4somes out there in riding carts as well.

[wachesawgolfer]

I prefer to walk, as long as I'm feeling good. If I'm playing with a group that rides, I'll also ride.

That is me exactly. If something hurts, I ride. I am finding also carrying the clubs is similar to a heavy backpack which they say is destroying our children due to the extreme forward head position to balance the weight on the back. So walkers may end up with upper back, neck and shoulder pain they did not expect.

The ideal world is to use a caddy.

[AbsoluteZero]

This is an often repeated misconception. In most situations, carts do not help speed the pace of play, nor does walking slow the pace of play. In MANY situations, carts actually contribute to a slower pace of play.

I agree with this. The course I play most often has a 90 degree rule every time a cloud shows up in the sky, so it takes forever to drive around the course. Especially when my partner and I tend to hit the ball in very different locations on the course.

[AbsoluteZero]

That is me exactly. If something hurts, I ride. I am finding also carrying the clubs is similar to a heavy backpack which they say is destroying our children due to the extreme forward head position to balance the weight on the back. So walkers may end up with upper back, neck and shoulder pain they did not expect.

Then you only give them "upper back, neck and shoulder pain"

[goblue107501]

I usually always ride. I don't get to play as much as some, so I like to treat it as an enjoyable afternoon out. Walking 18 in the heat and humidity is not enjoyable.

[glebert]

I pretty much walk exclusively, with a carry bag. I think I've ridden maybe twice ever. The last time I rode was because I was trying to squeeze in a quick 9 before it got dark and the guy threw the cart in for free. I didn't really like it though.

[Eeryck]

Do you have a source for this tid bit? It sounds an aweful lot like hype and speculation.

It is an often quoted factoid.

The 5-years increased life expectancy was based on average walking distance playing a round of 18 with some average number of rounds per year. I don't remember the exact numbers for rounds or estimated distance walked per round. Basically they used that to say if you walk 500 miles (or whatever number they actually calculated) a year your cardiovascular health is that much better and you will live longer than someone that does not walk that ammount all other things equal. I believe the fatigue part was measured with golfers in a certain handicap range with 50% walking and 50% riding then they did averaging and analysis and came up with 3-strokes. Sorry I don't have the exact source but I have read it several times, for what it is worth. -E Edit: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/b...s-good-fo.html source article. It links to a Swedish study with the details.

[bcollins]

In the summers I like to play early in the morning and I'll usually walk those rounds. It is really relaxing for me to be our there when the course is fairly quiet and peaceful.

Any other time I tend to ride. I don't really like to be the guy in a foursome who walks when everyone else is riding.

[Andy_Mac]

Walking most all the time... lost 20 pounds last summer walking when I played golf.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I walk 95% of the time. The only times i really ride is when the course demands I use a cart or im playing in a scramble. I see walking as a condition of the game. Taking a cart from my POV is like playing basketball in a wheelchair.

[denver_nuggs_15]

I prefer to walk. I convinced my dad to walk with me now, and he said he loves it. I always feel like I can talk more with the guys I'm golfing with. Golf is a social game. Plus, I had a bad experience with a cart, so no more carts for a while!

This is an often repeated misconception. In most situations, carts do not help speed the pace of play, nor does walking slow the pace of play. In MANY situations, carts actually contribute to a slower pace of play.

Having worked as a caddie for some time now, I think carts are slightly faster if used properly. It all depends on the golfers' playing abilities. Really bad players should use carts. Really good players could do either and it wouldn't matter. It depends on the golfer's game.