Do You Prefer to Walk or Ride?

[JonMA1]

I prefer to walk 9 or 18. While most of my better scores have come when riding, I'm not sure that means much. I've shot some crappy scores while riding as well.

I also like the exercise. Even though I've started working out again, walking the course at a fast pace - even running at times - helps burn calories. I will lose almost 10 lbs during the golf season, only to gain it back again during the winter months. (It's a vicious cycle.)

2 hours ago, todgot said:

I walk most of the time because I'm a cheap bastard. 

Same here.

I mostly ride when playing with someone who prefers not to walk. My membership includes reciprocal deals at other clubs. The rounds at these courses are "free" if you pay for a cart, or you can pay the normal rate to walk. It's usually a wash so I'll opt for the cart.

[Jack Watson]

I like walking the course but it depends on the course!  There's one near me I play that's so hilly with long distance between green and next tee box walking doesn't make sense.

[dennyjones]

A cart comes with my membership.  I use it. 

[grubby98]

I prefer both...If I am only going to play 1 round, I want to walk.  If I am able to play all day I want to ride.  When I say play all day, I mean 54 holes.  Even when I play all day I might walk the middle 18 as the course gets slow at that time.  But we are always first group off and then normally our last round we are only ones left.

[boogielicious]

Unless the course is really hilly, or has long walks between holes, I like to walk. I get distracted in carts and don't pay attention to the course as much.

[David in FL]

12 hours ago, freshmanUTA said:

I only score rounds for handicap when I walk. I kinda feel like it's cheating otherwise. Even though there is literally no change in score between myself walking and riding(I shoot maybe 1 or 2 strokes better when I walk).

If you otherwise meet the requirements for posting a score, you're cheating if you don't post a score when you ride.  

For those interested, a search will bring you to many other threads on this very topic.  Probably only surpassed by the number of "I wanna be a Tour Pro" or "cast vs forged irons" threads...

 

[jamo]

I much prefer walking, for 9 or 18 holes. I recently started using a push cart again, which makes it even more enjoyable. I doubt there's much of an affect on my scores either way.

[chilepepper]

I prefer to walk but it really all depends on the course layout and distance between holes. 

[nevets88]

Where's the Golfboard option? It's not walking, it's not riding, it's... something. 

[MrDC]

Walking it all of course, barring those tracks that cannot be walked, but that's irrelevant for this discussion.

I play better walking, golf is a game that requires strong legs and walking gets them going, activates the glutes.

On a side note I think slow play can be easily fixed by getting rid of carts (buggies), the mixing of walkers and carts is probably the #1 reason for pace issues.

Edited May 11, 2017 by MrDC

[Kalnoky]

Walk all the time: 9 holes I carry my bag, 18 holes I use a pushcart. 

6 minutes ago, MrDC said:

On a side note I think slow play can be easily fixed by getting rid of carts (buggies), the mixing of walkers and carts is probably the #1 reason for pace issues.

I hate carts. This is the preferred modus operandi for people who have no business being on a golf course, which in my experience is the bulk of cart users. Swerving and carving like they're riding quads at the dunes, can of cheap swill in hand. They use the carts to give themselves slack, and this stop/start and push/pull action has the ripple effect of slowing the entire procession down. 

With apologies to the guys who can play 18 holes in under 3 hours, I know you guys like to ride. But you're also 1. obviously good from a mile off, and 2. in the minority.

 

[Missouri Swede]

17 hours ago, Fourputt said:

I am no longer physically capable of walking even 9 holes, so I don't worry about it.  

And I was hoping we could convince you to caddie for @Pretzel!

[NCGolfer]

Walk.  Walk.  No difference.

I grew up walking since I played a shorter public course and, well, we really didn't have money to get a cart.  I still walk today whenever I'm allowed/able to.  Mostly it is for the exercise and that it also lets me think a bit between shots (especially when I'm playing by myself.)   I don't mind taking a cart but in individual tournaments I'd rather be carrying my bag and not sharing the cart with a competitor.  Just my preference.

[NJpatbee]

I will walk my local 9 hole executive course but much prefer to ride on full length courses.  I started playing at age 40 and already had a back like a potato chip so that is one factor.  At age 65 and with the layout of most courses in my area the cart is a blessing.

[WUTiger]

Walking not always a choice. Sometimes course rules say no.

Also, walking doesn't work well if you play a course where it's 500 yards between the green and the next tee box. (Those "residential development" courses we complain about.)

 

[No Mulligans]

I estimate that I walk at least 9 out of 10 times I play golf (I use a push cart).  I often play an executive 18 and an executive 9 but I like to walk the big courses also if they are good walking courses.  I like getting the additional exercise. I like the "feel" of a course when walking as I feel more a part of the course, I can enjoy the details of the course and nature better.  I like that when walking I more often have all my clubs with me as I get to the ball.  I like the additional focus on my game when walking, most often I'm walking straight to my ball, sizing up my next shot while walking to the ball, and paying less attention to my playing partners situations.

I sometimes ride even on good walking courses.  That is determined by the temperature and/or what else I have going on after the round.  I'll ride if I think walking will wear me out too much for later activities.  (I'm 59 and do have some chronic health issues).

I play better when I walk.

Edited May 11, 2017 by No Mulligans

[krupa]

When I walk, I carry my clubs.  With a wonky back, I can't walk 18 with my clubs on my back.  I've also had troubles walking 18 with a push-cart... so 18 with a cart is how I roll (literally).

[oregongolfguy]

I very much prefer to walk.  I just enjoy it more, feel like im in the round more.  I feel like it allows me to learn the course better.  I don't have anything against carts if used responsibly, but i like my clicgear walking.