5 Reasons To Walk The Golf Course

If you're here, you already know how awesome golf is.  If you do it right, golf is a fun, social sport that can be a major stress reliever.  That being said, if you're not doing it right, your round of golf might be more stressful than you planned.  No matter how you play, just getting out with some friends is never time wasted.  And we all know that it beats spending an afternoon at the office.

The stats are interesting - in roughly 70% of rounds played golfers rode in a cart.  No judgement here, some people need a cart to get around the course and some just really like driving a cart (even with the governer putting a limit on how much fun you can really have.  However, more people are ditching the cart in favor of hoofing it and if you can, walking a round is one of the best things you can do for your health.  

Here are 5 good reasons to start walking the course:
 

1. Walking Burns More Calories

If you're looking for a decent workout, golf can be a sneaky good way to burn some calories.  Walking one 18-hole round can burn between 800 and 1,500 calories, which is more than a lot of gym workouts and probably a million times more fun.  Because you're out enjoying a sport, most people don't even realize or focus on their calorie burn, which is what makes golf such a great way to get a workout in.

2. Walking Takes You Farther

In addition to burning a boatload of calories, you can pack on a lot of miles if you walk the golf course.  You can actually trek up to 5 miles in one 18-hole round and a whole lot more if your shots don't hit the fairway.  Many people use fitness trackers that set a step goal and walking while golfing is pretty much guaranteed to help you reach that goal.

3. Walking Costs Less

If you've played golf, you probably already know this, but walking is cheaper than riding.  You pay cart fees when you ride, which you don't have to shell out if you opt to walk the course.  And who doesn't want to save a buck or two?  That's just a few more beverages you can grab from the beer cart.

4. Walking is More Efficient

Golf carts might move faster but they aren't always the most efficient way to play.  When you walk, you can almost always take a more direct route to your golf ball and you get the added bonus of not having to wait for your partner before you get to your ball.  Walking also gives you a good opportunity to plan out your next shot since you can calculate distances to the pin, put together a strategy for avoiding the hazards or just give yourself a minute to berate yourself for that crappy shot you just hit.  All of these things lead to a more efficient, more engaging golf round.

5. Walking Is How Golf Was Meant To Be Played

Golf is a game with an incredible history and is packed with tradition.  It's no surprise that Old Tom Morris didn't have access to a golf cart during the birth of our great sport.  Most golf courses were meant to be walked and when you ditch the cart, you get a chance to connect to the roots of the sport and truly enjoy getting out in nature for a few hours.

If you're looking to start walking more, you're going to want the right gear to help make your round as stress-free as possible.  Think about investing in a lightweight stand bag or a smooth-rolling push cart.  And don't forget to grab a pair of comfortable golf shoes, which might be the most important piece of equipment if you're getting those steps in!