Walk or Ride???

[akrus]

Was just thinking about this today. Anyone that knows me, knows that I prefer to walk a course rather than ride in a cart. During my recent trip to Florida, I found that it was difficult to find a course that we could walk. The problem with the Florida golf was the frequent, long trips from green to tee, mostly because the courses are generally built throughout a residential community of some sort. One of the courses, the distance between green to tee was well over 5 minutes by cart.

So, what do you do?

[iyell4]

if i'm playin' a course i've never played before, i'll RIDE despite how 'walker-friendly' the course claims to be. sometimes for me it only makes sense to WALK, like when spending quality time on an afternoon w/ dad lookin' for birdies and eagles on a course we've played before and know is 'walker-friendly'.

[dks_34]

I walk as much as possible. I try to get as much exercise as possible while I play and it also gives me time to cool off after I hit a bad shot.

[TehFlakes]

Me Carry a golf bag?

i'll ride

[Ego Woods]

walk. gotta get some form of excersise in this "sport"

[pudubny]

Was just thinking about this today. Anyone that knows me, knows that I prefer to walk a course rather than ride in a cart. During my recent trip to Florida, I found that it was difficult to find a course that we could walk. The problem with the Florida golf was the frequent, long trips from green to tee, mostly because the courses are generally built throughout a residential community of some sort. One of the courses, the distance between green to tee was well over 5 minutes by cart.

So, what do you do?
I prefer to walk as much as possible. If I play 36 or several days in a row I will consider a cart.
I am not sure that the distance from green to tee is the reason most Florida courses are cart manditory. I have played several where that was not the case. Florida courses being SO FLAT are perhaps the easiest to walk anywhere. Of course the heat is oppresive several months of the year so perhaps that forces them to promote the carts year round.
You may notice in Florida golf shops (like Edwin Watts or ****'s) that they stock mostly cart bags as well. And they seem to sell plenty of those tour size bags. You don't see alot of those here.
Cheers.
Pud.

[leftintherough]

I walk when I can.

For corporate golf (which is most of my golf) we always ride. Love playing courses with the gps installed in the carts.

[iyell4]

... and when i do walk ... gotta use a pull-cart ...
the days of hoistinging a duel (or mono) strapped load
onto my back after every shot are long, long gone ...

Is there a benefit of CARRYING your bag as opposed to pulling/pushing it in a cart??
(beyond the wonderful & nostalgic 'clink' 'clink' sounds of your forged blades banging against each other as you rhythmically stroll down the fairway .. 'clink' 'clink' :) )

[Happy Gilmore]

Walk when possible - carts are great on courses I have never played!


Happy G

[Thimble]

Is there a benefit of CARRYING your bag as opposed to pulling/pushing it in a cart??
walking up hills is easier. easier to jump across streams.

[hogannut]

Was just thinking about this today. Anyone that knows me, knows that I prefer to walk a course rather than ride in a cart. During my recent trip to Florida, I found that it was difficult to find a course that we could walk. The problem with the Florida golf was the frequent, long trips from green to tee, mostly because the courses are generally built throughout a residential community of some sort. One of the courses, the distance between green to tee was well over 5 minutes by cart.

So, what do you do?
There is only one way to play golf and that is walking. Unless it is a social tournament or I'm playing with my 80 year father I walk, and if the course is not walker friendly I play elsewheree.

[Thimble]

on a slow day, it's nice to walk as you're not waiting as much before each shot...

[abz-pete]

I'll walk, and carry my clubs, wherever possible.... it's always been part of the game for me.
Riding is not really an option in Scotland. I used to be a member at Murcar GC, a seaside links, where members under 50 required a doctor's certificate if they wanted to pull their clubs instead of carrying!

[spackler]

I carry. We have a lot of courses with big elevation changes up here, but I still walk. It's a lot more fun and it's the only excercise you can get playing golf.

[el tigre]

I walk whenever possible. Even on some of the "mountain" courses on the Quebec side, I usually walk if it is permitted. Only on those rare occasions when I play 36 holes in a day will I definately ride. Some of the really hilly courses don't allow walking, and I would probably ride for them anyways.

Is there a benefit of CARRYING your bag as opposed to pulling/pushing it in a cart?? I generally use a cart bag because it holds more stuff and is easier on my back, but there ARE a few benefits to a stand bag so I alternate between them:

1) You can go anywhere - with a stand bag I can walk across greens, tee boxes, whatever. Great for spring golf when there is lots of casual water on the course.
2) Faster play - You can keep it closer to you, and you can do stuff with your hands while you're walking (marking score, etc). Great for twilight golf when you're trying to get in a round before dark
3) Wintertime - a stand bag is much better when playing simulator golf or practicing at the dome
4) Driving range - many ranges do not have bag stands at the grass tees

[RobertThompson]

I'll walk, and carry my clubs, wherever possible.... it's always been part of the game for me.
Riding is not really an option in Scotland. I used to be a member at Murcar GC, a seaside links, where members under 50 required a doctor's certificate if they wanted to pull their clubs instead of carrying!
A member at Murcar? A fine golf course and one of my fondest memories from my first trip to Scotland. Played Murcar in the morning and Cruden Bay in the afternoon before heading to Dornoch.

As for the walk/ride debate, I walk whenever workable. If you carry your bag, it can actually be good exercise. When we played in Scotland the last time we were there, we walked 36 holes six days in a row. Dropped 10 pounds by my return.

The game was meant to be walked.

[pudubny]

As a follow up, I admit a growing fondness for rickshaws. I love them. I used them many times this past summer on those very hot days.
I find for my back that carrying my clubs is actually better than using a standard pull cart. The pull carts actually bother my back more. A rickshaw is effortless but you still get to walk.
Hopefully more courses start to offer rickshaws.
Pud.

[SW20 MR2]

I prefer to walk, but that's only cause I'm cheap and don't wanna spend the money since 2-3 cart fees equals another round of golf...at least at the cheap courses I frequent. Otherwise, I'd rather ride. Walking 18 holes is not going to do anything for me physically since I also play sports and go to the gym the rest of the week.

[sbell0524]

I prefer to walk whenever possible... Riding is nice and great for tournament play, but there is something about the clinking of clubs and the extra exercise...

[Carlton]

I prefer to walk whenever possible. If it is course I've never played, raining or not walk-friendly, I'll ride. I like walking because you get to actually see the course and appreciate it more than zipping along in the cart.

[golferboy]

Walking is the way to go....even in the rain and cold.Was just thinking about this today. Anyone that knows me, knows that I prefer to walk a course rather than ride in a cart. During my recent trip to Florida, I found that it was difficult to find a course that we could walk. The problem with the Florida golf was the frequent, long trips from green to tee, mostly because the courses are generally built throughout a residential community of some sort. One of the courses, the distance between green to tee was well over 5 minutes by cart.

So, what do you do?

[Golfbum]

I prefer to walk, and carry my clubs. I find this allows me more time to cool off if I have made a bad shot. I also find it allows me to have a better feel for my next shot. As I approach my ball I find the yardage markers if they are available. I can judge the wind direction and the strength of the wind better. By time I have reached my ball I have much decided what iron I want to hit and the type of shot I need.

I will use a rickshaw cart at my course if it is really hot, otherwise I carry my sticks in one of those Titleist Sunday bags. Very light and easy to carry with 14 clubs, a few balls, tees and a bottle of water.

I have nothing against riding, and will ride when I play an away game, if everyone else is riding. Or if I am playing in a Scramble event. At my home course, out of 12 of us that golf together only one guy rides every round. Once in awhile we will take carts but the majority of the time we walk.

I honestly feel I can play better golf when walking, and while carrying my clubs. One thing I hate about driving is the fact I can not carry my clubs around the green. If I miss a green I like having my bag with me. Sometimes you think you need a SW to play a chip, you get to your ball and a PW would be a better option. Having your sticks right beside you is much better in this case. Plus, I can walk onto the green, mark my ball and take my clubs off the back edge of the green. This allows me to have a better look at the green. You never have to worry about leaving a club behind on the green. (How many times have you found an iron laying on the edge of the green from the group ahead of you?)

The #1 reason to walk? It is good for your health :)

[leftintherough]

I walk whenever possible.
1) You can go anywhere - with a stand bag I can walk across greens, tee boxes, whatever. Great for spring golf when there is lots of casual water on the course.
2) Faster play - You can keep it closer to you, and you can do stuff with your hands while you're walking (marking score, etc). Great for twilight golf when you're trying to get in a round before dark
3) Wintertime - a stand bag is much better when playing simulator golf or practicing at the dome
4) Driving range - many ranges do not have bag stands at the grass tees
These are all the reasons why I switched to a stand bag last year.

plus
5) pulling a cart hurts my back
6) Love the exercise

[Swingman]

I play between 2-4 full rounds in one weekend, so if I'm playing 2 a day then I'll ride. If I play 1 a day then I'll walk.

[Section ThirtyOne]

I'll walk most of the time, but there are some courses (Grey Silo for example) where one would be foolish not to take a cart.

[Grass Roots Tour]

I'll walk most of the time, but there are some courses (Grey Silo for example) where one would be foolish not to take a cart.

The only reason I'd never walk that course is the 3 or 4 STUPIDLY long walks between holes, esp the walk from 18 back to the house all uphill. :eek: Why wouldnt they have a shuttle from those places?

I prefer to walk, esp in tournament.

[chiantibro]

I prefer to walk too, but a lot of the newer courses seem to be designed with carts in mind. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

[Titan]

I was looking back at last year rounds and apparently I rode more than I walked. I didn’t think I had a preference but apparently I do

[Ems]

Prefer to walk with a pull cart,

the walks are one of the reasons why i like golf in the first place

[golferboy]

Come on it aint that bad....oh yeah its bad......The only reason I'd never walk that course is the 3 or 4 STUPIDLY long walks between holes, esp the walk from 18 back to the house all uphill. :eek: Why wouldnt they have a shuttle from those places?

I prefer to walk, esp in tournament.

[Mule56]

Prefer to walk with a pull cart,

the walks are one of the reasons why i like golf in the first place
I'm with ya on this one Ems. 44 years of various sports (hockey, basketball, football, baseball and lacrosse) make a carry bag a no go. Nice three wheel cart and it just a walk in the park.
Mule

[xopt1js]

Personally I prefer to ride, but if my playing partners want to walk, then i use a pull cart. :)

[tjhayko]

Walk, walk. I use a pull cart, but I enjoy the walk, and for some reason I seem to stay in what passes for rhythm better. I think I play better as well, but that might be because I only take a cart when I'm playing drinking golf... :)

[colonel]

Walk and carry where ever possible.