Walking on golf course

Re: Walking on golf course

James G — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 00:53:03 GMT

What's even worse is people pay to use the carts, but they wouldn't even pay to walk!!!!! Shame on USA golfers lol sorry usa golfers no offense...

Re: Walking on golf course

Dallin H — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 13:13:51 GMT

I've played courses when you are forced to use a cart, usually at high peak times like weekends and holidays. I try to avoid those courses due to the high volumne of players (I can't deal with 6 hour rounds). IMHO, I think we should all walk more...it is a good excuse to buy some new FJ golf shoes...they pay for themselves in a few rounds. At least when you have a bad round you can at least be happy that you got some exercise in the process.

Re: Walking on golf course

Paul T — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 18:28:34 GMT

Ahhh, that's some bull. I always walk, unless playing in a tournament ((for fun tournaments, like fundraisers, etc.)) I have a push cart, because I have the Titleist Cart bag. It's the best exercise out there, in my opinion! It's sad courses are taking that away. Good thing I don't live near any of them!

Re: Walking on golf course

Christopher T — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 19:40:04 GMT

I work at a course that promotes both walking and riding. I try and walk at least once a week for a few holes to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. I also have a nice push cart to use so I do not have to mess with putting down my bag for shots. It actually speeds up play, because I am ready when I get to my ball and already have my plan of action in play. Most of our pace of play issues come from our riders and "idiots" who just come out to drink and try and play golf. If a course does not allow walkers, then that course is just losing out and deserves to lose the business.

Re: Walking on golf course

Chris S — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 13:54:19 GMT

[quote user="David H"]Obviously, because of money, more and more courses are taking walking out of the game to promote cart rentals! My club allows walking, but, you have to carry your bag, no pull carts. I'm 67 and this is part of my exercise regimen. My course is a 6 mile hike, but, it sure would be nice to use a pull cart. Also, TPC in Avondale, charges an additional $10 to walk besides the green fee. No wonder the USA is a fat nation, because it seems to be all about the money!

[/quote]

All I can say is WOW! I would definitely be finding a new course to play and I would be giving those courses a piece of my mind! What little I have left anyway ;)

Chris S

Re: Walking on golf course

Brian W — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 00:03:24 GMT

I would much rather walk. I have a clic gear cart and it makes walking a breeze. I also find I play much better and also enjoy the conversation more with my group when walking. I am 43 with 3 kids under 10 so this also is a great way to get some exercise doing something I love as I don't have as much free time!

Re: Walking on golf course

Lou G — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 20:22:26 GMT

I walk the course on all except Riverwalk because they charge you for a cart anyhow. I walked it one time early and it took about 1:35. Was 1:20 with a golf cart.

I still wonder why someone needs a golf cart on an executive course of less than 2500 yards for 9 holes. Even worse yet some 30 year old.

If it is crowded, there is no time saved using a cart.

Using a cart defeats the whole purpose - to get exercise. I'm almost 57 and I was doing it the old fashioned way for about a year (until I started carrying 14 clubs) - walking and carrying the bag (it also saves space in your trunk by not packing a pull cart).

Re: Walking on golf course

Michael H — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 19:06:58 GMT

Many of those that worked all week sat for most of it - me included. I enjoy walking and much prefer a course that is walker friendly meaning not charging the same rate as playing with a cart or doesn't have tee boxes that are 200 yards from the last green. I need the exercise and think its a fundametal part of the game. Its the same rational I use for parking at the end of the parking lot at the ol' Wal-Mart. My truck doesn't get banged up and its better for me.

Other than my kids, which see exercise as an important daily function, I have few playing partners that are willing to hoof 18 after work.

If you are ever in the Lexington, KY area Kearney Hill is a great walking course. It was designed by Pete Dye and the Senior Tour used to hit it back in the day.

Re: Walking on golf course

Hotsauce — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 18:33:17 GMT

[quote user="AJAR"]

I prefer to walk for all the reasons Josh G mentioned, in fact I have noticed I hit better scores that way. However, keeling over on the course during a round wouldn't be a bad way to go. Especially with my Titleist clubs in tow!

[/quote]

Lol, Always better to punch out doing something you love I guess.

Re: Walking on golf course

AJAR — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 17:17:36 GMT

Re: Walking on golf course

Carl T — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:09:34 GMT

Another thing that I don't understand is to see young kids riding in a cart. I never rode in a cart until I was in my early 20's and that was only on rare occasions. I walk because I can.

Re: Walking on golf course

Hotsauce — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 15:51:45 GMT

[quote user="Carl T"][quote user="Josh G"]

That's nuts to charge a walking fee. Often times I'll walk a course even if the car is included in the price tag.

I'd rather walk. I play better, feel better, and I also think you get to see more of the course. If ti's path only, taking a cart is pretty much pointless. Plus you feel less guilt on the 19th hole

[/quote] I will soon be 67 and walk until it gets too hot. My club has a rule that when it's cart path only you cannot take push carts out into the fairway. They will allow you to go as far as the second cut of rough. If you carry your bag then it's OK. They say when it's cart path only due to a wet course, the push carts leave ruts. I think that is BS. I think that if I carried my clubs my foot prints would leave more of a trail than walking behind a push cart where the weight is more spread out.

[/quote]

There's no way to avoid footprints unless you have the Bubbacraft. I can see keeping the wheels out of wet/muddy areas (which you probably already do), but there's no way a pull cart does as much damage as a motorized one. There's no doubt that walking is better for your health (unless you keel over during your round) and the course. Unless there's a tremendous amount of distance between holes, there's no reason to discourage it.

Re: Walking on golf course

Carl T — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 15:28:36 GMT

[quote user="Josh G"]

That's nuts to charge a walking fee. Often times I'll walk a course even if the car is included in the price tag.

I'd rather walk. I play better, feel better, and I also think you get to see more of the course. If ti's path only, taking a cart is pretty much pointless. Plus you feel less guilt on the 19th hole

Re: Walking on golf course

Hotsauce — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:25:15 GMT

That's nuts to charge a walking fee. Often times I'll walk a course even if the car is included in the price tag.

I'd rather walk. I play better, feel better, and I also think you get to see more of the course. If ti's path only, taking a cart is pretty much pointless. Plus you feel less guilt on the 19th hole

Re: Walking on golf course

Allen L — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:12:07 GMT

I'm 66 and prefer to walk. I have a lightweight bag and prefer that over a pull cart. Some of these courses and clubs are getting carried away with fees, requirements, and so on. In my area club memberships are dropping so they are raising annual rates to make up for the lost members, one had to go public to survive. I'd like to see courses start allowing caddy's again.

Re: Walking on golf course

Barry O — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:09:25 GMT

At 61 yrs. young and a staff member of my courses' cart concession, I see both ends of the spectrum on this issue. I also am a starter on Sunday mornings so I am aware of ratio of walkers to riders. Many work all week long and just don't want to walk the course but those who are more aware of the need for the physical aspect of walking their round, do so for the benefit that it gives them. For myself, I seem to play a couple of strokes better consistently because I think more and have better concentration from shot to shot! I am not in a hurry to get to the ball just to complete my turn and my focus is on seeing the shot all the way to the result from the last shot! I typically ride during my league play late in the evenings, especially spring and fall when time is of the essence but I love to walk still and I benefit immensely from the added physical element it offers.

Re: Walking on golf course

Don O — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:55:29 GMT

[quote user="Todd T"]

Torrey Pines encourages walking by charging $30 a person for a cart..... No thanks, I'll be over here stretching my hammy's!

[/quote]

LOL - if you play there in December when they have path only to prepare for the Farmer's, you end up walking more with a cart. My wife insisted, and I was worn out by 15 from all the lateral runs. Unless you are permitted to use the fairway, they should advise you to walk.

Re: Walking on golf course

Todd T — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 01:23:59 GMT

Torrey Pines encourages walking by charging $30 a person for a cart..... No thanks, I'll be over here stretching my hammy's!

Re: Walking on golf course

jarrell r — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:08:33 GMT

It is a sad thing. The three to four places I play they all allow walking expect one because the course is stretched out over such a long distance. Pace of play to me seems like it slows down when driving because you can just take a I don't care swing at the ball and at least with walking it makes you want to keep the ball in play

Re: Walking on golf course

Fred Closs — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 20:05:59 GMT

Walking should be encouraged. That being said, courses are there to make a profit. Personally, more people will ride than walk so it shouldn't be forced unless you can't keep up. Pebble Beach doesn't care if you walk or ride (the fees are the same -too high, in my book) so long as you maintain your pace.

Re: Walking on golf course

Mitchell C — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 18:58:15 GMT

It's quite ridiculous and sad isn't it. I am an avid walker, and honestly I believe I play better when I walk as opposed to ride. Courses should encourage walking and promote the health/exercise benefits of walking. Good for you for continuing to walk and stay active at the young age of 67. Nothing quite like chasing the ol titleist around for 4hours and 6miles to make you feel good about yourself.

-Mitchell Cook

Re: Walking on golf course

Don O — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 18:36:39 GMT

A fee to walk? That's just not right. It should be part of the green's fee. Too bad about the push/pull cart, That is a small but notable contribution to pace of play to take the bag down, stand it, pick it back up. I'd like to support a caddy program, but I haven't seen a caddy program that didn't start with a $50+ fee to the course before you even pay the caddy. I can't do that at the courses I play every week.

Too many courses were designed around course-side communities, so excessive layouts make it difficult to walk and maintain pace of play. Looks like that concept/scourge may be drawing to a close - but we'll have a ton of existing courses to live with past my lifetime. I primarily play 3 courses that allow push carts, and to some extent, encourage walking. ...My biggest issue at 63 is I often play with 3 co-workers average age 27, and they never walk.

Re: Walking on golf course

Ric Y — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 17:02:08 GMT

I'm afraid I'd have to find another course to play. Courses are hard up for customers and placing restrictions on players just isn't good business.......

Re: Walking on golf course

Dr. Kovatchian — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:41:49 GMT

Could not agree more.

Every course should allow walkers to walk for free!

Shame on Avondale!!!

Whenever possible I carry my bag...It's always a better round no matter the score!!!

DR. K