Does anyone walk anymore?

[MacTourney]

17 hours ago, Bang60 said:

I walk 9 holes carrying my bag but ride if playing 18 on my bike, used to play 36 holes Saturday and Sunday easy peasy when you’re fit and healthy lol. I’m not bothered by the idiots looking down on me for riding, I’ll happily tell them to “F” off… no skin off my nose..

 I got the big tyre bike 26inch that’s comfortable to ride but too heavy for an old man, but I love it so not sure if I’ll get the 20inch or not???

You actually get to ride a bike like this, interesting.  I saw for the first time last year someone on what appeared to be a motor driven cycle type thing and didn't get a full look at it but his acceleration seemed smooth and even so I assumed it was motor driven.

So on your set up you ride while bag is on your back?  I'm a little surprised a course would allow it, but I don't know anything about the practice.  Is this the wave of the future sort of thing?  Changing gears uphill?  Interesting stuff for sure.

Edited February 25 by MacTourney

[MacAndrews]

As a former caddy, I always preferred walking to riding but carts were mandatory on weekends before I:00pm, so I finally purchased my first cart bag in 2019, a Ping Pioneer (based on MGS reviews). Then came covid and we were allowed to walk, so I purchased a Clicgear push cart based on an MGS review.

I've now moved to a walking-friendly course. Sometimes I use a Ping carry bag but prefer using the pushcart (even though I don't love pushing). The great thing about the Ping Pioneer bag is the cooler compartment works great as a sand bottle holder for non-replaceable divots. 

I'll ride when required, but last year that was maybe 20 rounds out of 175.

The walking exercise has been great for my health and I now almost always hit an elliptical machine for 5-6 miles when I don't play. My beer gut has almost disappeared. A pay a $150 trail fee for the year, compared to the yearly cart plan, which is $1800.

I may eventually get the Alphard rear wheels for the Clicgear. Seems like a bit of an extra hassle, but may be worth it not to feel all hunched over pushing.

When I hit the course in the evening, I use my carry bag.

No hate to people who ride in carts that are respectful to the course, especially those that let me sit while they are teeing off!

 

[JFish350]

16 hours ago, drrlramsey said:

I prefer to walk when I am playing with my league or wih a friend that maintains a good pace as I feel it helps me to maintain a good rythm. If its a casual weekend round with some guys, and I have a later tee time, I'd prefer to prepare for a more casual pace and just take my time aas to not make the folks in front of me feel rushed since I am a fast player naturally, enjoy the scenery and conversation along with a cigar until it is my turn.

Just purchased an electric walking cart kit so, I excited to walk this year.

Another Portlander, Nice. Only course in our area I will not walk is Chehalem Glenn. 

 

Where do you normally play? 

 

Which electric cart did purchase? 

[Fjd]

I’m 81 yrs old and also walk, especially when we have cart path only because of extremely wet fairways.  I find it easier to carry in lieu of pulling a cart.  The secret is a very light wt bag.  Mine is 3.5 lbs.  The other benefit of carrying is the ability to catch a ride on the back of a cart to go up a steep hill or a long trek to the next tee.

[Adjustor]

Even at age 71, I generally walk. The exception would be 90+ temps and high humidity. I generally feel walking is the best aspect of my game. On those days where I play terrible, at least I have accomplished something by getting in 5 miles of steps (not to mention moving the bags weight as well.)

[cnosil]

As I read through this thread I note some interesting things:

• People have different definitions of walking and cart.   There is the group that say they walk which in their mind means they carry their clubs.   There is those that walk and use a cart (pull, push, electric) to carry their bag.  Those that view a car as the one that you sit in/on and drive.  
• There seems to be a lot of negative opinions about people that ride in a cart.

[chisag]

7 minutes ago, Adjustor said:

Even at age 71, I generally walk. The exception would be 90+ temps and high humidity. I generally feel walking is the best aspect of my game. On those days where I play terrible, at least I have accomplished something by getting in 5 miles of steps (not to mention moving the bags weight as well.)

 

... This reminds me of an overweight guy I was paired up with that said "That remote electric cart looks great. If I were in better shape I would get one." To which I replied "I mean this in a most positive way but if you got one and started walking, you would  be in better shape". 

[Adjustor]

10 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... This reminds me of an overweight guy I was paired up with that said "That remote electric cart looks great. If I were in better shape I would get one." To which I replied "I mean this in a most positive way but if you got one and started walking, you would  be in better shape". 

Reminds me of a time one of our  members in our group commented to me in a condescending way: "I don't golf for the exercise."

To which I replied: "Me either, but it (walking) is an added benefit."

[chisag]

20 minutes ago, cnosil said:

There seems to be a lot of negative opinions about people that ride in a cart.

 

... With good reason. Hard to understand why young guys that are in good shape would ride in a cart, park them 3 feet off the cart path destroying the grass to save 2 steps as well as driving them almost on the fringe. And I am not even talking about social players drinking and blaring their music, but really good players. I just very rarely see drunk walkers blaring their music to be heard a fairway over. And to be fair I see older lazy folk too that do the same (without beer/loud music) as if they are allergic to walking anymore than they have to. So a negative opinion is well earned.

... That said, there are so many that actually need a cart for physical reasons. Mountain courses or those with abnormally long walks from green to tees and of course excessive heat. Once the temp gets into triple digits I have learned walking in bright sunshine can be dangerous, even under a reflective umbrella so as much as I love walking, I ride all summer. There is one other category and that is the respectful golfer that is aware their cart can cause damage to the course if operated improperly, understand a 90* rule doesn't mean buy more beer when the temps get above 90* but just prefer to ride for whatever reason so no negative opinions for them either. 

[rosco1963]

I walk a course tha s about 10 miles from me. It os only 9 holes, and not the greatest course, but they allow me take my 15 pound cairn terrier with me. Win Win, his walk, my walk, and I get to curse at a white ball, lol.

[ChuckZ]

I play in a senior men's group that ranges in ages from 60-92.  Me, I am 76 and do have, unfortunately, pulmonary issues and just cannot walk the 3.5-4.25 miles it takes to walk 18 holes or even half that distance.  Am currently doing PT for my lower back and the most they will let me walk is 1/3 of a mile.   My Pomologist said in order to play golf and enjoy it, to put my butt on a cart and have fun.  He did because of age and medical issues, and he is a scratch golfer.  I found an interesting article that I would like to share because it does show that we riders do get in some steps, burn some calories and exercise, just like those who walk. 

QUOTE:  "The World Golf Foundation estimates that golfers who walk an 18-hole course clock about 5 miles and burn up to 2,000 calories. But here's the rub: About two-thirds of golf in the U.S. is played in motorized carts. Some resorts and private courses even restrict walking and require carts.  Why is the cart culture so dominant? There are lots of reasons, according to Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation. For example, carts are a source of revenue for golf clubs. They enable golf facilities "to get more people on the course and get them around the course faster," Mona says.  Another reason: Carts can help older people and others unable to walk long distances keep playing the game.

"I started playing when I was 9 years old," golfer Gary Metzger told me. And over his lifetime, he says, he's played a lot of sports. But after two hip replacement surgeries and operations on his knees, "it's one of the few things I can still do." What Metzger loves about the game, he says, is that "it's the one sport you can plan to play the rest of your life."

Rob Rigg, of the Walking Golfers Society, says the game originated as a walking game, and "even today, in Great Britain and Ireland, along with Australia, golf is almost always played on foot."

He says walking during the game is "a vital part of the journey." The society bases its course rankings on votes submitted by members and the public. There's a lot of variety at the top. "They range from walking-only resorts like Bandon Dunes," Rigg says, "to walking-focused clubs like Ballyneal in eastern Colorado, to CommonGround near Denver, which has a wonderful youth caddie program." The list also includes municipal courses, like San Diego's Torrey Pines, Rigg says, "where walking is encouraged, and push- or pull carts are always welcome."

I clipped a pedometer on Gary's golf partner, his wife, Karen, to see how many steps she'd get during a round of golf using a cart. She surprised me, clocking 2,880 steps — more than a mile — during nine holes. "Wow, that's great," Karen said, when she saw the number.

Mona says that the distance she covered is pretty typical. The distance can vary — better golfers, with more accurate shots, may walk less than golfers who have to chase after more shots in the rough — but the foundation's research finds that even golfers using a motorized cart can burn about 1,300 calories during an 18-hole round."

I am limited at times regarding courses I can play.  Could not make our annual TT Invitational when the group went to Bandon Dunes due to their WALKING ONLY - NO CARTS policy, even though I had a doctor's medical excuse in writing.  When our event went to Pinehurst and we played #2, they allowed me to have a cart, but required a caddy drive, with the letter. 

I used to an avid walker, first carried bag, then used a Bag Boy push cart , then moved up to Clicgear push cart.  Guess I have been riding for about ten years.  Believe me wish I could walk.    

 

[Bang60]

4 hours ago, MacTourney said:

You actually get to ride a bike like this, interesting.  I saw for the first time last year someone on what appeared to be a motor driven cycle type thing and didn't get a full look at it but his acceleration seemed smooth and even so I assumed it was motor driven.

So on your set up you ride while bag is on your back?  I'm a little surprised a course would allow it, but I don't know anything about the practice.  Is this the wave of the future sort of thing?  Changing gears uphill?  Interesting stuff for sure.

Yeah the bike allows me to play 18 holes otherwise I’m puffing at 13/14 and I’ve just made 16 then staggered back to the clubhouse lol, I saw a Mrshortgame utube video on him using a bike on his golf course in the USA which is common there and you can hire bikes at lot’s of golf courses..

 

I will take a photo next time I play with my bag on the bike…

[cnosil]

19 minutes ago, Bang60 said:

 I saw a Mrshortgame utube video on him using a bike on his golf course in the USA which is common there

 

I have never heard of or seen anyone riding a bike on a golf course.  

[Rickp]

10 minutes ago, cnosil said:

I have never heard of or seen anyone riding a bike on a golf course.  

That makes 2 of us.  But I’ll never say it doesn’t happen somewhere.

[GPS111]

44 minutes ago, Rickp said:

That makes 2 of us.  But I’ll never say it doesn’t happen somewhere.

There is a course near me with 18 holes that has bikes like this to rent in lieu of a cart so they are out there.  Need to reserve one when you make the tee time.

[Rickp]

18 minutes ago, GPS111 said:

There is a course near me with 18 holes that has bikes like this to rent in lieu of a cart so they are out there.  Need to reserve one when you make the tee time.

Thanks, looking forward to @Bang60pics.

[ChuckZ]

1 hour ago, Rickp said:

That makes 2 of us.  But I’ll never say it doesn’t happen somewhere.

A couple of guys at the local Muni where I play ride them.  Both have had hip replacements.  Number 19 rated muni by Golf.com in US.  They are not cheap.  Very quite and lightweight.    

[chisag]

1 hour ago, Rickp said:

That makes 2 of us.  But I’ll never say it doesn’t happen somewhere.

 

... If I had to ride, I mean HAD to, I would go with a Golfboard. One of my courses back home rented them instead of a riding cart for an extra $10 and lots of teens used them. I have seen them a few times here in Phoenix but my home course outlawed them for safety and legal purposes. Dumb as they could just make anyone sign a waiver. A guy that played in front of us was thrown off the course by the GM on #17 said he is gonna file a lawsuit. He looked like he was having a blast. 

 

 

[Rickp]

1 minute ago, chisag said:

 

... If I had to ride, I mean HAD to, I would go with a Golfboard. One of my courses back home rented them instead of a riding cart for an extra $10 and lots of teens used them. I have seen them a few times here in Phoenix but my home course outlawed them for safety and legal purposes. Dumb as they could just make anyone sign a waiver. A guy that played in front of us was thrown off the course by the GM on #17 said he is gonna file a lawsuit. He looked like he was having a blast. 

 

 

I’ve heard about them.  They do look like fun.  I’m not sure my 76 year old knees would like it.

[drrlramsey]

Another Portlander, Nice. Only course in our area I will not walk is Chehalem Glenn. 
 
Where do you normally play? 
 
Which electric cart did purchase? 

I used play Meriweather during the Spring and Summer leagues every Wednesday. This year I’m switching over to the Summerfield location. I like to play all over but, my go to courses are Wildwood, Eastmoreland, Glendoveer, and of course Claremont which is literally 3 minutes from my front door. Chehelam Glenn is a tough walk.

I purchased the Alphard Club Booster V2 from someone right on here.

Where do you play?


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