There are various benefits of walking a golf course as opposed to riding in a cart. In this blog, we will discuss those benefits, as well as potential ways to work towards being able to.
Physical Activity
The most obvious benefit of walking a golf course is the effects it has on an individual’s physical well-being. During an average round, a golfer will walk as many as 10,000+ steps. There are various research studies that state walking at least 10,000 steps in a day has significant positive impacts on cardiovascular function and overall health. Walking the course is a type of exercise known as low-intensity, steady-state exercise, which has been shown to decrease the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The Experience
Another benefit of walking the course includes the experience that comes with it. Walking a golf course has the potential to create a more enjoyable round by enjoying the beauty of the course and increasing the social interaction between you and your playing partners.
Can’t Physically Walk a Golf Course?
There are a number of reasons why someone might be unable to walk a course, including:
- Experiencing fatigue before the end of the round
- Experiencing pain throughout the round
If you fall into the category of experiencing pain or fatigue throughout the round, you will benefit from golf-specific training, preferably by a medical professional. This type of training includes mobility/flexibility exercises, muscle strengthening, endurance training, and speed training, which in turn can improve golf swing consistency, increase club head speed, and decrease the risk of injury. This type of training can also gradually increase your tolerance to exercise, as well as improve your golf game, all in one.
It’s important to note that you might not be able to go straight from not walking a golf course to tolerating multiple 18-hole rounds per week. A good starting point would be to gradually increase the number of holes you walk each round, which might eventually turn into walking the front nine and riding the back nine. Over time, as your strength, endurance, and tolerance to exercise improve, you’ll be able to walk a full round of golf and reap the physical benefits, as well as create a more enjoyable golf experience.
If you don’t have a trusted Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in golf supervising your plan, I’d be happy to jump on a call to discuss your goals.
