Nowadays, everyone is after whatever is fast and convenient. That’s even true in golf, where it’s easy to hop in a cart and zip from shot to shot. But if you’ve never walked the course, you’re missing out!
Walking the golf course is one of the most rewarding ways to improve both your game and your overall well-being. And it’s about more than just steps—it’s about rhythm, strategy, and presence. Keep reading to discover how much can change when you leave the golf cart behind.
Benefits of Walking the Golf Course
- Walking boosts your physical fitness. Golf isn’t your typical cardio workout. However, walking 18 holes can amount to a significant amount of movement. The average golfer walks around four to six miles during a round. That can burn over 1,200 calories, depending on the course layout and terrain! Plus, when you make walking the golf course a habit, it improves cardiovascular endurance, strengthens your core and leg muscles, and increases stamina over time. Unlike high-impact workouts, walking is a joint-friendly exercise, making it perfect for golfers of all ages and abilities. And if you’re carrying or pushing your own bag, this adds a light strength component, further increasing your daily activity without needing a gym membership.
- Ditching the golf cart can help sharpen your mental focus. Instead of jumping from tee to tee, you’re allowing your mind to reset between shots. You’re also giving your mind space to assess the conditions and mentally prepare for your next move. Perhaps most importantly, that walk to the next hole can give you a moment to decompress after a bad shot or reset after a birdie. You’re more likely to think through your next move calmly instead of reacting impulsively under pressure.
- Walking allows for more overall enjoyment. If you’re on a Pinehurst golf vacation, walking the course lets you take in the sights. We’re talking iconic pines, rolling fairways, and deep bunkers that make the experience unforgettable. But this is true of many courses worldwide. Slowing down gives you a chance to connect with the course’s personality, rather than just rushing through it.
- These steps can help improve your course management. When you walk the course, you get a better feel for aspects of the game like the layout, slopes, wind direction, and distances you won’t get from the seat of a cart. That real-time feedback allows you to make smarter decisions, which can help lower your scores.
- You stay more engaged when you walk the golf course. When you’re constantly moving and observing, you stay dialed in. There’s no checking emails or flipping through your phone between holes. The game becomes immersive, and you become a better student of it.
- It’s good for your mood (and your sleep)! Walking releases endorphins, reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and boosts dopamine, all of which contribute to a sense of well-being. Spending four to five hours outdoors, walking in fresh air and sunlight, naturally elevates your mood. All of that mental focus, physical activity, and natural light exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm. That means deeper sleep and waking up more refreshed.
Whether you’re an amateur looking for consistency or a seasoned player who wants to sharpen your focus, walking 18 holes offers benefits that go well beyond the green. So next time you hit the course—whether it’s your local spot or the legendary grounds of Pinehurst—consider skipping the cart and taking it step by step.