Walking is Dead!

[Ron Farris]

Atleast in South Dakota.  I visited Sutton Bay a while ago and there were two groups on the course, one member group and a group of caddies.  Everyone was riding a cart!  Shame on the caddies.

The last three days I played in the State Stroke Play Championship.  I played against college kids and other 20 somethings who all were riding in carts on a golf course that could be described as very flat, at least for the Black Hills.

I am soon to be 49 years old and I carried my bag for three days (no caddie).  I would like to think carrying my bag would at least give the next generation pause for thought.  I fear the worst:

[Adam Clayman]

Ron, Don't despair. I feel it's mostly regional. Plenty of people still walk. But certainly, the majority prefer to ride. To the extent that the golf business is no longer the golf business, but the cart rental business.

 

[Ron Farris]

Adam, I realize the regional aspect of carts.  Most private golf courses in the rural midwest states allow private cart ownership and granted when it is hotter than hell for a few days a cart provides some needed shade for many. In Asian countries an umbrella protects people from the sun.  I truly enjoy walking and playing golf.  I feel it helps with keeping rhythm, especially with slow play.

[Bill_McBride]

I agree that walking is best, but weather plays a big part.

I play half my summer golf in Pensacola on the Gulf Coast, and wouldn't dream of walking.  I go through about 8 gloves a round and it's handy having the uprights of the cart to dry out the wet ones.  (We call this the "Glove Train.")

I play the other half in Portland, and always walk.  I've never ridden in Oregon.  I mostly walk in the winter in Pensacola.  The problem there is that so many are used to carts in the summer, they don't have the legs to walk in the winter.  Too bad.

[Doug Ralston]

Reality intrudes sometimes!

Many courses simply are not walkable. Did you know they actually commission the construction of golf courses in hills, and, God forbid, even in mountains? Best golf course ever would also simply kill you if you were so foolish as to attempt to walk it.

Yet, honest to God, even the rednecks in the backwoods deserve to play a little golf. What can ya do?

Doug

BTW, my facetious rants aside, I am glad there are plenty of places yet where you can walk. I just have no problem with options, and am not judgemental of those who choose otherwise.

Doug

[Bill Shamleffer]

Ron,

I hate to agree with you, but you are correct.  Although walking has become slightly more popular in the last 10 years, it will never return to what it should be.  People will post about the weather and about the course, but these are ignoring the big picture.  My local New England muni is barely over 6000 yards with only two minor hills, yet almost all of the men from age 25 to 50 seem to ride carts.  And this is an old course with each walk from green to tee very short.  Walking seems to be more popular with the men over 60.  I do not know if this because they have always walked, if they are preserving their retirement income, or if they have become more health conscious.  I do wonder how many of these younger riders also belong to health clubs.

The problem is due to the economics.  Every course has such a financial incentive to maximize cart usage that 99% of all public/resort courses will never want to do anything to "promote" walking as a desirable alternative.

Although it will not change things, I will continue to avoid golf courses that do not allow walking as an alternative.  I have even declined Saturday golf opportunities because the course was carts only.

[Tyler Kearns]

Ron,

While walking still predominates at my club, I was appalled to see during the club championship that the only 3 carts in use (championship flight) were by two players who just turned 20 and a player in his mid-30's. The seniors walked. I am discouraged to see more and more young players riding, for I think they are losing a critical aspect of the game, and setting a poor example for generations to come.

TK

[Glenn Spencer]

Do people that walk and carry their bag think that they are better than people that take a cart? Are the people that want to relax and hit a few golf shots and have somewhere for their beer and conversation, are they from the 'wrong side of the tracks?' Are they bad people?

[ForkaB]

Do people that walk and carry their bag think that they are better than people that take a cart? Are the people that want to relax and hit a few golf shots and have somewhere for their beer and conversation, are they from the 'wrong side of the tracks?' Are they bad people?

Yes, Glenn

We are better people.

Rich

[Tyler Kearns]

Do people that walk and carry their bag think that they are better than people that take a cart? Are the people that want to relax and hit a few golf shots and have somewhere for their beer and conversation, are they from the 'wrong side of the tracks?' Are they bad people?

Glenn,

I walk all the time, I have my left hand available for the beverage of my choice, and am free to converse with my playing partners. Personally, I find cart golfers to be much less social during a round of golf as they dart ahead of the walkers in the group.

Are cart golfers 'bad people', no. But I think cart golf is a detriment to the game. Walking is an essential part of the game and causes the turf less stress. Further, cart paths are much less natural in appearance than a few worn trails that foot traffic would create if said paths did not exist.

This is all pretty ironic as today I am heading to a golf course that we have currently under construction to stake the cart paths!!

TK

[Glenn Spencer]

Rich,


I thought so. Maybe, they should just jail everyone that rides in a cart. My grandmother has some nerve taking a cart and saying that she still likes to play. I can't believe her.

[Glenn Spencer]

Tyler,

In what way is walking an essential part of the game. Did they have yardage books at TOC in 1700? Where in the rules of golf does it say that it is an essential part of the game?

[ForkaB]

Glenn

Your granny is OK in my books.  But, you....?  Tell me you have some serious chronic illnesses and I'll give you a break.

R

[Adam Clayman]

Agreed that if someone is not up to snuff, physically, riding a cart still allows them most of the games pleasures.

However, when it's clear that designs are constructed to make sure the walkers are abused, or at the least, not considered, it's gone too far.

It went too far somewhere back in the boom of the late eighties.

[Paul Payne]

HATE CARTS!!!!

Hate 'em.

I also hate this notion that some courses are completely unwalkable. RUBBISH!. So what if it is a 500 yard hike to the next tee. So what if you have to climb or descend. It just makes it a little harder and a little more excercise. I still don't think a cart is faster either. I have walked when paired with carts on brutal courses and have never found myself lagging.

I am 46 years old and will walk until my health requires me to ride. My one exception to my cart rule is that I'd rather ride than quit.

It burns me though to see a) people who are in their prime and could really use a "bit" more excersise riding in carts. It is just sad. b) young healthy guys who ride in carts because their impression is that "this is the way it is done". probably taking their ques from their larger than life sedentary fathers.

Yes..... this is something I DO hold a strong opinion on.

 

[Doug Ralston]

Paul;

Go to Yateville Lake State Park, in Eastern Kentucky. The course name is Eagle Ridge. Put the ole clubs across the back, and lets play golf. Remember though, our wager goes not to those who are ahead at the end of play, but to those who FINISH the course, regardless of score.

Disclaimer: This golfer is not responsible for the health or funeral services of anyone who accepts an offer made on this site!

Doug

[Lloyd_Cole]

I also hate this notion that some courses are completely unwalkable. RUBBISH!. So what if it is a 500 yard hike to the next tee.

Paul, when the walk from green to tee takes 5 minutes, and almost everyone else on the course is riding, then the walker can slow down the cart golfers. It is annoying and embarassing. I try to make a  point of finding out if courses are realistically walkable before visiting. If, for the most part, I don't go, and I make a point of explaining my reasoning.

I have no problem with other folk riding, I don't like to, so what? I've been walking 30 years and I'm getting fat anyway.. So long as nobody tries to tell me that my walking is slowing anybody..

Yesterday in an open fourball - all carts, I had my pencil bag so I hopped on and off, our group fell a hole and a half behind. Our playing partners were having a pretty rough time, at least one ball lost on each hole.. Anyway the 'marshall' type guy rides up and immediately suggests to me that I should speed it up and get on the cart..

[JohnV]

I walk.  I love to walk.  I hate it when my club requires carts for certain events.  But, I also am willing to let others ride if that is what they prefer.

I'm considered somewhat crazy around my club as I am the only player who walked 36 holes in one day during our match play championship (actually it was only 28 holes since I won easily in both matches.)

Lloyd, As for long walks from greens to tees, there are 3 of them at Hannastown because of the change in routing when the new 9 was added.  I will hop on a cart for those, just to keep from falling behind the 3 guys in carts I'm playing with.

[Paul Payne]

Doug,

If I could schedule that I'd gladly take it, just to prove a point. Some courses I have walked are:

RTJ trail at Oxmoor valley in Burmingham. walked both the Ridge course and Valley course in the same day.

Coyote Hills in Orange County CA. One of those courses layed out on the spare ridge property within a housing development.

Many hilly stretched out courses in the midwest and south, a few are;

TC of Iowa, Bos Landen, TPC Deere Run, Deacons Lodge, Mount Vintage Plantation (SC), Chestatee (GA), Eagles Nest? (MO), I could come up with more I am sure if I really thought about it.

Let's put it this way, I regularly take canoe trips into the BWCA and portage a heavy pack AND a canoe together anywhere from a few hundred yards to just over a mile in one shot. we may do that 10 or more times a day.

Trust me, I am not a specimen. I am a very average guy, and that's my point. I think people underestimate their physical capabilities and give way to prevailing thought that these courses just are not walkable. I'll never buy that.

[Doug Ralston]

Hehe Paul;

Perhaps you CAN walk ER. It would be very hard, but perhaps not impossible.

I would never even consider it, though I walk other courses. I admire your gumption though!

[Rick Shefchik]

Let Granny and the beer-drinkers ride. I don't care. Just let me walk.

Except at Sutton Bay. There is a walkable 12-hole loop on the interior of the course (which is a mile or so from the clubhouse), but my goal at Sutton is to play as many holes as I can each day in exchange for the 7-hour drive it takes to get there. I much prefer 36 holes on that special layout than one 18-hole ass-dragging slog.

[Paul Payne]

Lloyd,

It is true that a cart can cover the long distance from green to tee faster, but not much. Even if there are no shortcuts available, I can still arrive at the tee box while everyone is still fiddling around. I make a point of letting them know that if I am not there yet just start teeing off. I have never missed my time however there have been times when I have been forced to be the last man to tee off.

I am not trying to make the argument that long distances from green to tee are enjoyable. I am just saying I'd rather put up with that if I must to walk rather than ride.

[Glenn Spencer]

Paul Payne,

I think you might want to see someone.

If I play golf for fun, normally I have to keep track of at least 3 or 4 games. Sometimes, I like to have a beer. Sometimes, the course is crowded and I don't want to stand up all day. Sometimes, the weather is uncertain and I would like to have the peace of mind of knowing that I am prepared. I don't understand how people play by themselves, but I don't lose my mind over it. I don't understand how people play without a bet, but I don't spend time worrying about it. I don't understand how people hack and still enjoy the game, but I don't lose any sleep over it. Get off your high horses and shut up!!! Walking is not something that is idolized or a part of the game, nobody thinks you are special. I do about 50% of each, I guess that makes me half God, half man.

[Lloyd_Cole]

Lloyd, As for long walks from greens to tees, there are 3 of them at Hannastown because of the change in routing when the new 9 was added.  I will hop on a cart for those, just to keep from falling behind the 3 guys in carts I'm playing with.

John, Many of my friends ride. I'm getting pretty adept at riding on the back - caddy style, for those hikes.  I'm sure they ride extra fast to scare me, though.

[PThomas]

why were college kids walking??

I like to walk, but some courses are so hard to walk that even I will take a cart

Galloway National is one....a pretty darn good course, but LONG ways between tees and greens

walking that course would take significantly longer than a better routed course

my pet peeve:  courses that make me take a cart when I can't take it on the fairway due to wet conditions

and I believe The General in Eagle Ridge IL makes you take a cart and keep it on the path AT ALL TIMES

and if people want to take a cart:  that's fine with me....probaably a lot of people wouldn't play if they couldn't , and that's not good