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.

 

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.

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.

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?

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

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?

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;

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

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.

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!

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.

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.