Who really walks all of the time?

[PThomas]

usually, but in really hot/humid  weather like we've had this year I will cart it

also, if a course is one of those with LONG green to tee walks

[Dave Givnish]

1. Who walks 100% of the time?
About 90% - it was 108 in AZ when I played on Saturday, so carts were in order.  I try to walk whenever the temp is below 95.

2. When you walk, do you carry your bag or pull it?
Carry - 50% Push - 50% We have SunMountain push carts and just got Rikshas to try.  The more I use a push cart, though, the less I want to carry.

3. How much of a factor does weather influence your decision?
Lots. 

4. How much of a factor does your playing group influence your decision?
None

5. When you decide not to walk, are you glad there are cart paths?
Not an issue - we have trails, not paths and our fairways aren't too wide.


7. Do you still hate cart paths, even if they are really well hidden?
Only if they are black top and I hit it on one.

8. In general, do you despise golfers who ride in carts?
No

9. Do you despise golfers who ride when the course is easily walk-able and the weather is perfect?
Yes - especially young golfers who show up with a golf bag big enough that we should check to see if they are using it to bring illegal aliens across the border.  Golf is a walking game.

[Brad Tufts]

A little confused here after people seem to rag on courses like Erin Hills / Rock Creek for the walk being too difficult. Here are a few questions for the crowd.

1. Who walks 100% of the time?  Nope, probably 50-50...much of my golf comes after work when I only have 2-2.5 hours to get in 18...was succesful every time I tried...only could do that with a cart.
2. When you walk, do you carry your bag or pull it?  Probably 50-50 carry and caddie...used a pull-cart extensively during my Scotland trip in June.
3. How much of a factor does weather influence your decision?  Only if there is a lightning issue, I will sometimes take a cart if I could be caught out on the course during a thunderstorm.
4. How much of a factor does your playing group influence your decision?  I will usually go with the flow.
5. When you decide not to walk, are you glad there are cart paths?  Doesn't matter.
6. Supers, would you rather have wall to wall? paths only around greens/tees? none?
7. Do you still hate cart paths, even if they are really well hidden?  They can't add aesthetically, but I understand they are often necessary.
8. In general, do you despise golfers who ride in carts?  No.
9. Do you despise golfers who ride when the course is easily walk-able and the weather is perfect?  No...to each their own.
10. What do I think of cart use in general?

While I agree that the ideal form of golf involves walking and either caddie or carry...carts are a part of the game as I see it.  They sometimes allow a full round to be played very quickly when time doesn't allow even a steady walking round.  If I lived in the UK where the culture is different, I would log vastly fewer 18 hole rounds in a year.  I estimate the mere existence of cart use adds 25 full rounds per year where I wouldn't have time otherwise.

I admire the hardcore walkers among us, but I assume when you get invited somewhere nice by someone who is a rider, you don't say "screw you generous host, I'm walking despite the course policy!"  I prefer to walk, but there are many situations where it is convenient or a good idea to ride anyways.

[paul cowley]

Melvyn my friend...golf developed under different conditions in the UK and the US, and I would agree with you entirely if cart paths and not walking were forced upon the UK. Just don't try to force us to adhere to playing in conditions that don't suit our climate or topography...nor demean our manhood!

[J Cabarcos]

I am just waiting to read a post which states that they live in South Florida or Arizona and walk 100% of the time.  Fat chance.

[Matthew Petersen]

I am just waiting to read a post which states that they live in South Florida or Arizona and walk 100% of the time.  Fat chance.

I live in Arizona and don't walk nearly as often as I would like.

I play most of my golf in the summer, when it is affordable ... but also would be insane to walk. Though on the rare days that are a little "cooler" I will try to sneak out and play one of the munis nearby, none of which are a difficult walk.

In the winter and spring, I just don't play very often. I like to get out with my Dad, who lives on and mostly plays Sun City Grand retirement community courses. He owns his own cart and I generally allow him to cart my bag around while I walk and maybe catch a ride for some of the more egregiously long green-to-tee jaunts.

[Bill Seitz]

If anyone plays in scrambles, or corporate events or the like, then I'd bet none of those people walk 100% of the time. 

I typically go to the course with the intent to walk just about every time I play, but I know there are rounds where that's either not possible, or it's just not something that would be desirable on a given day.  If I'm playing with a client who likes to ride, I'll probably ride.  If I play 36 holes, I may walk the first 18 and ride the second.  But most of the time I walk, and nearly all of the time (except for the two or three rounds per year where I have a caddie), I drag my bag.  Even in Chicago District events that allow carts, I usually prefer to walk. 

I don't mind people who prefer to ride, and I certainly don't hold it against them. 

There's probably only been one or two times where I thought it was just too hot to walk.  Though in all honesty, I'm more likely to be open to riding on a cooler, wetter day than on a hot, dry day.  Having grown up in Southern California, I'm not much of a mudder.  And it's nice to have my clubs covered, as opposed to constantly fiddling with an umbrella, especially when it's wet AND windy. 

One thing that bothers me about a lot of public courses that have been built recently is that they're designed around carts.  Of course, as a source of revenue, it's not hard to see why.  That's not to say the distances from greens to tees is exceptionally long (though they may be), but they're the types of places where you aren't going to find a bench very often.  And on a long day, with a lot of waiting, it's nice to have a bench at a tee to sit at every now and then.  Cog Hill #4 is pretty bad on this front.  Granted, there's one greens fee that includes carts, so they probably aren't expecting a lot of walkers, but I typically walk when I play there.  In addition to being one of the most difficult walking courses I've played, they stick all of the benches at the very back tees.  This paragraph sounds pretty whiny, but it's a pet peeve of mine. 

[Dan Kelly]

Funny how so many Americans can self-centrically (is that a word?) rationalize their lazy cartball behavior as "normal," when that is truly the exception around the globe.

Different strokes (literally) for different folkls...

Bill --

I have taken a cart whenever I have visited Sutton Bay -- and my legs (and especially my feet) are plenty tired after playing all day there, even with a cart.

I think it's completely "normal" to want to play as many holes as one can, in a day there. Don't you?

Dan

P.S. Almost always walk (except when it's Too Damned Hot to play golf, and I'm playing golf anyway -- or when I visit Sutton Bay or some course that requires carts -- or when I'm racing the sunset and will lose without a cart).

Always carry -- though am looking at a Sun Mountain Micro Cart.

Don't hate cart paths -- except when they feed shots into hazards.

[John Kavanaugh]

I hardly ever walk, don't like it. The paradox of walking is that people who carry look cheap while those who take caddies seem rich.  I personally am not interested in paying $60-$80 for a caddie at my home course except when hosting guests. I guess that makes me cheap but not cheap enough to not pay for a cart.

[Tim Martin]

I hardly ever walk, don't like it. The paradox of walking is that people who carry look cheap while those who take caddies seem rich.  I personally am not interested in paying $60-$80 for a caddie at my home course except when hosting guests. I guess that makes me cheap but not cheap enough to not pay for a cart.

I think guys that eat early bird dinners at 4:30 in the afternoon and order tap water look cheap. It never occurred to mean that carrying made me look cheap. Why am I always the last to know?

[Jim Jackson]

Good grief.  I live in South Texas, and walk at least 90% of the time, regardless of time of day.  My club has a single monthly charge which includes cart, and the only time I take one is when I play with my son, who is 3.  So this issue of looking cheap is entirely moot.

[Steve Pozaric]

Not me.  I am probably a 60% walker, between charity outings, client golf, golf with the wife and two little ones and St. Louis summers (high 90's and high humidity). 

I prefer to walk when I can, but it just doesn't happen all the time.

[Steve Hyden]

1. Who walks 100% of the time? About 50-50.  My Saturday group are riders and my Sunday group walks.  But, this being Florida, on Sunday we ride during the summer.
2. When you walk, do you carry your bag or pull it?  I carry 11 clubs, leaving out one hybrid, my 60 deg. wedge and either 5 iron or gap wedge.  My friggin' home course is a 7 mile slog (verified with pedometer).  Only a few of our membership walk regularly.
3. How much of a factor does weather influence your decision?  Totally (see no. 1)
4. How much of a factor does your playing group influence your decision? Usually (see no. 1)
5. When you decide not to walk, are you glad there are cart paths?  Doesn't matter.
6. Supers, would you rather have wall to wall? paths only around greens/tees? none?  N/A
7. Do you still hate cart paths, even if they are really well hidden? Doesn't matter if they are well hidden, but at my course there are several that are strategically placed to severely punish slightly crooked shots.  Thank you Arthur Hills.
8. In general, do you despise golfers who ride in carts? Not when I'm riding, but when I'm walking they look ridiculous.
9. Do you despise golfers who ride when the course is easily walk-able and the weather is perfect? See no. 8.
10. Make up a question and answer it. 

[Kevin Pallier]

1. Who walks 100% of the time? No - though I try to walk wherever possible
2. When you walk, do you carry your bag or pull it? I have a push cart - though when travelling often carry it
3. How much of a factor does weather influence your decision? Not much
4. How much of a factor does your playing group influence your decision? Not much
5. When you decide not to walk, are you glad there are cart paths? Dont care
6. Supers, would you rather have wall to wall? paths only around greens/tees? none? Am not a super - though I do like them hidden
7. Do you still hate cart paths, even if they are really well hidden? No - I understand they have their place re: resort courses though I feel more thought could go into their placement
8. In general, do you despise golfers who ride in carts? No - its a personal choice
9. Do you despise golfers who ride when the course is easily walk-able and the weather is perfect? See above - though I often think unless a medical condition exists maybe a walk could perhaps be a good thing  ?

[Mac Plumart]

1. Who walks 100% of the time?  Not me.  I'm probably 50/50 split.
2. When you walk, do you carry your bag or pull it? Carry my own or go with caddies.  75/25 split.
3. How much of a factor does weather influence your decision?75%;over 100 degrees and I am hesitant to walk 18;9 is ok.
4. How much of a factor does your playing group influence your decision?  99%.  If the ride, I usually ride.
5. When you decide not to walk, are you glad there are cart paths?  No.
6. Supers, would you rather have wall to wall? paths only around greens/tees? none? n/a
7. Do you still hate cart paths, even if they are really well hidden?  Hate is a strong word. I prefer not to have them.
8. In general, do you despise golfers who ride in carts?  Not at all.  Unless their initials are J.K. and live in the midwest.   
9. Do you despise golfers who ride when the course is easily walk-able and the weather is perfect? Nope...see above.
10. Make up another question and answer it.  What is your favorite course to walk?  The Golf Club

[Jud_T]

What if we simply institute a rule that you can only post while walking on a treadmill at Level 4 or higher and dispense with playing golf all together.  Just think of all the calories you're NOT burning while lining up the cheater line 36 times...

[Mac Plumart]

What if we simply institute a rule that you can only post while walking on a treadmill at Level 4 or higher and dispense with playing golf all together.  Just think of all the calories you're NOT burning while lining up the cheater line 36 times...

Jud...that is okay...but we could just let people play golf the way they want to.  Walk, ride, keep score, don't keep score, drink beer, not drink beer, whatever...HOWEVER, we all must play quickly, fix ball marks and divots.

Just a thought.

[Mark Johnson]

1. Who walks 100% of the time?  Unless playing with riders or the distance between holes is too great.
2. When you walk, do you carry your bag or pull it?  Usually push, sometime a sunday bag
3. How much of a factor does weather influence your decision? My 90 degree rule is that i wont walk a hilly course over 90 degrees
4. How much of a factor does your playing group influence your decision? a good deal; i dont like being the only wider
5. When you decide not to walk, are you glad there are cart paths? doesnt matter;  i tend to play private courses where peopel know where to drive carts
6. Supers, would you rather have wall to wall? paths only around greens/tees? none?  N/A
7. Do you still hate cart paths, even if they are really well hidden? No issue as long as they dont come into play;  also, prefer stone or dirt to asphalt
8. In general, do you despise golfers who ride in carts?  No
9. Do you despise golfers who ride when the course is easily walk-able and the weather is perfect? No.  Game is declining in popularity; wont criticize anyone who wants to play
10. Make up another question and answer it.
Biggest pet peeve on golf courses?
1) no wood boxes on par 3 tees to collect broken tees
2) bunker rakes left in a position where they come into play
3) People playing from wrong tees
4) Anyone who complains about playing ready golf

[Scott Warren]

J Cabarcos:

I am just waiting to read a post which states that they live in South Florida or Arizona and walk 100% of the time.  Fat chance.

There are plenty of golfers -- a majority, I would suggest -- who walk near enough to 100% of the time all around Australia.

You often hear folks in the southern US states lament the heat in summer as an impediment to walking. I thought it would be interesting to compare.

Average mid-summer maximum
US
Miami 32C (89f)
Atlanta 32C (89f)
Dallas 36C (96f)
Phoenix 40C (104f)

Aus
Melbourne 26C (79f)
Western Sydney 30C (86f)
Brisbane 30C (86f)
Perth 31C (88f)

Now I realise humidity is a big factor.

Sydney is 34 degrees south. Atlanta is 34 degrees north.
Brisbane is 27 degrees south. Miami is 26 degrees north.

I can definitely appreciate why folks in AZ and TX might feel the need to ride in summer, but the Florida, Georgia, Alabama etc area I can't say those figures really scream to me that in summer you can't walk.

As I said earlier in the thread -- to each their own. I don't mind if folks want to ride, but I reckon there are some long bows being drawn when the weather is blamed for electing to ride.

[Tim Martin]

I occasionally enjoy being in a group where everyone wants to ride and I want to walk. I will gladly pay the cart fee and strap my bag in. I can then walk without having to lug the bag.

[Melvyn Morrow]

I think you fully understand how important Walking is in Golf when you find that you can no longer enjoy that most enjoyable of past times ‘Walking.

I sympathise with all those who need assistance to get around and frown on all able bodied riders who are watering down a great game due to their refusal to play the game as it has been for centuries. The meek seem to have already inherited the world as those with difficulty walking would never give up so easily. In riding you have already forfeited over 50% of the pleasure of Golf and forced Designers to scar our course due to the high wear and tear caused by cart traffic.

Melvyn 

[Tim Martin]

J Cabarcos:

I am just waiting to read a post which states that they live in South Florida or Arizona and walk 100% of the time.  Fat chance.

There are plenty of golfers -- a majority, I would suggest -- who walk near enough to 100% of the time all around Australia.

You often hear folks in the southern US states lament the heat in summer as an impediment to walking. I thought it would be interesting to compare.

Average mid-summer maximum
US
Miami 32C (89f)
Atlanta 32C (89f)
Dallas 36C (96f)
Phoenix 40C (104f)

Aus
Melbourne 26C (79f)
Western Sydney 30C (86f)
Brisbane 30C (86f)
Perth 31C (88f)

Now I realise humidity is a big factor.

Sydney is 34 degrees south. Atlanta is 34 degrees north.
Brisbane is 27 degrees south. Miami is 26 degrees north.

I can definitely appreciate why folks in AZ and TX might feel the need to ride in summer, but the Florida, Georgia, Alabama etc area I can't say those figures really scream to me that in summer you can't walk.

As I said earlier in the thread -- to each their own. I don't mind if folks want to ride, but I reckon there are some long bows being drawn when the weather is blamed for electing to ride.

Scott-Have you ever been to Miami in July and August? The heat and humidity combined will have the fittest of the fit begging for a cart from 10:00 a.m. forward. Georgia and Alabama are about the same.

[JC Jones]

Brick Tamland,

Have you been to the southeastern United States in the summer?  

Or are you giving us a "you can see the white cliffs of Dover from RSG" type of weather report?

Take a look at heat index to determine the actual effects of humidity.

[Tim Martin]

Brick Tamland,

Have you been to the southeastern United States in the summer?  

Or are you giving us a "you can see the white cliffs of Dover from RSG" type of weather report?

Take a look at heat index to determine the actual effects of humidity.

 

[Mike Hamilton]

J Cabarcos:

I am just waiting to read a post which states that they live in South Florida or Arizona and walk 100% of the time.  Fat chance.

There are plenty of golfers -- a majority, I would suggest -- who walk near enough to 100% of the time all around Australia.

You often hear folks in the southern US states lament the heat in summer as an impediment to walking. I thought it would be interesting to compare.

Average mid-summer maximum
US
Miami 32C (89f)
Atlanta 32C (89f)
Dallas 36C (96f)
Phoenix 40C (104f)

Aus
Melbourne 26C (79f)
Western Sydney 30C (86f)
Brisbane 30C (86f)
Perth 31C (88f)

Now I realise humidity is a big factor.

Sydney is 34 degrees south. Atlanta is 34 degrees north.
Brisbane is 27 degrees south. Miami is 26 degrees north.

I can definitely appreciate why folks in AZ and TX might feel the need to ride in summer, but the Florida, Georgia, Alabama etc area I can't say those figures really scream to me that in summer you can't walk.

As I said earlier in the thread -- to each their own. I don't mind if folks want to ride, but I reckon there are some long bows being drawn when the weather is blamed for electing to ride.

In Perth where the average maximum temp is 88F in Feb, the average 1500hr RH ~35% and the heat index at that level is basically about the same as the temperture, 88 or 89F.

In Richmond, VA, which is a good 700-800 mile NORTH of Miami, the highs are regularly in the mid 90s in July and Aug (the July average is  89), but the midafternoon RH is more like 55%.  THe heat index is closer to 100F at 89F and 55% RH.  My guess is the average high this July and early Aug was closer to 95.  At 95deg and 55% RH you get a heat index of 110.

When I go cycling I pay more attention to the RH than the temperature, especially due to the cooling effect of the breeze created from cycling at 20 or so mph.  I will go out at 100F and 30% RH before 80-85F and 60-70%RH.  It makes  an enormous difference.

At 110 heat indexes feel free to walk, but don't give folks who choose not to grief.  THat level of heat can be dangerous depending on how fit you are and how well you stay hydrated.

I can take the heat, but I golf for fun.  And carrying a bag in that heat to me is not.