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How much exercise is 18 holes of golf?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 24, 2026

Studies of golfers have found that playing 18 holes is about equal to brisk walking in terms of intensity—even though golf walking is stop-and-go.

Is 18 holes of golf good exercise?

The World Golf Foundation estimates that golfers who walk an 18-hole course clock about 5 miles and burn up to 2,000 calories. But here's the rub: About two-thirds of golf in the U.S. is played in motorized carts. Some resorts and private courses even restrict walking and require carts.

How many calories burned 18 holes golf?

For an 18-hole round of golf, which can run from 4-5.5 hours, a walking golfer can burn anywhere from 1,200-3,000 calories. A golfer won't burn quite as many calories if they're walking the course but using a push cart, but the energy expended to push or pull a walking cart will come close to making up the difference.

What level of exercise is golf?

Golf offers both cardiovascular and strength exercise. A full round normally equates to around 3.6 to 3.8 miles, depending on where and how you play. Granted, again, a cart user will walk a bit less but they will still get plenty of exercise and certainly more than you would sitting on the couch.

How far do you walk if you play 18 holes of golf?

Play a round of regulation 18-hole golf on most courses and you'll walk anywhere between 3 and 6 miles, depending on the length of the course, how much walking you do before and after your game, and how often you have to wander off course in search of lost balls.

32 related questions found

Is golf a good exercise?

Golf can be good for your health and your heart. Walking an average course for a round of golf can be between five to seven kilometres. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you'll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart.

Is golf considered strenuous exercise?

Golf provides moderate-intensity physical activity that is recommended for people of all ages and genders for the longevity, physical and mental health benefits it offers, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Can you lose weight playing golf?

Golf can absolutely help you lose weight. Walking an 18-hole golf course in four hours can burn up to 800 calories, or even more if the terrain is hilly and if you are carrying your golf clubs in a carry bag.

Is golf considered cardio?

In reality, golf incorporates cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and even balance and coordination. With all of these benefits, it's hard to say no to a game of golf. One of the best parts of golf, from a fitness standpoint, is the high amount of cardiovascular activity that is involved in the sport.

Does hitting golf balls burn calories?

If you figure you hit about 100 or so golf balls at the driving range in an hour, it works out to about two calories per swing. A fair estimate is that you burn anywhere from two to four calories each time you swing a golf club.

Do you play better golf walking or riding?

A golfer usually burns twice as many calories walking 18 holes as does one who rides. Walking 18 holes is equivalent to a 3.5 – 4 mile run and can exceed 10,000 steps during a typical golf round.

Is walking 9 holes good exercise?

By walking six days per week and play 9 holes while carrying clubs one day a week, it's possible to burn as much as a 3500 extra calories every week.

How many miles is 9 holes of golf?

The average distance walked was 6.6 miles, or a distance 69% greater than the scorecard yardage alone. The shortest distance walked was 5.7 miles, or a distance 47% greater than the scorecard yardage alone. The longest distance walked was 7.8 miles, or precisely double the scorecard's yardage!

Is golf good exercise with a cart?

Unfortunately, golf does not provide much of a workout, especially if you use a cart to transport yourself around the course.

Is golf a high intensity sport?

Golf is primarily a moderate intensity PA, but may be low intensity depending on the playing population and various modifiers. Less PA is accrued by those who ride a golf cart compared with those walking the course. conclusions Golf can be encouraged in order to attain PA recommendations.

How do I increase my stamina for golf?

CARDIO: Endurance and cardio-specific exercises such as cycling, walking, swimming or running, for about thirty minutes per day should be added to your training regimen. If you are older, just get out and move your legs, take a brisk walk, stay active and you will be able to translate that energy to the golf course.

What muscles does golf work?

The most important muscles for golf are located in your core—which includes your chest and back—your forearms, and your butt. These muscles allow you to control the force and rotation of your swing, giving you more power over the ball itself.

Does golf tone your arms?

If you think that Golf is a low-impact, leisurely sport then you are mistaken. This game is great for your upper body, including your arms and back. The act of hitting the ball with a golf club has a strong impact on your core and arms muscles.

How do you get in shape for golf?

Here are five at-home exercises to improve your golf game

  1. Split Squat: This is a lower-body exercise that works on mobility, stability and strength. ...
  2. Deadbug: Deadbugs are a great exercise for strengthening your core. ...
  3. Push-ups: ...
  4. Pelvic Rotation: ...
  5. Full Body Turn:

Is golf considered light exercise?

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine states that golf provides moderate-intensity physical activity that is recommended for people of all ages and genders for the physical and mental health benefits it offers.

How many hours do golf pros practice?

In a day, the average tour pro spends about three to four hours concentrating on the full swing and an equal amount of time on the short-game. But tour pros are not just beating balls or blindly rolling putts.

Is golf bad for your body?

Although golf is a low-impact sport, it's associated with several injuries. Many golfing-related injuries are a result of poor mechanics or overuse. The most commonly injured area is the lower back. Other injured areas can include the elbow, wrist and hand, and shoulder.

How long does 18 holes of golf usually take?

The answer to how long a round of golf takes varies from course to course, day to day. There are tons of factors that go into it, but an average round is 4 hours and 30 minutes. A longer round of golf is considered slow day. A shorter round of golf means a good pace of play.

How many miles is 10 000 steps?

How many steps in a mile? An average person has a stride length of approximately 2.1 to 2.5 feet. That means that it takes over 2,000 steps to walk one mile and 10,000 steps would be almost 5 miles.

How long does it take to shoot 18 holes of golf?

The stock answer is about 4 hours for 18 holes. Of course, pace of play really depends on a lot of factors: the skill level of the players in your group and on the course, the difficulty of the course, the space in between holes and how many people are on the golf course.