Why do I play better golf when I walk?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 06, 2026
You Could Improve Your Score
Is walking 9 holes of golf good exercise?
If a golfer choose to walk while playing golf -- either nine holes or 18 holes -- they're going to burn a substantial number of calories. The golf industry likes to say that a golfer will burn as many as 2,000 calories playing golf if they walk all 18 holes while carrying a golf bag -- which is usually 20-30 lbs.
How many miles do you walk during 18 holes of golf?
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.
What is the average distance walked in a round 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.
Can you improve golf just by playing?
The truth is it's not possible to play better golf or perform a consistent golf swing without some form of lessons. However, you can make significant improvements just by understanding some proven golf swing basics and fundamentals that any golfer can learn and implement.
40 related questions foundWhy am I not getting better at golf?
The biggest reason golfers don't improve is simple – what they are working on does not relate to improving impact. As I stated in my (most popular ever) article – The Only Thing The Golf Ball Cares About – the ONLY WAY you can improve your shot quality is to improve impact or the consistency of impact.
How often does the average golfer golf?
Golf. The Average golfer plays 60 rounds each year, practices 1 hour 11 minutes each week, and plays for 4.5 hours each week.
Is walking 18 holes of golf good exercise?
Walking golf is a great exercise for children and adults who love playing this invigorating sport. People who forgo the golf carts and hoof it on foot can find themselves burning off between 1,000 to 1,500 calories when playing all 18-holes. You can burn off more calories by carrying your clubs.
Is golf driving range good exercise?
Swing Your Way to Better Health
Provided you're committed to improving your game through frequent visits to the driving range, this workout can help you work toward a slimmer body. The website CalorieLab notes a 150-pound person burns about 136 calories in 60 minutes at the driving range.
How many miles is 10000 steps?
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 many calories burned golfing with cart?
When you play golf with a cart, you will burn around 1000 calories during an eighteen-hole round. You can expect about half as much when you play nine holes of golf.
What does the average golfer shoot?
The average golfer shoots over 100 for 18 holes (and it's likely higher than that because many don't play completely by the rules). You've probably also heard that the average score, even with all the advancements in the game in recent years, has remained consistent for decades.
How long does it take to walk 5 miles?
But in general, briskly walking a mile can take anywhere from 13 to 20 minutes, according to UC Berkeley. As a result, the time it takes to walk 5 miles can range between an hour and five minutes to an hour and 40 minutes.
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.
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.
How many calories does 18 holes of golf burn?
Playing 18 holes of golf burns anywhere from 800-1,500 calories, a significant amount considering the average moderately active adult male should consume between 2,200-2,800 calories per day, a range that drops to 1,800-2,200 per day for females.
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
A standard amateur golfer can hit a 7 iron from 128 yards to 158 yards. The lower range will be for women and senior golfers. To hit the ball over 150 yards in total distance with a 7 iron club, an amateur golfer will have to have a good swing and be physically fit.
Does golf burn calories range?
The average person burns 350-475 calories per hour playing golf. At the driving range they will burn 200-300 calories per hour. The number of calories burned depends on your weight and the intenstiy of your activity. A 200-pound person walking and pulling their clubs will burn 515 calories per hour.
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.
What is considered a good golfer?
The survey found golfers around 16 to 20 handicap to be the average golfer. The USPAG puts the “official” average at a 15 handicap. This would mean a player who typically scores around 90 on the average course.
Is it better to push or pull a golf cart?
Pushing is way easier than pulling and is less taxing on the shoulder muscles, muscles better used on the swing than on pulling a cart. It makes sense; golf push carts efficiently transfer energy from the natural walking position to the wheels.
Do pro golfers use carts?
Carts are allowed for play on the PGA Tour Champions, where the 53-year-old Daly plays a majority of his golf these days. A PGA Tour Champions regulation states that “All PGA Tour Champions players are encouraged to walk whenever possible.”
How old is the average golfer?
While in recent years the popularity of golf among younger people has grown, the majority of players are still of an older age. The median age of a golfer in the U.S. is 54, continuing to draw in an older crowd.
What is a normal golf handicap?
What is the golf handicap of an average golfer? Based on the primary services that maintain golf handicaps, the average male golf handicap is a 16 and the average female golfer is a 28 golf handicap. For perspective, the top players on the PGA tour have golf handicaps in the +6 to +8 range!
How good is a 74 in golf?
A good score for a professional golfer is typically under 72. Professional golfers are a clear outlier in this discussion. Typically, the pros perform somewhere below this 90 stroke average and often have games below the 72 stroke par of a course.