I like to walk the golf course. I always felt like it helped me play better.
Maybe it started in junior golf when you don’t have a choice. You walk in, carry your bag, and figure it out.
So when I came across a new study comparing walking and riding under tour-style conditions, I was curious.
The study was published in European Journal of Sports Science. Before we get too far, here’s a little study: 16 top-level male players in their early 20s. It’s a controlled look at an interesting topic, not the final word. Here’s what I found interesting.
How did they test it?
Each golfer played two rounds of 18 holes on the same championship course.
- A circular walk (bag carried by a caddy)
- A round of riding in a golf cart
- Random order, so each player did both
They tracked:
- Counting steps
- Calories burned
- Heart rate
- Core temperature
- Perceived effort
- Club head speed
- Ball speed
- Keep your distance
- Lower body strength after rotation
Walking is a lot more work
The physical difference between walking and riding was not subtle. I expected that to be the case, and these guys had a caddy, so you can imagine the increase with carrying or even pushing the bag.
| Metrics | Walking | ride (carriage) | The difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counting steps | 17,007 | 6274 | +10,733 steps |
| Energy Costs | 880 kcal | 456 kcal | +424 kcal |
| Average heart rate | 109 bpm | 94 bpm | +15 bpm |
| Post-Round Exercise (RPE) | 41 | 25 | Greater fatigue while walking |
| Lower Body Strength After Round (CMJ) | Greater decline | Stores better | Walking caused more neuromuscular fatigue |
Where walking made the difference
After the round, the walking group showed a greater decrease in lower body strength. They were more tired. They burned more energy and put more stress on the body.
But, and this is a big one, these players were young with an average age of just over 20 years old. They were competitive players and capable enough to handle that extra load without it showing in their movement. Clubhead speed, ball speed and carry distance were essentially unchanged over the 18 holes.
They ended up more tired, but didn’t lose measurable performance.
Now increase the average age by 20 or 30 years. Make those players 15 or 20 handicaps instead of single digits. When you’re on the 18th making a putt for 72, that’s one thing. When you grind a putt for 95, it might look a little different.
Walking felt better, even if it was harder
Here is the part that I found most interesting. Walking clearly increased physical strain.
But cognitively? There were no significant differences in workload between walking and riding. Interestingly, the players perceived their performance to be better when they were walking.
Walking feels more connected and purposeful.
The study did not show measurable improvements in swing from walking. But it showed this players believed they performed better when they were walking.
The researchers even suggested that future work explore whether these physical and cognitive differences become more significant during multi-day tours.
What should amateur players get out of this?
Here’s what I think this study actually tells us.
Walking significantly increases fatigue.
For young, competitive players in their early 20s, this fatigue did not change clubhead speed, ball speed or carry distance over 18 holes. For many amateur players, this may not be true.
Most players reading this:
- It’s not 21
- They are not single digit handicaps
- You don’t train and race regularly
- They are not recovering like college athletes
If walking is going to make a difference to your round, it will probably show up late in fatigue, decision-making, tempo or endurance. So what do you do with this?
1. Be in better physical condition
If you like to walk (like me), the answer is not automatically “drive more”. It may be that improving your cardiovascular fitness, strengthening your lower body, and building endurance, so 10,000 steps per day is not the maximum for you.
2. Hydrate and manage heat
The walking group had higher heart rates and temperatures. If you’re playing in hot conditions, drink more than you think you need, hydrate before your round starts, and pay attention to power downs on the back nine.
3. Understand that fatigue builds
This study looked at only one round per condition. But walking clearly created more physical strain.
If you are playing:
- Many days in a row
- A guest member
- A day of 36 holes
- A tournament weekend
This accumulated fatigue can be more important than during a round. carts it may not make you “better”, but it may help you stay more consistent when the volume increases.
Final thoughts
If you like to walk, be fit enough to handle it. If you’re going through a long, hot event and trying to maintain ball speed, distance, etc., riding may be smarter.
Post Is walking the golf course best for your game? A look at the new performance data appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
