Does walking instead of using a cart help your golf score?

Question

Many people have told me that walking helps your score but I have recently read a few articles that suggest the opposite. I walked the front 9 yesterday and scored a 50 and rode the back and scored a 51. Mentally I felt much better playing the front. What do you think and why?

Answer 1

I "prefer" to walk, but unfortunately many courses are now being designed in such a manner that makes walking impossible and impractical.  The older courses are much more walker-friendly; funny that.

When walking to your ball, you see the layout of the hole better than if you're in a buggy on some paved path.  Plus, you'll more likely see a sprinkler head (yardage mark) while walking.

I agree that the pull cart is a good option.

Answer 2

i would say using a cart b-cuz if u walk ti will make u tired den u wouldn't swing hard enough 2 get a better score!

Answer 3

I believe walking will improve your score.  So much of a good golf swing is about a smooth even tempo.  Riding in a cart, you hit your shot, drive up to the ball in less than a minute, then usually have to sit and wait for the people ahead to clear the green.  Then you hit your next shot, drive up to the green so quickly.  Everything gets to herky-jerky, stop and go all day.  When you walk you even out the pace so much better, and hopefully by the time you get up to your ball you can go ahead and hit your next shot without waiting.  Walking between shots gives you time to forget about the last shot and start forming a strategy for the next one.  It just gives you an overall better feel for your game, judging distances, the feel of the course that day.

Answer 4

I would say that walking is helps your score since you can think more about what to do for your next shot. And when your walking up to the green you can see more of the slope and breaks for your putt.

Answer 5

I think this depends on each individual's mentality and style of play. Try playing both ways for a while, and see if you develop a strong preference for one over the other.

I've found that I play better when I walk. Reasons? Maybe...

I stretch better before I walk

Walking keeps my muscles warmed up and "more loose" between shots

Walking to my ball gives me more time to consider my next shot

Walking keeps me from talking as much to my playing partners

See what works best for you. Best of luck!

Answer 6

I have always felt like I played better when walking, even if the score did not bear it out.  One thing to consider is the amount of "cooling off" you do from a bad shot  - when you are walking you have time to get over it vs. in a cart, you are right to your next shot and might not be in the right frame of mind to forget the last bad one and rush thru another.  Also, the exercize in walking is helping to pump those endorphins into the brain and self medicate that relaxed feeling that is conducive to an easy swinging tempo.  The only negative for me is the bag gets heavy towards the end and puts a little strain on my old back.  Really great when I can use a pull cart too.  

Answer 7

i shot a 43 walking. im 13 and that is my personal best. but on 18 hole me and my dad tied at 91 and we took a cart and the course was more difficult than the one i shot a 43 on. so im not sure?

Answer 8

Very much depends. If you're pretty old and worn out, using the cart may help the score.

Answer 9

For me, walking helps.  Riding a cart tightens my legs and back. Walking helps me stay focused.  It's normal to score higher on the back nine because it's normally slightly longer.

Answer 10

in a golf cart i seem to rush and not take long breakes so i hit bad cuz im not calmed down... if i walk i usally rest and im more calm cuz i took a break

Answer 11

For myself,  the rhythm of the game is lost when using a cart.  

I also find it very distracting to be forced at a course to use a cart, then it has to stay on the cart path while you walk back and forth for a club you didn't foresee needing,  like a lost dog.  Stick to walking as long as your health allows, cart golf sucks!