Golfers: Do You Walk or Ride?

When Should You Walk and When Should You Ride?

Let’s start with the obvious: walking a golf course feels better. Your legs get a proper stretch, your heart does a bit more than the bare minimum, and you feel more in tune with the course and your game. By the time you tap in on 18, you’ve earned that clubhouse sandwich and cold one, and they’re going to taste fantastic!

I walked the last five rounds of my golf season last year and felt fantastic. More energy. Clearer head. Even lost a few pounds, without doing anything drastic like giving up butter tarts.

But let’s be honest, walking isn’t always the easy play. It’s tough when your playing partners are zipping around in carts, and the temperature is north of 30°C.

Do Canadian Golfers Walk?

Hard numbers are about as scarce as birdies on a windy day, but a Golf Canada study suggests fewer than 40% of us walk 18 regularly. That’s still better than our neighbours to the south, where riding reigns supreme. But we’re not immune to the trend: more clubs, especially private and busy public ones, lean heavily on cart use. Why? Not just for the pace of play, but for the bottom line.

How Many Steps Are in 18 Holes?

You’ll log about 11,000 to 14,000 steps during a typical round. That’s 6 to 8 km, depending on how creatively your tee shots wander. Toss in a few hills, and you’ve got yourself a light hike with amazing scenery. Compare that to the average Canadian’s 4,819 steps a day, and golf starts to look like a decent fitness plan.

Riders get their steps in as well, albeit fewer than true walkers. Even with a cart, you'll still spend time walking to your ball, around the greens, and back and forth to the cart. But if maximizing your daily step count is part of the plan, walking wins by a comfortable margin.

The Health Perks of Ditching the Cart

Walking 18 holes can burn between 600 and 1,200 calories, depending on the course and how much you carry. Riding? You’ll burn about a third of that.

Walking also:

• Boosts cardiovascular health

• Helps you stay mentally dialled in

• Loosens you up (even if you start a little stiff), and let’s not forget—it gives you time to enjoy the scenery, the squirrels, and that one smug goose that refuses to get out of your way.

The Cost of Riding

At the top five courses in the Bay of Quinte and Prince Edward County, cart rentals run $20–$25 per rider for 18 holes. Play 40 rounds? That’s $800 to $1,000 in cart fees alone. Walking? Free. Even with a decent push cart, you’re saving money before you hit double digits.

Are Cart Fees Propping Up Green Fees?

Short answer: yes. Cart rentals can make up 15%–25% of a course’s annual revenue. That money helps fund everything from maintenance crews to tee box repairs. If everyone walked tomorrow, green fees would almost certainly climb. Walking is great for you, but it may not be great for the course’s books.

When Should You Walk—And When Should You Ride?

There are days when walking is the clear winner. Mild temps, familiar course, and a body that doesn’t feel like it just got hit by a truck. But there are also valid reasons to ride:

• Long treks between holes

• Summer heat that feels like soup

• An injury or just a long week

• Peer pressure from cart-riding buddies

Final Thoughts: Walk When You Can

Walking won’t just improve your fitness; it’ll improve your relationship with the game. You see more, feel more, and play with more intention. That said, riding has its time and place, especially when comfort or pace becomes the priority. But if you’re looking for more energy, better focus, and fewer pounds by the end of the season, try walking a few more rounds. Your heart, and maybe your scorecard, will thank you.

Happy Golfing, Everyone

Stay safe. Stay well. Have fun.

Richard