What Percentage of Golfers Walk?

Ever wonder just how many of your fellow golfers are ditching the cart and striding down the fairways? The choice between walking and riding is a constant conversation in clubhouses everywhere, but the actual numbers might surprise you. This article will break down the latest data on walking golfers, explore the distinct advantages of both walking and riding, and provide a practical guide for anyone looking to lace up their shoes and experience the game on foot.

The Real Numbers: What Percentage of Golfers Walk?

Pinning down a single, definitive number for walking golfers isn't as simple as it seems, as it fluctuates based on geography, course type, and age. However, research from leading golf organizations like the National Golf Foundation (NGF) provides a solid picture. In the United States, an estimated 41% of all rounds are played completely on foot.

But that figure tells only part of the story. Here’s a closer look at what influences that number:

• Method of Walking: Merely saying "walking" is too broad. This 41% includes golfers who carry their own bag, use a push cart, use a pull cart, or hire a caddie. Push carts have become overwhelmingly popular and are the most common way golfers walk the course today.
• Course Design Matters: A classic links course in Scotland or a traditional American parkland layout is built for walking. The greens and tees are close together, and the terrain is manageable. Conversely, many modern resort or real-estate-driven courses are "cart-ball" designs, with long scenic drives between holes that make walking impractical, if not impossible.
• The Age Factor: While you might assume younger players do all the walking, the data can be surprising. Many dedicated senior golfers grew up walking and continue to do so for the health benefits. Younger players, often introduced to the game on high school teams where walking is mandatory, also show a high propensity for walking. The choice is often more about fitness and tradition than age itself.
• Geographic and Cultural Divides: In places like the UK and Ireland, walking is the standard, riding in a cart is the exception. In the U.S., particularly in regions with hot climates like Florida or Arizona, or at high-end resorts prioritizing pace of play, carts are the dominant mode of transportation.

Why Walk? The On-Course Coaching Perspective

As a coach, I encourage my students to walk the course whenever possible. The benefits go far beyond just getting some exercise. It’s about engaging with the game on a much deeper, more effective level. Here’s why walking can actively help you play a better round of golf.

Finding and Maintaining Your Rhythm

This is the single biggest performance benefit of walking. Golf isn't a game of sudden, explosive movements separated by long periods of rest. It's a game of rhythm and flow. When you ride in a cart, you drive to your ball, sit, wait, and then are suddenly expected to pop out and execute a complex athletic motion. Your body cools down, your mind wanders, and you get disconnected from the round.

Walking changes that dynamic completely. The steady pace between shots keeps your muscles warm and loose. It gives your mind a few precious moments to process the previous shot - good or bad - and then focus on the next. The walk itself becomes a sort of moving meditation, a natural metronome for your entire round. You arrive at your ball not cold, but in a state of readiness, making it much easier to fall into a consistent pre-shot routine and execute a smooth, rhythmic swing.

A Deeper Connection and Better Strategy

You see the golf course in a completely different way when you walk it. From a cart, the fairway can look like a flat, green ribbon. On foot, you literally feel the course. You notice the subtle-but-important undulations that can kick a ball left or right. You see the gradual slope up to the green that tells you an extra half-club is needed. You gauge the wind by feeling it consistently on your face as you approach your ball.

This intimate knowledge directly translates into better course management. Being on the ground gives you better sightlines and depth perception. You'll make better decisions about where to land the ball and what side of the green to miss on because you have a genuine feel for the terrain, not just a fleeting visual from a cart path.

The Overlooked Health Benefits

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth underlining. A round of golf is a substantial walk - typically covering four to six miles. Over the course of four hours, that translates into:

• Burning between 800 and 1,500 calories.
• A fantastic low-impact cardiovascular workout.
• Reduced stress and improved mental well-being from being outdoors and active.

These aren't just one-off benefits. For the regular golfer, choosing to walk twice a week can have a significant positive impact on long-term health, stamina, and overall fitness.

The Case for the Cart: When Riding is the Right Call

Walking isn't always the best or even a possible option. Opting for a golf cart isn't a sign of weakness, often, it’s the most logical choice for the situation. It’s important to understand and respect the reasons why millions of rounds are played from a cart every year.

Pace of Play Mandates

Many busy courses, especially public and resort courses, mandate carts to keep rounds moving at a specific pace (often around 4 hours and 15 minutes). This allows them to maximize tee times and prevent bottlenecks. While a two-person walking group can often keep pace with a four-person cart group, courses often enforce a universal policy to keep things simple.

Physical Limitations and Accessibility

For a huge segment of the golf population, carts are the single most important piece of equipment they own. They provide accessibility for seniors, players with chronic knee or back issues, or anyone who simply isn't physically able to walk an 18-hole round. Carts keep people in the game longer, allowing them to enjoy the social and competitive aspects of golf for years after walking becomes too strenuous.

Weather and Terrain

Trying to walk 18 holes in 95-degree heat with high humidity can be draining at best and dangerous at worst. Carts provide necessary shade and a respite from the elements. Likewise, playing a mountain course with dramatic elevation changes can feel more like a multi-hour hike than a round of golf. In these situations, a cart saves your energy for the swings, not the climbs.

Your Guide to Becoming a Walking Golfer

Thinking about making the switch? It's easier than you think. The key is to prepare properly and ease into it. Follow these steps to make your transition from rider to walker a smooth one.

Step 1: Get the Right Gear

Don't try to walk 18 holes with your massive, 40-pound cart bag. Your body will not thank you.

• The Bag: Invest in a lightweight stand bag if you plan to carry. Look for one with comfortable, well-padded dual straps that distribute weight evenly across your shoulders like a backpack.
• The Cart: If carrying isn't for you, get a good push cart. Modern three-wheel push carts are incredibly light, stable, and easy to maneuver. They do all the heavy lifting and save your back and shoulders.
• The Shoes: Your golf shoes suddenly become walking shoes. CComfort is paramount. Look for shoes that combine golf-specific stability and traction with the cushioned comfort of a high-quality walking shoe or sneaker.

Step 2: Lighten Your Load

This is a big one. Empty your bag of anything you don’t absolutely need for that day's round. You don't need 24 golf balls, three different gloves, a rain suit on a sunny day, or that heavy club-cleaning tool you never use. Pack like a traveler who has to carry their own luggage - essentials only.

Step 3: Ease Into It

Dont go from zero to 100. Don't make your first walking round 18 holes at the hilliest course in your area.

• Start with nine holes. See how your body feels.
• Try a Par-3 or executive course first. It's a great way to get used to the rhythm of walking without the long distances of a regulation course.
• Consider a "hybrid" round: Walk the front nine and grab a cart at the turn for the back nine.

Step 4: Know Course Policy and Maintain Pace

Before you go, call the course. Confirm that they allow walking and ask if there are any restrictions on when walkers can play. When you're out there, be mindful of your pace. A good walking golfer can be just as fast, if not faster, than a cart. The key is to play "ready golf" - walk to your ball while others are hitting, assess your shot before it's your turn, and be ready to swing when the coast is clear.

Final Thoughts

The choice to walk is a personal one, but a significant portion of the golfing community embraces it for the profound benefits it offers in health, rhythm, and strategic insight. Whether walking or riding, the ultimate goal is to enjoy your time on the course and play to the best of your ability.

No matter if you’re striding the fairways or riding the path, making smarter decisions is what truly lowers scores. We built Caddie AI to act as that trusted advisor in your pocket. It helps you think through tricky lies you discover while walking a fairway or develop a smart strategy for a tough hole you're seeing for the first time. We want to remove the guesswork on everything from club selection to course management, giving you the expert insight you need to play any shot with complete confidence.