Golf is a game of choices: driver or 3-wood, sand wedge or lob wedge, cry now or cry later. But one decision looms larger than a bunker on a par-3—should you walk or ride those 18 holes? Both options have their fans, their quirks, and their moments of glory (or despair). Let’s tee up the pros and cons of walking versus riding a golf course, with a few chuckles along the way.
Walking: The Fairway Fitness Plan
Pros
- Exercise That Doesn’t Feel Like Torture: Walking 18 holes can burn 1,500–2,000 calories, roughly the equivalent of sprinting away from a bad slice. You’re getting fit while chasing a ball that hates you—multitasking at its finest.
- Zen and the Art of Golf Maintenance: Strolling the fairways lets you soak in the scenery, hear the birds, and pretend you’re in a golf movie montage. It’s meditative, until you realize your ball is in the rough… again.
- Bragging Rights: Nothing says “I’m a purist” like hoofing it for five miles with a 30-pound bag. You’ll earn nods from old-school golfers and maybe a free drink at the 19th hole for your “commitment to the game.”
- No Cart Path Drama: You’re free to roam where carts can’t go—like that shady spot near the water hazard where your ball is currently auditioning for Titanic 2.
Cons
- You’re Not Usain Bolt: By hole 14, your legs might feel like they’ve played 36 holes while carrying a piano. Fatigue can turn your swing into a slow-motion interpretive dance.
- Time Is Not Your Friend: Walking takes longer—sometimes much longer. If the group behind you is riding, expect passive-aggressive sighs and the occasional “Fore!” that feels personal.
- Weather Woes: Rain? Heat? Humidity? Walking turns you into a human weather gauge. You’ll be sweating through your polo or dodging lightning while cart-riders zip to safety.
- Bag-Schlepping Blues: Unless you’ve got a caddy (or a sherpa), lugging your clubs up hills feels like a CrossFit workout designed by a sadist.
Riding: The Motorized Mulligan
Pros
- Speedy Gonzales on the Fairway: Carts zip you from shot to shot, saving time and letting you finish 18 holes before your buddy’s “quick” story about his last birdie. Average round time? Slashed.
- Comfort Is King: Air-conditioned carts (on fancy courses) or just a seat to rest your weary bones? Yes, please. You’ll feel like royalty, even if your score says “peasant.”
- Cooler Full of Courage: Carts often come with storage for snacks, drinks, or that emergency beer to soothe the pain of a triple bogey. Hydration is key, right?
- Less Physical, More Mental: Save your energy for the mental gymnastics of reading greens and blaming your putter. Riding keeps you fresh for the back nine.
Cons
- Cart Path Purgatory: “Keep carts on path” signs are the golf equivalent of a prison sentence. You’ll trek 50 yards to your ball while your cart mocks you from the pavement.
- The Reckless Driver: If you’re paired with a wannabe NASCAR caddy, brace for sharp turns, near-misses with bunkers, and a lecture from the marshal about “cart etiquette.”
- Wallet Whiplash: Cart fees can sting—$20–$50 extra at some courses. That’s a lot of cash for a ride that doesn’t include a rollercoaster loop.
- Missed Scenery: Zipping past the course’s beauty in a cart is like speed-dating nature. You might miss the deer in the woods or the fact that your ball is now a duck’s new best friend.
The Verdict
Walking is for the romantics, the fitness buffs, and those who think golf should feel like a pilgrimage. Riding is for the pragmatists, the time-crunched, and anyone who believes golf is hard enough without turning it into a marathon. The real winner? The golf course, because it’s laughing at you either way—whether you’re limping to the 18th green or accidentally driving your cart into a sand trap.
So, next time you’re at the clubhouse, weigh your options: legs or wheels, sweat or speed. And if all else fails, just blame your score on the cart guy who gave you a bumpy ride. Happy golfing!
