Michigan Golf Journal May 2020

Michigan Golf Journal Walk vs. Ride There is what some would call a ‘lost art’ to the game of golf – walking the course instead of riding in carts. Yet with the ‘new normal’ looming ahead, restricting how we will play golf, walking might be the only way most golfers can traverse the course under social distancing for a while. After the virus dust settles, many golfers might continue the new habit. Competitive golfers walk all the time as part of the rules – be it juniors, high school, college or the professional tours. Most people view walking simply as a golf tradition – but maybe those low handicappers know something we don’t and actually play better, too, in addition to gaining healthy benefits. Rather than quick, jerky, stop- and-go, lateral movements crisscrossing the fairway to reach your cart-riding partner’s ball, consider how walking would keep your round at a more even tempo. This can lead to better playing rhythm, improved target orientation and club selection enhancement. Walking toward your ball with the next target location in sight gives the player more prep time to ‘see the shot’ and think about club selection for that shot at hand. Several medical studies have shown walking golfers reduced their levels of bad cholesterol, while keeping their good cholesterol steady, whereas a control Better Health, Better Play for Some are Just a Couple By Tom Lang Benefits of Walking the Golf C urse