Michigan Golf Journal May 2020

19 May 2020 www.michigangolfjournal.com group of riding golfers failed to show those good results. Other researchers calculated that four hours of playing golf and walking is comparable to a 45-minute fitness class, and it burns more calories than playing tennis. Many courses require motor cart use for various reasons. Other courses are designed and built for carts, where green to next tee distance can be a longer trip than the par 5 you just finished – or in northern Michigan, halfway up the side of a small mountain. In those cases, speed of play is an issue. “I view walking in a few different ways, including the obvious health benefits,” said Ken Fry, a retired PGA member in both Michigan and Indiana.  “I also view it from a course architecture standpoint. You can’t appreciate the way a hole flows from tee to green sitting off to the side in a cart.  Architecture is meant to be enjoyed from within the playing corridor.  I believe viewing a course this way allows for strategic decision making too, that hopefully leads to better scoring.” Fry added a long-term traditional walker’s perspective that he agrees needs 6-foot awareness during COVID-19. “Finally, walking is part of the social aspect of playing golf,” he continued. “If you’re in a cart at most you interact with one person and see the remaining group on tees and greens.  Walking allows conversation among the entire group throughout the round on a regular basis.”  It goes without saying, some people have physical limitations regarding walking; no one is trying to put you down for riding. For me, when I ride, at minimum I try trading off driving duties with my partner every few holes. One can drive the cart after teeing off while the other walks to their ball, taking a couple clubs for second shot selection. Then the cart driver can pick up their partner on the way to the green complex. That increases exercise and reduces both players always driving/riding to both ball locations. For those who ‘go all the way’ and chose to carry their bag, consider the style that has backpack-like dual straps. This will better balance the bag on your back, rather than have all the weight tipped to one shoulder. MGJ