To Walk More at the Golf Course... 'Remember This'

Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol by Walking on Golf Course
Prevent Ball Accident by Walking After All Shots Are Done
Carry Multiple Clubs to Prepare for Missed Shots
Read Lines Around the Green by Walking Around

These days, office workers do not walk much. When handling various tasks, there is not much time. They commute to and from work mostly by public transportation. The benefits of walking are well known. If done daily, it improves stamina and creates a sense of happiness. It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. There are also studies showing its effectiveness against depression. Especially, walking at a golf course is a ‘blessing.’ You can freely tread on the green grass. Walking 18 holes burns 1000 to 1500 kcal. Cardiovascular function improves. Walking for 5 hours in sunlight and fresh air also helps you sleep well. It also aids in dieting. You can see a weight loss of 2 to 3 kg.

Walking diligently and frequently on the golf course improves both health and score.

Asia Economy has been promoting the nationwide brain health project called Hamanhacheon (Haru Manbo Harucheonja) exercise since 2023. From the 15th of this month to July 14th, it will start an untact ‘Golf Course Grass 10,000 Steps Walking Challenge.’ Generally, people ride carts at golf courses for faster game progress. Reducing cart rides and walking instead yields perfect benefits. So, how should one walk at a golf course?

There is no better place to walk than a golf course. The risk of accidents and injuries is low. If it does not interfere with the game progress, you should walk unconditionally. Walking 18 holes amounts to more than 10,000 steps. Golfers who walk a lot can reach up to 15,000 steps. To play walking golf at a golf course, it is important to hit the ball straight. If you send the ball only to the fairway and green, there is no problem with game progress. But if you hit the tee shot to a wrong place and get into trouble near the green, naturally the caddie will suggest riding the cart to move quickly.

Using a rangefinder while walking on the golf course can shorten play time.

Of course, walking golf is possible even if your score is bad. You just need to prepare well. After the tee shot, carry several clubs. There is no rule that you must succeed in getting on the green. You can bring a few extra clubs in case of a missed shot. Carrying wedges and such makes the progress much easier. The caddie has no reason to complain about playing while walking. When the ball lands near the green, be sure to check the slope and shape of the green. Do not just measure the distance simply. Put in the effort. Imagine in your mind the direction the ball will roll from where it landed to the pin.

The most important thing in walking golf is safety. Some golfers try to move quickly by going ahead right after their tee shot. You should walk to the fairway only after all your companions have finished their tee shots. Otherwise, you may interfere with their play and risk being hit by a ball. Go out after confirming the last player’s shot. If you feel you are late, you can jog lightly. Since you brought extra clubs, you do not need to hand clubs to the caddie. After measuring the distance with your own rangefinder, select the club that matches the remaining distance and immediately take your shot.

Also, carefully examine the putting green. The golfer leads the line reading. At a golf course you are visiting for the first time, just ask the caddie for directions. Look at the ball on the green from the front and also check from the opposite side. Although it is bothersome, checking left and right is best. Walking around the green increases your step count significantly. You will say, ‘When did I walk this much?’ It is a moment when you are happier about having walked all day than about your golf score.

If progress is slow while walking on the golf course, you can jog lightly.

At a golf course, there are times when you wait to tee off. You can experience this at a par 3 hole. Walking around until you hole out is not bad. The same applies on the fairway. When there are players ahead on the green and you have time, do not just stand still; keep moving. Picking up trash or repairing divots is also fine. To walk a lot, it is important to keep moving continuously. On gentle uphill courses, always walk. It is like steadily climbing stairs. Your thighs and calves get trained. The effect of walking is more certain.

Most golf courses in Korea are built on mountainous terrain. Some have steep uphill and downhill slopes. If the slope between holes is steep, be cautious about walking. In such cases, riding a cart for safety is not a bad idea. When playing walking golf, it is important not to disrupt the flow. Walking brings blessings. Walking also lowers your score. The American Health & Sports Science announced that ‘walking golf reduces your score by about 3 strokes.’ The recent weather is perfect for walking golf. It is neither cold nor hot. It is the season to enjoy walking energetically on the field.