Hoof it! Don't let golf cars spoil our game

Golf started out as a walking game…for that matter, it still is in most of the world outside of this country. If you haven’t experienced golf beyond the continental limits of the USA you may not fathom the reality that exists elsewhere…that is, pulling a “trolley,” (a cart to us) or packing your bag and doing it in less than four hours. Doesn’t there seem to be a connection between the fact that we live in the fattest country in the world, where obesity is epidemic, yet choose to eliminate the most important exercise element that is built into the game, walking, and substitute a vehicle for transporting our equipment, and more importantly, ourselves.

It disturbs me to see young people, particularly high school students, driving a golf car when they should be ‘hoofing it’ and lugging their bag. They should do it not only for the exercise, but also, for the camaraderie which is greater by far in a walking foursome than in two riding carts.

I know there are resort courses and others who require that you take a golf car to play there. What they really require however is that you pay for one. If you can get someone to drive (I tell my playing partner that my doctor won’t let me ride) the facility doesn’t care as long as they get the money…which of course is what riding is mostly about. (Exempted are the infirm who couldn’t play otherwise.)

If your companion also wants to walk and get something physically worthwhile from the outing, you simply alternate driving/riding every other hole, which is a good compromise. Walking gives you additional time to enjoy the experience and puts you into a better rhythm pattern for making a good swing. Rather than speeding up to your ball, to get out and hit, you can establish a better tempo by walking. Mark Twain once said, “Golf is a good walk spoiled.” Today he would say, “If you want to spoil a good walk, ride in a golf car.”