A literature review conducted by the Walker Research Group revealed these numbers supporting the health and wellness benefits of golf:

  • Calories burned:
    • playing 18 holes and riding = 1,300
    • playing 18 holes, walking and using a pull cart = 1,500
    • playing 18 holes, walking and carrying your clubs = 2,000
  • A walked 18-hole round = 5 mile walk and meets the 10,000 steps per day guideline for exercise recommended by most medical and clinical physicians.
  • Since walking is biomechanically more efficient than running, walking an 18-hole round of golf is roughly equivalent to a 3.5 to 4 mile run.
  • Exercise intensity and energy cost of playing 9 holes = 40 minutes of lawn mowing for adult men.
  • Walking three 18-hole rounds per week provides enough exercise for weight maintenance for all ages.