Across much of the United States, riding in a golf cart has become the default way to play. But what if walking the course offered far more than just another way to get from tee to green?

New research from Professor Graeme Close, Professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University and Head of Nutrition to the DP World Tour and his team suggests it does. From significantly higher levels of physical activity to no measurable drop in golf performance, the findings reinforce the value of experiencing the game on foot.

The Research

The study was designed to compare the physical demands of walking the golf course with riding in a golf cart.

Golfers completed two separate rounds under identical conditions, one walking the course and the other riding in a golf cart. Throughout each round, researchers measured calorie expenditure, heart rate, movement, energy expenditure and golf performance, creating one of the clearest comparisons between the two ways of playing.

The findings paint a compelling picture.

One Round. More Than 17,000 Steps.

The most striking difference was just how much more physically active golfers were when they walked the course.

During an 18-hole round, golfers who walked burned an average of around 880 calories, compared to 456 calories when riding in a golf cart.

They also took an average of more than 17,000 steps, compared to just over 6,000 steps when riding. That's more than 10,000 additional steps in a single round.

For many golfers, one walk around the course can make a significant contribution toward the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

More Activity. Same Performance.

Many golfers assume that walking several miles will leave them feeling fatigued by the closing holes and affect their performance.

The research suggests otherwise.

Despite the increased physical demands of walking, golfers maintained comparable swing speed, ball speed and carry distance throughout the round. In other words, walking required considerably more physical effort, but it didn't reduce golf performance.

For everyday golfers, that's a significant finding. Walking the course allows golfers to enjoy the health benefits of greater physical activity without sacrificing the quality of their game.

More Than Just Exercise

The findings go well beyond calories and step counts.

Walking the course naturally changes the rhythm of a round. You experience the course differently. You have more time to appreciate each hole, enjoy conversations with your playing partners and immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Time spent outdoors, regular movement and social interaction all contribute to the broader health and wellness benefits associated with golf. Combined with the physical demands of walking, it's a reminder that golf is one of the few sports where exercise feels like part of the enjoyment, not a separate activity.

Making the Walk More Enjoyable

Walking the course doesn't have to mean carrying or pushing a heavy golf bag.

For many golfers, carrying or manually pushing clubs can lead to unnecessary fatigue over the course of a round. An electric caddie allows golfers to enjoy the benefits of walking while removing much of the physical effort involved in transporting their equipment.

At Stewart Golf, we've spent more than two decades designing electric caddies that make walking the course easier and more enjoyable. By taking care of your clubs, an electric caddie lets you focus on your game while still experiencing the physical and mental benefits of playing on foot.

The Takeaway

Professor Graeme Close's research reinforces what many golfers have long believed. Walking the course provides significantly greater physical activity than riding in a golf cart, without compromising golf performance.

Whether your goal is to stay active, improve your overall health or simply enjoy the game as it was designed to be played, walking offers benefits that extend far beyond the scorecard.

For golfers who want the best of both worlds, an electric caddie makes it easier to enjoy every step while conserving energy for what matters most: playing your best golf.