Lower Cost
When golfing four or five days a week, as I do, cart fees can add up very quickly. I figured that, after paying for my first push cart, I avoided costs of $1,000 per year by walking the golf course. I used that money to fund a manual-control electric golf caddy. That investment was paid back in 3 months. Now I've moved up again to a remote-controlled electric caddy, the investment for which was paid back in about five months.
Getting Close on Cart Path Only Days
Taking my clubs to the ball when the course is wet and the "cart path only" rule is in effect brings up an age-old dilemma -- "Which club do I take?" Usually, I'm unsure and hence drag a couple higher irons to the ball, sometimes finding out that a tree is in play and I need a 3 iron to punch the ball out into the fairway. I can't tell you the number of times I didn't want to walk back, took the shot with a 7 or 8 iron and, you guessed it, the ball hit the tree and took a bad bounce - just because I didn't want to walk back to the cart to get the 3 iron.
More Exercise
It's no secret that walking the course provides more exercise. Walking 18 holes gets me an extra three miles of walking. Both the waist line and my stress levels are beneficiaries.
Less Guilt
Golfing takes time - time away from my family and work. When I walk with a push cart, I can better justify the time by saying to myself, "This takes the place of going to the gym."
Weight Control
When I walk the course regularly, my weight stays in control. I munch less on snacks during the round and I'm in far better physical condition.
