by Kiel Christianson
I walked 9 holes yesterday.
That said, you're right. Whenever I suggest playing 9 to my in-laws, or walking, most of them look utterly confused by the idea.
The comment that 9-hole rates should be equitable is right on, though, too. As is the observation about munis. Might be a demographic issue.

by Pete edwards
Since when is riding in a cart the more traditional way to play golf? In Scotland, you don't see the massive cart usage and in fact, you almost have to show a disability certificate to allow you to take one. They just don't allow it. The reason for the massive cart usage now is simply money - courses insist on cart usage which brings in more revenue to the club. So the "new North American tradition" is riding which why we are fat & lazy. All golfers should insist on walking because it is healthier and when done properly speeds up play.

by Larry Busch
Sounds like the courses you have described (Ben Crenshaw, Arnold Palmer layouts) are up scale, at least to me. Try your survey on municiple courses or on locally owned and operated courses that charge $22 to walk and $35 to ride. You'll find a much higher percentage of walkers and those wanting to play nine holes. One of the reasons I "love" to walk is because it makes golf more affordable.

by BOB ROGERS
I AGREE WITH YOU. MORE GOLFERS SHOULD WALK. MAYBE THE CLUBS SHOULD CHARGE FOR RENTAL CARTS. 40.00 PER. GOLFER

by Leigh
More people would likely play more rounds of nine holes if:
1 - the prices were more reasonable. Local course charge $40 to play 9 and $60 to play 18 - you might as well get the most for your money.
2 - official handicap scores were calculated at 9 holes versus 18. Too much info to manage and carry until you play your next 9 at same course to post scores.

by BOB ROGERS
THE COURSE THAT I PLAY ON HAS 9 HOLE PLAY. THIS COURSE HAS 27 HOLES SO IT IS OK TO PLAY 9. IF YOU HAVE ONLY 18 HOLES, THEN IT IS NOT OK.

by Ed
I walk about half the time I play. In fact, when I went to walk 18 at Boulder Creek, the guy at the counter said "I'll have a cart ready for you at the turn."
Here are some factors that I don't think were taken into account in your informal survey:
* The time of day
* How many holes
* Home course, or vacation
* Terrain
* Weather forecast
* Who you're with
I've noticed that morning golfers tend to use the cart more than the afternoon groups. If rain is in the forecast, I'll grab a cart so I'm not stuck 2 miles from the clubhouse in a downpour. And if I'm the only person in my group walking, I'll usually just ride to balance everything out.
When I play alone (which is most of my games,) I walk about 80% of the time. And that's no lie.

by Janet
I always walk when I play locally. But when I go on vacation I afford myself the luxury of riding. Also, have you ever played in New England where a course may literally be built out of the side of a mountain? Try walking one of those!

by B Grabell
I play 9 holes 2x week, once with 3 buddies and once in a league and it works great at keeping you swinging when 18 is not an option [I rarely play on weekends since it always takes much longer than on a weekday]. I walk when allowed and when it's appropriate - I am not looking to be exhausted on the last few holes. Playing in the northeast most courses allow walking and you see many players who still carry [i use a push cart]. What I do see is the walkers tend to be the middle age guys - the older guys ride due to the effort and a lot of younger guys walk so they can smoke their cigars and anyway most of them are 100 lbs overweight. Frankly, I find walking faster since most times you can't leave the cartpath, and I play better because I'm more focussed on playing instead of chatting.

by Jimbo
I can't figure out which I dislike most about American golf - Carts or cart paths!
The only reason for carts is they generate revenue, allow seniors and those with ailments to play, and they carry a cooler. Other than that, who needs them?
I can't complain much - where I play, they don't allow carts and there are no cart paths! Bethpage Black is still pure. No acceleration noise in your backswing - no tire tracks on the apron, no roped off areas... golf as it was meant to be.

by Lester Hinson
>>>"No acceleration noise in your backswing ..."
Acceleration noise? You're bothered by acceleration noise FROM A GOLF CART!?!?! What a pu**y!

by Jon Bayley
Maybe since you were playing at a “golf destination” course, you are more likely to see folks playing while on vacation. They would be more likely to ride to get the pampered treatment of getting away.
Or they were lazy and account for a large share of the population.
The municipal course across from my house has both riders and walkers, with more people walking than riding.
I would love to have the option of playing nine holes. With two small children, my playing time is limited and playing nine holes would offer me the chance to play and not be away from the home for half the day.

by Dave
God your such a twit !!
Speaking for those of us who do walk I say your a fool !!! I play 60 to 80 rounds a year and I'm lucky to ride 5 or 6 times a year.
Get out of your high priced glass house and come to the common man course and you'll see who's doing what.

by dh
Golfers almost exclusively take carts even at the common man courses. Here in Michigan at least. When I go to courses that actually allow walking, I'm usually the only one who is out there walking regardless of the type of neighborhood.
Rick Smith at Treetops built a walking-friendly course some years back with the intention of promoting caddies and the traditions of the game. A few years later I read an article that the vast majority, if not -everyone-, takes a cart.
People don't like to exert themselves. It makes them feel uncomfortable afterwards (muscle aches or whatever). For them, it's much easier to take a cart (or the elevator, or escalator, or the closest parking spot (a.k.a. handicapped spot), etc.)

by jb
I always walk and usually play only 9 due to time constraints. I believe fees for 9 should be half the rate for 18 to encourage more walkers. One more thing, cart rates should be half if you walk 9 and ride 9 if you want to ease into the walking routine for 18.