Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

Look around most golf courses these days and you see carts, not caddies. More and more courses are even requiring carts - disturbing when you consider that obesity has risen dramatically over the last 20 years in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the percentage of obese adults rose in 23 states just this past year, according to a recent survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health.

Don’t think walking a golf course amounts to much? Think again - plenty of research demonstrates otherwise. Research indicates that walking golfers reduce their levels of bad cholesterol and that four hours of golf is equivalent to a 45-minute fitness class.

According to a recent report by the Rose Center for Health and Sport Sciences:

• Walking nine holes on a hilly course is equivalent to a 2.5-mile walk. Ride the cart on the same course and you’re only logging .5 miles of walking (generally to and from your cart).
• Walk 36 holes a week and you burn nearly 3,000 calories. Now consider that burning 2,500 a week has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
• Walking nine holes while carrying a golf bag burned about 721 calories; using a push cart - 718 calories; using a caddie - 613 calories; and riding - only 411 calories. 

So, let’s say you start walking the course again. Should you start hefting your bag as well for added health benefits? According to the study - not necessarily. Research indicated very similar rates of calorie burning for carrying (721) and pushing (718) your bag. But it also noted higher golf scores associated with carrying your bag. Those who pushed a cart had an average score of 40; those who used a caddie came in at 42; those who rode followed at 43; and those who carried their bag came in last, at 45. Why? Most likely lactic acid that builds up when you cross your anaerobic threshold by hefting your bag. Lactic acid tends to affect one’s fine motor skills, and thus your golf score.

The study found that one’s anaerobic threshold also came into play (literally) after golfers walked two uphill holes. The study noted an increase in scores on these two uphill holes - again most likely due to the affect lactic acid has on one’s ability to swing consistently and correctly.

So grab a caddie and hit the links. Then there are two of you getting in shape, enjoying the course and connecting as human beings during a nice game of golf.