
Golf courses can be intimidatingly large, and it is interesting to consider how far players walk during a game. The distance covered depends on several factors, such as the course layout, tee-to-green distances, and the accuracy of the player's shots. On average, golfers walk between 4 and 6 miles during an 18-hole round, burning up to 2000 calories. This distance can be accurately measured using various methods, including mobile apps, fitness trackers, and pedometers. Golf is a great way to improve one's mental and physical health, and the walking involved provides a quality workout, aiding in better sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round | 4 to 6 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (including pre and post-round) | 4 to 4.5 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (with lost balls) | 5 to 6 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (burning 2,000+ calories) | 5 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (burning 700 to 1,200 calories) | 4 to 6 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (carrying clubs) | 5 to 6 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (carrying clubs on hilly terrain) | 6 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (pushing a cart) | 3.69 miles |
| Average distance walked during an 18-hole round (riding in a cart) | 1 mile |
| Average distance walked during a 9-hole round | 2 to 4 miles |
| Average distance walked by a pro golfer in a year | 188 to 491 miles |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Golfers walk between 4 and 6 miles during an 18-hole round
- The average golfer burns over 2,000 calories during an 18-hole round
- The average extra distance walked by golfers is 77% more than the scorecard length
- Golfers can use mobile apps or fitness trackers to record distances walked during a round
- Riding in a golf cart instead of walking reduces the amount of exercise you get

Golfers walk between 4 and 6 miles during an 18-hole round
Golf is a great way to take care of your mental health and get some exercise. Walking the course will give you a quality workout, and doing it regularly will help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
The distance a golfer walks during a round of golf depends on several factors, including the course layout, the distance from tee to green, and the golfer's accuracy. On average, golfers walk between 4 and 6 miles during an 18-hole round. This equates to about 10,000 to 14,000 steps, burning anywhere from 700 to 1,200 calories, especially if you're carrying your clubs or playing on hilly terrain.
If you include the walking done before and after a round, the total mileage can be around 4 to 4.5 miles. However, if there is a significant distance between the greens and tees, this yardage increases. The layout of the course also plays a role, as some courses have longer distances between holes.
While the scorecard gives the length of a course from tee to green, golfers often walk much farther than this stated distance. An average-length golf course, as measured on a scorecard, is 6,000 yards or more. However, golfers typically walk about 77% more than the scorecard length. So, on a 6,000-yard course, golfers would walk about 10,600 yards, or just over 6 miles.
There are several ways to track the distance walked during a round of golf. Mobile phone apps can record the distances and provide maps and speed information. Fitness trackers and pedometers are also popular choices, although they may not provide an exact distance measurement.
Golfing for Calm: A Hole-in-One for Anxiety Relief
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$119.94 $149.99

The average golfer burns over 2,000 calories during an 18-hole round
Golf is a great way to take care of your mental health and get some exercise. Walking the course will give you a quality workout, and doing it regularly will help you fall asleep faster and improve your sleep quality.
The number of calories burned during an 18-hole round of golf varies depending on various factors. These include the golfer's weight, gender, speed, and the course's length, terrain, and layout. According to Golf Monthly strength and conditioning coach Jamie Greaves, an 18-hole round of golf typically burns somewhere between 700 and 1,000 calories. However, some sources state that the calorie burn can be as high as 1,200 to 2,000+ calories, especially if the golfer is carrying their clubs or playing on hilly terrain.
To calculate the exact number of calories burned, you can use a golf pedometer or a fitness tracker. These devices can help you track the distance and steps walked, as well as the calories burned during your round of golf.
Walking the course is a surprisingly high-impact way to burn calories, and it can be more enjoyable and beneficial than other forms of exercise. Additionally, walking 18 holes while playing golf is equivalent to brisk walking in terms of intensity, which can provide great cardiovascular benefits.
So, while the exact number of calories burned during an 18-hole round of golf may vary, it is safe to say that it is a significant amount, and golfers can certainly expect to burn over 2,000 calories if they are carrying their clubs or playing on hilly terrain.
Golf Markers: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The average extra distance walked by golfers is 77% more than the scorecard length
Golf courses can be quite intimidating due to their size, and it is interesting to consider how far golfers walk during a round of golf. The scorecard gives the length of a course from tee to green, but golfers walk much further than this stated distance. The average extra distance walked by golfers is 77% more than the scorecard length, which equates to about 6 miles on an average 6,000-yard course. This distance covered can vary depending on the course layout, tee-to-green distances, and the accuracy of the golfer's shots.
There are various methods to track the distance walked on a golf course, including mobile phone apps, fitness trackers, and pedometers. These tools can provide maps of the area covered, speed, and the number of steps taken. Some golfers prefer to use a pedometer as it is a simple and inexpensive option, but it can be tricky to calculate the exact distance walked without knowing the length of one's stride.
The distance walked by golfers during a round can range from 4 to 6 miles, with some sources giving estimates as high as 7.8 miles. This distance can increase if there is a significant distance between the greens and tees, or if the golfer spends time searching for lost balls. Golfers who carry their clubs or play on hilly terrain can also expect to walk further.
Walking the golf course provides a quality workout, burning anywhere from 700 to 2,000+ calories, depending on various factors. It is a great way to improve one's physical and mental health, and it can also help with sleep by allowing people to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
While the average golfer walks over 5 miles during an 18-hole round, this distance can vary between individuals. For example, Danny Lee played 120 PGA Tour rounds in 2015, averaging about 491 miles walked for the year. On the other hand, Louis Oosthuizen played only 46 rounds that year, covering a distance of 188 miles.
Golfing in Green Valley: Haven's Course
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Golfers can use mobile apps or fitness trackers to record distances walked during a round
Another popular app is Golfshot, which provides advanced statistics such as swing ID, shot dispersion, and flag distances. Golfshot also offers a hands-free experience through its Apple Watch integration, allowing golfers to track their shots and gain valuable insights into their game.
For those who prefer a wearable device, fitness trackers are also an effective way to record distances walked during a round of golf. Devices such as the Fitbit Ionic and Garmin's Approach S60 offer golf-specific features such as course mapping, yardages to greens, and post-game analysis. These trackers can also provide insights into other aspects of the game, such as sleep patterns and workout coaching.
Fitness trackers with built-in GPS functionality can also help golfers navigate their way around the course and track the distance and pace logged. For example, the M600 device uses optical sensors to monitor a wearer's heart rate and allows for voice control, ensuring golfers can keep their hands on their clubs at all times.
While mobile apps and fitness trackers can provide valuable insights into distance walked, it is important to note that the actual distance covered during a round of golf can vary depending on factors such as the length of the course and the individual's playing style.
Golf's Unwritten Rules: Understanding 'Gimmies
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Riding in a golf cart instead of walking reduces the amount of exercise you get
Golf is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. The amount of exercise one gets from a round of golf depends on several factors, including the length of the course, the course layout, the distance between the greens and tees, and the golfer's skill level.
On average, golfers walk between 4 and 6 miles during an 18-hole round, burning anywhere from 700 to 2,000+ calories. This can be significantly increased if the golfer is carrying their clubs or if the course is hilly.
Riding in a golf cart instead of walking reduces the amount of exercise one gets. If you ride in a golf cart, the walking distance is reduced to about 1 mile, and you will burn about half the calories compared to walking the entire course. While this still counts as some exercise, it is significantly less than walking, and you would need to incorporate other high-intensity activities into your routine to meet the recommended weekly exercise guidelines.
There are other benefits to walking the course instead of riding in a golf cart. Walking can improve your mental health and sleep quality, and it can also help you burn extra calories if you tend to lose a lot of golf balls and have to go searching for them!
If you want to track your steps and distance while playing golf, you can use a pedometer, a mobile phone app, or a fitness tracker. These tools can help you understand how much exercise you're getting and set goals for increasing your physical activity.
Golf Etiquette: What to Yell and When
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Golfers walk anywhere between 4 to 7.8 miles during an 18-hole round, depending on the course layout, tee-to-green distances, and how straight they hit the ball.
Golfers take about 10,000 to 14,000 steps during an 18-hole round.
Golfers burn anywhere from 700 to 2,000+ calories during an 18-hole round, especially if they are carrying their clubs or playing on hilly terrain.
Golfers can use mobile phone apps, fitness trackers, or pedometers to track their steps and distance during a round of golf.
Walking during a golf game provides golfers with physical and mental health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, and a release of endorphins.











































