Calculating Calories Burned While Golfing
Golfing is a popular sport that provides light to moderate exercise while enjoying time outside on the course. But just how many calories can you expect to burn golf while playing? Use a calories burned golfing calculator to estimate your total energy expenditure.
Walking vs Riding a Golf Cart
The number of calories burned golfing depends significantly on whether you walk the course or take a cart:
- Walking 18 holes burns around 1,500 calories for a 160 lb person
- Using a cart for 18 holes only burns about 750 calories
Clearly, hoofing it around the golf course on foot rather than riding in a cart will help maximize fat burning and improve cardiovascular fitness.
Factors That Influence Golf Calorie Expenditure
These variables can alter the calories burned golfing calculator estimate for the number of calories your body uses during a round of golf:
- Your weight - Heavier golfers burn more calories
- Bag carrying - Lugging your golf bag burns extra calories
- Terrain - Hilly courses mean climbing more elevation
- Number of swings - Taking more strokes burns additional energy
- Age and fitness level - Younger, fitter golfers expend more energy
Golf Calorie Calculator by Activity
Use this guide to get estimates on caloric expenditure for common golfing activities:
Driving a Golf Cart
Driving a motorized golf cart up and down gentle hills on a course will burn about:
- 100 calories per hour
So for an typical 4.5 hour round riding in a cart instead of carrying your clubs or walking, you will probably burn around 450 calories total.
Carrying Golf Clubs
Hoofing it around 18 holes of golf while carrying your own golf bag and clubs will burn approximately:
- 275 calories per hour
That equals out to about 1,240 calories burned carrying your golf bag for a 4.5 hour 18-hole round.
Walking Golf Course
Walking the entire golf course instead of using a cart at a brisk pace will burn roughly:
- 340 calories per hour
For a typical 18-hole round taking over 4 hours, that calculates to around 1,530 calories burned walking the whole time.
Calculator for Calories Burned Golfing by Situation
Use this handy calories burned golfing calculator chart to estimate your energy expenditure based on your unique situation:
| Your Weight | Calories Burned - Walking 18 Holes | Calories Burned - Using Cart |
|---|---|---|
| 120 lbs | 1,224 | 612 |
| 140 lbs | 1,436 | 718 |
| 160 lbs | 1,632 | 816 |
| 180 lbs | 1,836 | 918 |
| 200 lbs | 2,040 | 1,020 |
| 220 lbs | 2,244 | 1,122 |
To use: Find your approximate body weight on the left. The middle column shows calories burned walking 18 holes of golf. The right column shows estimated calories burned riding a cart instead.
Adding Yardage for Extra Golf Shots
If you take a high number of strokes due to sand traps, water hazards, rough lies, or just plain poor golf swings, add additional yardage to the 5-6 mile estimate for an 18-hole course:
- Add 50 yards per extra stroke when walking
- Add 30 yards per extra stroke if using a golf cart
Then utilize the calories burned golfing calculator above based on your weight and how much extra distance you cover.
Using Other Recreational Devices
For other motorized transportation on the golf course, estimate burn rates around:
- Golf scooter: 125 calories per hour
- Push/pull cart: 190 calories per hour
Additional Health Benefits From Golfing
Beyond burning extra calories for weight loss or maintenance, golf also provides other wellness perks including:
Muscle Toning
Swinging clubs engages your core abdominal and lower back muscles. Hitting drives repetitively provides a muscular endurance activity for your upper body.
Mental Stimulation
Golf challenges your mind as you analyze shots, yardages, terrain, and accounting for conditions. This engages your problem-solving, focus, strategizing, and decision making skills.
Stress Relief
The peaceful, outdoor nature of golfing helps release tension and anxiety. Being away from the normal chaos of life gives your mind a rest.
Social Connection
Playing and interacting with others in your foursome builds relationships and emotional bonds through the shared golf experience.
So use a calories burned golfing calculator to gauge your energy output, then maximize it by walking with your clubs whenever you hit the links!FAQs
Does walking or riding a golf cart burn more calories?
Walking 18 holes of golf burns significantly more calories - about 1,500 calories for a 160 pound person. Using a golf cart for 18 holes only burns around 750 calories.
How many calories does carrying a golf bag burn?
Carrying your golf bag and clubs over the course of an 18-hole round will result in burning around 1,240 calories for a 160 pound person.
What factors impact the estimate for calories burned golfing?
The main factors influencing calories burned while golfing includes your body weight, number of swings/strokes taken, the terrain and elevation changes, carrying or using a cart, and overall fitness level.
Does golfing provide any additional health benefits?
Yes, beyond burning additional calories, golf also provides benefits like improved muscle endurance, mental stimulation, stress relief, and social interaction when playing with others.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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