Calories burned golfing but riding in cart?

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Replies

  • karenolin150
    karenolin150 Posts: 1
    Golf is definitely a way to pick up some beneficial exercise. Whether walking the course, hitting the range or taking a cart, playing golf is a leisurely way to burn some extra calories. This is true even in the case of a nine-hole outing, depending in part on a player's weight, walking vs. taking a cart and metabolism. Here are some stats for a calories burned playing 9-holes:

    Taking a Cart
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 207 calories per hour while taking a cart, compared to 246 for a 155-pound golfer and 302 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which is likely to take around two hours with a cart, golfers burn between 400 and 700 calories per outing.

    Walking vs. Cart
    According to Shapefit, an online health and nutrition advice site, a 190-pound golfer will burn approximately 130 more calories per hour (431 to 302) pulling his clubs on a wheeling device than by taking a cart. Should a player elect to carry his clubs, that jumps to 474 calories per hour. Considering an average nine-hole outing takes between two and three hours, golfers may burn upwards of 300 more calories total by carrying or pulling their clubs.

    Pulling Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 295 calories per hour while pulling her clubs on a wheel-accessible device, compared to 352 for a 155-pound golfer and 431 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while pulling clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 700 and 1,100 calories per outing.
  • drj1485
    drj1485 Posts: 8
    Riding in a cart burns about 800 for 18 holes whereas walking while carrying your bags burns over 1400. This is statistics off a golf site that studied the calories burned and the effects of the cart versus walking versus pull cart on your score.
  • RichardB1102
    RichardB1102 Posts: 1 Member
    To JoRocka, who is annoyed that "you don't just get out and walk" - some courses require use of power cart to keep the game moving. And some people are physically unable to walk the whole four hours.
  • bperkins88
    bperkins88 Posts: 357 Member
    Burning Calories Riding in a golf cart? Is it a pedal golf cart?
  • hopper602
    hopper602 Posts: 204 Member
    I see most of the focus of this debate is the walking around portion and how many calories it actually burns. What about the swinging motion and all the reps performed? I know not every swing is full and to the max but the twisting and turning of your core and upper body should count towards the calorie count. While i do not agree with 1200 calories being burned playing 18 holes in roughly 4 hours but it is a strenuous activity that works the body. I know i often am sore the next day after hacking away at the ball and shooting in my usual high 80s. Especially in the middle of a Phoenix, AZ summer.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I see most of the focus of this debate is the walking around portion and how many calories it actually burns. What about the swinging motion and all the reps performed? I know not every swing is full and to the max but the twisting and turning of your core and upper body should count towards the calorie count. While i do not agree with 1200 calories being burned playing 18 holes in roughly 4 hours but it is a strenuous activity that works the body. I know i often am sore the next day after hacking away at the ball and shooting in my usual high 80s. Especially in the middle of a Phoenix, AZ summer.

    I think people tend to significantly overestimate how much energy they use doing mundane movements. Performing 1 set of a bench press at a weight that represents 90% of 1 RM burns less than 8 calories. A golf swing is only going to be a fraction of that small amount.
  • MissStatement
    MissStatement Posts: 92 Member
    I think I might burn around 800 or so calories over 18 holes.......this is why...
    I jog to and from cart about 1/4 of the time......
    I take at least 4-5 "practice" swings EVRY time Im gonna hit the ball
    I suck...............so I never par ......thus taking way too many swings.
    I try to crush the ball which results in horrible reslts every now and then. :drinker:

    Ahhh, so YOU'RE the guy who backs up the course and makes a 3.5 hour round into an interminable 5! Don't be that guy :)
  • UncleRic0
    UncleRic0 Posts: 1 Member
    Please subtract out your BMR from these higher numbers. If my BMR is 2000 per day, I could lay in bed 6 hours and burn 500 calories dreaming about golf. I would not log that though. So, if your HRM or any other calculation yields 800, I would only log 300 net calories burned. MFP is already calculating the 500 in your daily goal.
  • nyiballs
    nyiballs Posts: 147 Member
    Please subtract out your BMR from these higher numbers. If my BMR is 2000 per day, I could lay in bed 6 hours and burn 500 calories dreaming about golf. I would not log that though. So, if your HRM or any other calculation yields 800, I would only log 300 net calories burned. MFP is already calculating the 500 in your daily goal.

    Bingo... you probably do burn roughly 700 calories per 9 holes, but your BMR in that timeframe for an average person is probably around 400. It's not unreasonable to claim an extra 300 calories per 9 holes golfing with a cart compared to your average day.
  • jennyct10
    jennyct10 Posts: 15 Member
    This info is good to know. It's hard to walk 9 holes when you're recovering from a broken ankle.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I'd estimate SFA cals burnt while riding a cart and swinging a golf club a couple of hundred times.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Does anyone know about how many calories you would burn golfing, but riding in the cart. MFP claims over 1200 calories and I really don't think that could be correct. Maybe I should cut that in half. Any ideas?
    very little with a cart. you burn 70-90 cal per mile walking but u took a cart. i would log 200 for it
  • sadrid1977
    sadrid1977 Posts: 1
    According to Golflink, if you ride while playing golf over a 3 to 5 hour period, you're expected to burn 822 calories. See the link below for more information. Copy and paste link into your address bar.

    http://www.golflink.com/facts_4469_many-calories-does-golf-burn.html
  • mayfrayy
    mayfrayy Posts: 198 Member
    why don't you just get out and walk?

    I don't understand posts like these. Seriously. They make my head hurt.

    You cant walk on all golf courses....
  • altaclip
    altaclip Posts: 6 Member
    Good discussion and I think the many different viewpoints and stats, studies, etc. could be why MFP, Runkeeper, etc. have trouble calculating calorie burn for golfing. There are just too many variables.

    i.e. walking, carrying, pull cart, electric cart, type of terrain, length of walk b/w holes, are carts allowed on fairways (vs. just paths on side), etc.

    I prefer walking but many courses that is not practical or even allowed.
    When I have to ride I'm always the passenger and try and walk most of the hole carrying 2-3 clubs at a time. It makes a big difference and other than the dist b/w holes I figure I walk >70% of the course. I also golf better when walking as you can think about all the variables that go into your next shot vs. just jump out at your ball and hack away lol.

    As for logging the exercise from golf there is lots of good info posted in this thread. My advice is always to NOT eat your extra activity calories and manually log at least 2 miles @ 20 min pace. Much more if you're walking the whole course but remember all those breaks b/w holes don't make it the same benefit as if you walked briskly for 4 hours.

    For anyone that eats extra hot dogs, drinks 2-3 beer, or extra cals on golf days the benefit is minimal (or negative lol).

    Bottom line is if it gets you off the couch and outside it's beneficial just don't over estimate and eat/drink it all away.
    Cheers - Clipper
  • johnpaul76
    johnpaul76 Posts: 1
    Part of an article from Golf Magazine

    An enjoyable game, and for many an opportunity for social outings, golf is also a way to pick up some beneficial exercise. Whether walking the course, hitting the range or taking a cart, playing golf is a leisurely way to burn some extra calories. This is true even in the case of a nine-hole outing, depending in part on a player's weight, walking vs. taking a cart and metabolism.
    Walking vs. Cart
    It comes as little surprise that golfers will burn more calories during a round on the links should they choose to walk nine holes over using a cart. According to Shapefit, an online health and nutrition advice site, a 190-pound golfer will burn approximately 130 more calories per hour (431 to 302) pulling his clubs on a wheeling device than by taking a cart. Should a player elect to carry his clubs, that jumps to 474 calories per hour. Considering an average nine-hole outing takes between two and three hours, golfers may burn upwards of 300 more calories total by carrying or pulling their clubs.
    Taking a Cart
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 207 calories per hour while taking a cart, compared to 246 for a 155-pound golfer and 302 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which is likely to take around two hours with a cart, golfers burn between 400 and 700 calories per outing.
    Pulling Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 295 calories per hour while pulling her clubs on a wheel-accessible device, compared to 352 for a 155-pound golfer and 431 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while pulling clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 700 and 1,100 calories per outing.
    Carrying Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 325 calories per hour while carrying her clubs, compared to 387 for a 155-pound golfer and 474 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while carrying clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 800 and 1,200 calories per outing.
    Driving Range
    Before hitting the links, some golfers will first take to the driving range. Fortunately, this serves as another way to burn calories. According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 177 calories per hour on the range, compared to 211 for a 155-pound golfer and 259 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Part of an article from Golf Magazine

    An enjoyable game, and for many an opportunity for social outings, golf is also a way to pick up some beneficial exercise. Whether walking the course, hitting the range or taking a cart, playing golf is a leisurely way to burn some extra calories. This is true even in the case of a nine-hole outing, depending in part on a player's weight, walking vs. taking a cart and metabolism.
    Walking vs. Cart
    It comes as little surprise that golfers will burn more calories during a round on the links should they choose to walk nine holes over using a cart. According to Shapefit, an online health and nutrition advice site, a 190-pound golfer will burn approximately 130 more calories per hour (431 to 302) pulling his clubs on a wheeling device than by taking a cart. Should a player elect to carry his clubs, that jumps to 474 calories per hour. Considering an average nine-hole outing takes between two and three hours, golfers may burn upwards of 300 more calories total by carrying or pulling their clubs.
    Taking a Cart
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 207 calories per hour while taking a cart, compared to 246 for a 155-pound golfer and 302 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which is likely to take around two hours with a cart, golfers burn between 400 and 700 calories per outing.
    Pulling Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 295 calories per hour while pulling her clubs on a wheel-accessible device, compared to 352 for a 155-pound golfer and 431 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while pulling clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 700 and 1,100 calories per outing.
    Carrying Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 325 calories per hour while carrying her clubs, compared to 387 for a 155-pound golfer and 474 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while carrying clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 800 and 1,200 calories per outing.
    Driving Range
    Before hitting the links, some golfers will first take to the driving range. Fortunately, this serves as another way to burn calories. According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 177 calories per hour on the range, compared to 211 for a 155-pound golfer and 259 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer.

    There are several issues with this type of article.

    1. The data is weak. There has not been that much research on golf and that which has been done involves either tiny sample sizes or more simulated golf activity. Often, compendiums of physical activity (often used as a source) vary widely in the quality of the source information. The information is not vetted in detail, so it can range from very accurate (walking, running) to not reliable at all (household activities). The Shapefit article does not provide any citations for its information, so there is no way to judge its veracity.

    2. It is difficult to collect large volumes of data under "real life" conditions. And if you hook people up with gear to collect and analyze expired gases, you have introduced "observer bias" or observer interaction into the experiment. You are going to affect the way that people play and, again, interfere with the accuracy of the data.

    3. Often, estimates of energy expenditure for activity assume that the activity is being done on a continuous basis. Otherwise, there is no way to get a consistent response. Again this will tend to lead to an overestimate of energy expenditure. And if you are taking 2 to 2.5 hours to play 9 nine holes, at least 50% of that time is spent sitting around doing almost nothing--waiting for some dope to line up and mark a 3rd putt or watching a bunch of old guys with $1000 clubs spend 10 minutes looking for a $4 golf ball.

    4. In situations where low-level energy is being expended over a long period of time, resting energy, or BMR, has to be taken into consideration. Some who burns 500 calories in 45 minutes doesn't have to be too concerned about the 60 or so calories you body burns at rest. When the expenditure is only 150-200 calories per hour, then the 80-120 cal/hour of BMR is a more significant factor. Those 9-hole totals, even if they were accurate, would need to be reduced by 200-250 calories just to account for BMR.

    5. In addition to BMR, estimates of TDEE also include an "allowance" of calories for casual daily activity--some 25% - 50% of BMR, depending on activity level. So some of that is already accounted for in the golf "estimate".

    6. Then there is what happens the rest of the day. If golf is as big a calorie-burner as these articles say, then the average golfer is going to be fatigued enough from playing that it is quite likely that the golfer will reduce their activity the rest of the day. Once more, this will offset the effect of the energy expended playing golf.

    The fact is that, in the grand scheme of things, while golf involves physical exertion that can lead to muscle fatigue and, being an outdoor summer activity, can result in sweating, neither of these are reliable indicators of calories burned.

    Golf absolutely provides general health and some fitness benefits compared to sitting on a couch, but it pales in comparison to most other types of exercise. Visit any golf course anywhere in America and it will become readily apparent that golf is not a very good weight-loss strategy. The time when I played the most golf (1-2x per week) was also the time when I was at my heaviest. And I usually play 18 hours and I also did not have money to use a cart. On a clear course, I can walk and play 18 holes and finish in under 2.5 hours. And I never lost an ounce of weight during that time, nor did it do anything for my fitness. (If I play now, I'll do a full workout before heading to the course, because I know it's not a substitute).

    I am going into this much detail because I think these types of articles are extremely misleading--like the charts that say you burn 1000 calories washing a car. Anyone who thinks they are going to burn 1000 calories playing 9 holes is in for an unpleasant surprise.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Part of an article from Golf Magazine

    An enjoyable game, and for many an opportunity for social outings, golf is also a way to pick up some beneficial exercise. Whether walking the course, hitting the range or taking a cart, playing golf is a leisurely way to burn some extra calories. This is true even in the case of a nine-hole outing, depending in part on a player's weight, walking vs. taking a cart and metabolism.
    Walking vs. Cart
    It comes as little surprise that golfers will burn more calories during a round on the links should they choose to walk nine holes over using a cart. According to Shapefit, an online health and nutrition advice site, a 190-pound golfer will burn approximately 130 more calories per hour (431 to 302) pulling his clubs on a wheeling device than by taking a cart. Should a player elect to carry his clubs, that jumps to 474 calories per hour. Considering an average nine-hole outing takes between two and three hours, golfers may burn upwards of 300 more calories total by carrying or pulling their clubs.
    Taking a Cart
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 207 calories per hour while taking a cart, compared to 246 for a 155-pound golfer and 302 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which is likely to take around two hours with a cart, golfers burn between 400 and 700 calories per outing.
    Pulling Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 295 calories per hour while pulling her clubs on a wheel-accessible device, compared to 352 for a 155-pound golfer and 431 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while pulling clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 700 and 1,100 calories per outing.
    Carrying Clubs
    According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 325 calories per hour while carrying her clubs, compared to 387 for a 155-pound golfer and 474 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer. That means that over a nine-hole round, which while carrying clubs is likely to take around 2 1/2 hours, golfers burn between 800 and 1,200 calories per outing.
    Driving Range
    Before hitting the links, some golfers will first take to the driving range. Fortunately, this serves as another way to burn calories. According to Shapefit, a 130-pound golfer will burn approximately 177 calories per hour on the range, compared to 211 for a 155-pound golfer and 259 calories per hour for a 190-pound golfer.

    There are several issues with this type of article.

    1. The data is weak. There has not been that much research on golf and that which has been done involves either tiny sample sizes or more simulated golf activity. Often, compendiums of physical activity (often used as a source) vary widely in the quality of the source information. The information is not vetted in detail, so it can range from very accurate (walking, running) to not reliable at all (household activities). The Shapefit article does not provide any citations for its information, so there is no way to judge its veracity.

    2. It is difficult to collect large volumes of data under "real life" conditions. And if you hook people up with gear to collect and analyze expired gases, you have introduced "observer bias" or observer interaction into the experiment. You are going to affect the way that people play and, again, interfere with the accuracy of the data.

    3. Often, estimates of energy expenditure for activity assume that the activity is being done on a continuous basis. Otherwise, there is no way to get a consistent response. Again this will tend to lead to an overestimate of energy expenditure. And if you are taking 2 to 2.5 hours to play 9 nine holes, at least 50% of that time is spent sitting around doing almost nothing--waiting for some dope to line up and mark a 3rd putt or watching a bunch of old guys with $1000 clubs spend 10 minutes looking for a $4 golf ball.

    4. In situations where low-level energy is being expended over a long period of time, resting energy, or BMR, has to be taken into consideration. Some who burns 500 calories in 45 minutes doesn't have to be too concerned about the 60 or so calories you body burns at rest. When the expenditure is only 150-200 calories per hour, then the 80-120 cal/hour of BMR is a more significant factor. Those 9-hole totals, even if they were accurate, would need to be reduced by 200-250 calories just to account for BMR.

    5. In addition to BMR, estimates of TDEE also include an "allowance" of calories for casual daily activity--some 25% - 50% of BMR, depending on activity level. So some of that is already accounted for in the golf "estimate".

    6. Then there is what happens the rest of the day. If golf is as big a calorie-burner as these articles say, then the average golfer is going to be fatigued enough from playing that it is quite likely that the golfer will reduce their activity the rest of the day. Once more, this will offset the effect of the energy expended playing golf.

    The fact is that, in the grand scheme of things, while golf involves physical exertion that can lead to muscle fatigue and, being an outdoor summer activity, can result in sweating, neither of these are reliable indicators of calories burned.

    Golf absolutely provides general health and some fitness benefits compared to sitting on a couch, but it pales in comparison to most other types of exercise. Visit any golf course anywhere in America and it will become readily apparent that golf is not a very good weight-loss strategy. The time when I played the most golf (1-2x per week) was also the time when I was at my heaviest. And I usually play 18 hours and I also did not have money to use a cart. On a clear course, I can walk and play 18 holes and finish in under 2.5 hours. And I never lost an ounce of weight during that time, nor did it do anything for my fitness. (If I play now, I'll do a full workout before heading to the course, because I know it's not a substitute).

    I am going into this much detail because I think these types of articles are extremely misleading--like the charts that say you burn 1000 calories washing a car. Anyone who thinks they are going to burn 1000 calories playing 9 holes is in for an unpleasant surprise.

    ^lies. all lies. golfing burns 3,100 calories per hour and he knows it. but he's part of the Treadmill Conspiracy and doesn't the world to know that standing around, occasionally walking and occasionally swinging a club is the world's most effective fitness activity.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    After 2 years you guys haven't decided on how many calories golfing and riding in a cart burn?
  • DR2501
    DR2501 Posts: 661 Member
    I'm going to say none. Golf isn't very taxing to begin with and rding in a cart negates any exercise benefit for me.

    I personally wouldn't log it, just enjoy it.
  • bmailb
    bmailb Posts: 1 Member
    If you are a golfer you realize that even driving a cart you walk a lot...the higher the handicap the more exercise you get....walk around for 2 minutes looking for your ball in the rough, or in the bush you think it went in. You can't drive right up to the green or tee box. Bunkers and hills on the course often have you walking up and down inclines, and then of course you do swing the club many people over 100 times....the average golfer somewhere in the 90s so lets say 95 reps well most people take a practice swing or 2 or 3 or 4. 1 or 2 would be preferable....ahem, but reality is that even driving a cart for 18 you can tell you have been using your body quite a bit.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    HRM numbers are not accurate because golf is not steady state cardio. Surprised no one has pointed this out (or I missed it). How many calories do you burn riding in a car??
  • mindbattle
    mindbattle Posts: 56 Member
    Riding in a golf cart you walk 78 steps per minute verses 122 steps per minute walking. This is according to the "Activities to steps conversion chart" by healthy Utah.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    mindbattle wrote: »
    Riding in a golf cart you walk 78 steps per minute verses 122 steps per minute walking. This is according to the "Activities to steps conversion chart" by healthy Utah.

    you resurrected a very old, very dead thread lol

    in any case, I do not play golf, I cant think of many things much more boring, but I do know many people seem to enjoy it for some reason, so okay. Riding in a cart I dont think I would count it as exercise at all, personally. no more than I count walking around the grocery store as exercise. Now, if you were walking the course (whether 9 or 18 holes) yes, id count it. But in a cart, to your tee? (is that where you stand? i guess) back to the cart? no.

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