Fitness is a very important component of successful golf. Having the ability to walk 18 holes with enough gas left in the tank to perform is something every golfer should be capable of accomplishing. Of course there are always exceptions and it is not my intent to shine a negative light on other golfers; I am only talking about my golf game. If given a choice, I will walk most golf courses. There are some I have played that walking is not wise due to its design, however 95% of golf courses are walkable and I enjoy taking the stroll. Other than the physical benefits of walking a golf course, the mental benefits are often overlooked. I play better golf when I walk and here is why!

I gain three benefits from walk that generally lower my golf score. (there are many more, but I chose to focus on these today) They may not be profound to your game, but they sure are to me. As we all know, the mental side of golf is a challenge to most players and being able to strengthen that aspect of our game is always an advantage. In no particular order, the following is how I feel walking the golf course helps my game:

• I feel more relaxed. As I walk the course, I have an opportunity to absorb the beauty of nature. I am able to better feel the joys of heightened senses. Each course offers its own beauty and walking allows me to experience what it has on display. I have a greater sense of gratitude and serenity. My mental state is tranquil. This state of inner peace allows me to focus on my golf game by pushing out the negative swing thoughts. Fundamentally, golf is a better game when I walk.
• Walking allows me to feel the golf course. When walking any golf course, walking enhances my feeling of course conditions. I can better assess the firmness of the fairways, the wind direction, the slope of the terrain, and the lushness of the fairways/rough. Walking through all areas of the course helps me feel the conditions which in turn allows me to convert that knowledge into better shot selection. Feeling the golf course lowers my golf scores.
• My course management is stronger. The time it takes to walk from shot to shot allows my mind to mull over the possibilities of the next shot. It proves the time required to work through what I wan to happen moving forward. Many times this process starts about 20 yards from my ball and that 5 second walk is all that I need to see the potential for what is next. My course management processes have the time to work through any potential challenges, accounts for all the stressors of any golf shot, and facilitates a conclusion that strengthens my golf game. Walking improves my overall mental game.

As you can see, walking is an important aspect of my golf game. I prefer to walk if at all possible. Walking relaxes my mind, improves my course management and allows me to feel the golf course. These three mental components of my golf game do help lower my golf score. Over many years, these benefits of walking are proven to help my game and I intend to continue to walk if at all possible.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!