How Many Calories Does Golf Burn?

By Teresa Justine Kelly

Golf is a great way to burn calories. Although not a fast-action sport, it is an endurance activity because every 18-hole round requires anywhere from three to five hours of walking and swinging the club.

How Long You Will Walk

How long you walk during your round of golf is affected by whether you choose to walk the course or use a golf cart as well as the length of the golf course. If you use a pedometer, you will find that you will walk approximately five miles during an average 18-hole round of golf. If you ride in a cart, you walk one mile.

Carrying Clubs Burns 1,442 Calories

If you carry your clubs on your back or slung over a shoulder, that added weight or resistance will give you round an extra calorie-burning boost. An average-sized man walking and carrying his clubs for 18 holes will burn 1,442 calories total.

Walking with Cart Burns 1,436 Calories

If you don't carry your clubs, but pull them along behind you, you will also see some benefits in the number of calories you burn. Using a push or pull cart, the average-sized man will burn 1,436 calories.

Caddie or Cart Burns 822-1,226 Calories

Employing a caddie or using a golf cart will cause your caloric totals to take a dip. If you hire a caddie, you can expect to burn about 1,226 calories over the course of 18 holes, while riding in a golf cart, you will burn 822 calories.

Warning

If you are not in shape, walking while carrying your clubs can result in early fatigue, decreasing your fine motor skills and increasing your golf score.

About The Author

Teresa Kelly graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. She was an editor for seven years for several magazines and publishing houses. Kelly is an avid golfer, a well-known children's book and golf author, and is currently the president of Highview Press/Golfing Lady that produces all occasion golf greeting cards.