The Midlife Crisis That Drove A Cart Experiment
Graham Averill has turned 50 this year and he’s freaking out, according to MyGolfSpy Feedburner. Rather than purchasing a motorcycle or acquiring a tattoo, he aims to master golf. Launching this endeavor as a 13 handicap, his goal is to reach scratch status within one year. He is now an 8.1. Welcome to his midlife crisis. This isn’t just about vanity though. It’s about the physical toll of the game. Averill admits he doesn’t like golf carts. He understands these carts have their place.
Such options broaden access for diverse groups, and removing the burden of carrying beer coolers across 18 holes would ruin buddy golf trips. But he likes to walk when he plays golf. He likes the exercise and he likes the added challenge it presents. He knows that makes him weird but he feels good about himself after he finishes a walking round regardless of his score. Should Averill address deep-seated problems concerning exercise, effort, and work ethic with a therapist? Probably. Is he going to seek help? Probably not.
When Walking Becomes A Herculean Effort
The reality of the terrain changed the equation. Residing in the mountains, Averill faces a Herculean task at his home course: covering seven miles and ascending over 1,000 feet of elevation while hauling a 20- to 30-pound bag. The challenge is severe; by hole 16, he is often dehydrated and tallying remaining swings before reaching the air-conditioned clubhouse bar. Numerous readers recommend switching from walking to riding a cart to preserve energy and maintain freshness throughout 18 holes.
Even his personal coach advised increased riding versus walking to allow for more practice repetitions. Given these logical proposals and his open-minded nature, Averill has recently mixed cart rounds with his usual walking sessions to test if resting his feet improves performance. And the results of this experiment? Riding in a cart definitely reduces fatigue. He confesses that walking leaves him thoroughly exhausted after completing 18 holes. The data from MyGolfSpy shows a clear physical limit when elevation and distance combine.
Does Reduced Fatigue Actually Lower The Score?
The core question remains whether saving energy translates to better numbers on the card. Averill’s experiment suggests that physical exhaustion is a real factor in late-round performance. When a player is out of water and exhausted by hole 16, focus wavers. The body struggles to maintain the swing mechanics needed for precision. By taking a cart, the golfer preserves the physical resources required for the final four holes. This isn’t about laziness. It’s about resource management.
A scratch golfer knows that the last few holes often decide the round. If the legs are heavy, the hands get tight. The swing speed drops. The contact gets thin. Averill’s shift to riding more often was a direct response to the mountain terrain that made walking unsustainable for optimal play. The experiment proves that fatigue management is a valid part of the strategy. It allows the player to stay fresh when it matters most. The physical challenge of walking seven miles with a heavy bag is no joke. It changes how the game feels. It changes how the game is played.
The Verdict On Walking Versus Riding
For the golfer over 50, the choice between walking and riding often comes down to course layout. Flat courses might not demand a cart. Mountain courses do. The data from MyGolfSpy supports the idea that riding helps when the terrain is tough. It’s not a magic bullet for a lower handicap. It’s a tool to keep the body in the game. Averill’s journey from a 13 handicap to an 8.1 shows that progress is possible. But the method matters. If walking kills the energy needed for the final putts, then riding makes sense. The goal is to reach scratch.
