July 2026President's Corner Dr. Steven Lorick

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Walking the Course: Why Every Step MattersThe Science of Walking, Golf and Lifelong HealthBy Dr. Steven Lorick, President, Golf Fitness Association of AmericaEvery golfer begins a round with a decision. Walk or ride in a golf cart?For many, the answer is based on convenience, pace of play, weather, course conditions or physical limitations. While each of those factors deserves consideration, there is another perspective that is often overlooked. That simple decision may be one of the most important health decisions a golfer makes all day.Walking has become one of the most extensively studied forms of physical activity in medicine. Decades of evidence have consistently demonstrated its role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, improving metabolic health, preserving mobility, enhancing cognitive function and supporting longevity. The World Health Organization identifies regular physical activity as one of the most effective strategies for preventing chronic disease and improving quality of life (Bull et al., 2020).The challenge has never been to prove that walking is beneficial. Importantly, the challenge has been helping people continue doing it over a longer period of time. This is the area of golf that deserves greater recognition and promotion.Golf's Greatest ContributionAs golf fitness professionals, we often focus on swing mechanics, mobility, strength, power and injury prevention. These remain essential components of performance and are central to the mission of the Golf Fitness Association of America. Yet one of golf's greatest contributions occurs before the first swing is ever made. Golf transforms one of medicine's most effective lifestyle interventions into an activity that millions of people willingly pursue throughout their lives.That distinction matters.Exercise is only effective when people continue to do it. Too often, structured exercise programs begin with enthusiasm but fade with time. Busy schedules, declining motivation, repetitive routines and limited enjoyment become barriers to long-term participation. Golf offers a different model. The motivation is not to exercise. The motivation is to play. Physical activity becomes part of the experience rather than a separate task to complete.From a behavioral perspective, this may be golf's greatest strength.Researchers have consistently shown that enjoyment is one of the strongest predictors of long-term adherence to physical activity. The Golf & Health Project and the International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health emphasize that golf naturally combines movement, challenge, social interaction and time outdoors in a way that encourages participation across the lifespan, rather than for only weeks or months (Murray et al., 2018).The Science Behind Walking the CourseThis is not simply philosophy. It is supported by science.Parkkari and colleagues demonstrated that individuals who regularly walked while playing golf improved aerobic fitness, trunk muscle endurance, HDL cholesterol and body composition during a controlled intervention. Equally important, participant adherence remained exceptionally high. Their findings reinforce a principle often overlooked in exercise science: the most effective exercise program is the one people are willing to sustain (Parkkari et al., 2000).Sell and colleagues expanded our understanding by examining the physiological demands of walking 18 holes during a round of golf. Their work demonstrated that golfers who walk routinely achieve moderate-intensity physical activity consistent with established exercise recommendations, while accumulating substantial energy expenditure over the duration of play (Sell et al., 2008). Unlike a traditional workout lasting thirty to sixty minutes, golf distributes movement across four or more hours, creating repeated opportunities for cardiovascular stimulation, muscular activity and recovery.Equally important is the type of walking that golf demands. Walking a golf course is fundamentally different from walking on a treadmill or around a neighborhood. Golfers negotiate hills, uneven terrain, changing lies and varying environmental conditions. They repeatedly bend, rotate, carry or push equipment, climb slopes, descend hills and transition between periods of movement and recovery. These demands challenge balance, coordination, lower extremity strength, postural control and functional mobility in ways that closely resemble the physical demands of everyday life.The 2025 international consensus on promoting healthy aging through golf concluded that these combined physical demands, together with the cognitive and social aspects of the game, position golf as a valuable activity for preserving functional capacity and supporting healthy aging throughout adulthood (Stenner et al., 2025).More Than a WalkGolf also challenges another system that is often overlooked — the brain.Every shot requires golfers to process environmental information, evaluate risk, select a club, regulate emotion, execute a motor skill and prepare for the next decision. Walking between shots provides time for reflection, strategic planning and emotional recovery. The International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health concluded that golf contributes not only to physical activity but also to mental wellbeing, social connection and quality of life, making it one of the few recreational activities that simultaneously challenges the body and the mind (Murray et al., 2018).More recent investigations continue to strengthen this evidence. O'Donnell and colleagues reported that golfers who walked during competitive play accumulated substantially greater step counts and energy expenditure than golfers using motorized carts, while maintaining comparable golf performance. Their findings suggest that choosing to walk significantly increases the physiological value of a round without changing the game itself (O'Donnell et al., 2025).From a public health perspective, that is significant. We often ask people to find additional time to exercise. Golf presents something different. It encourages people to maximize the health benefits of an activity they already enjoy.Evidence supporting lifelong participation continues to grow. Ala Vahala and colleagues reported that Finnish golfers consistently exceeded national physical activity recommendations across virtually every age group, illustrating how golf encourages sustained participation well beyond the retirement years. This level of long-term adherence remains one of the greatest challenges in preventive medicine and one of golf's greatest strengths (Ala Vahala et al., 2025).A Leadership OpportunityThis is where golf professionals have an opportunity to lead.Encouraging golfers to walk whenever it is appropriate is not about preserving tradition. It is about recognizing an evidence-based strategy that supports performance, physical function and lifelong health. Not every golfer can or should walk every round. Medical conditions, disabilities, course design, climate and pace of play must always be respected. However, when walking is feasible, it should be viewed as an integral part of the golf experience, rather than simply an alternative to riding.As leaders in golf fitness, our responsibility extends beyond helping golfers swing more efficiently. We have an opportunity to help them move more throughout the entire round, remain active throughout the year and continue enjoying the game for decades to come.Final ThoughtsThe next time you stand on the first tee, consider the decision before you play. Walk or ride?One choice changes how you travel around the course. The other may influence how you move through life. That is why every step matters.Dr. Steven Lorick is President of the Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) and Principal of HyBridZone. A golf exercise physiologist recognized by the PGA of America, Titleist Performance Institute and NASM as a global expert in golf fitness, he holds a doctorate from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Georgetown University. A military veteran, he received the U.S. Congressional Award of Special Recognition for his service as a member of the Presidential Escort.

References:

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Luscombe, J., Murray, A. D., Jenkins, E., & Archibald, D. (2017). A rapid review to identify physical activity accrued while playing golf and factors that may modify physical activity. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 3(1).

Murray, A. D., Daines, L., Archibald, D., Hawkes, R. A., Schiphorst, C., Kelly, P., Grant, L., Mutrie, N., & Scott, H. (2017). The relationships between golf and health: A scoping review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(1), 12-19.

Murray, A. D., Archibald, D., Murray, I. R., et al. (2018). 2018 International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health to guide action by people, policymakers and the golf industry. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(22), 1426-1428.

O'Donnell, A., Close, G. L., Murray, A. D., et al. (2025). Riding a golf cart versus walking: A study on the physiological, physical and cognitive effects during competitive golf. European Journal of Sport Science.

Parkkari, J., Natri, A., Kannus, P., Mänttäri, A., Laukkanen, R., Haapasalo, H., Nenonen, A., Pasanen, M., Oja, P., & Vuori, I. (2000). A controlled trial of the health benefits of regular walking on a golf course. The American Journal of Medicine, 109(2), 102-108.

Sell, T. C., Kimura, I. F., Udermann, B. E., & colleagues. (2008). Physical Activity Related Benefits of Walking During Golf. University of Pittsburgh Neuromuscular Research Laboratory.

Stenner, B. J., Pond, J. R., Murray, A. D., et al. (2025). Promoting Healthy Aging Through Golf. European Journal of Sport Science.

The Golf & Health Project. (2025). Golf and Health Resource Centre. https://www.golfandhealth.org

International Golf Federation. (2025). Health Benefits of Golf. https://www.igfgolf.org/medical/health-benefits

World Health Organization. (2020). WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

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