Rob Rigg loves to walk while golfing and thought that a blog might be a good idea to share experiences about the courses he enjoys. Well, that turned into a very fine website with interviews and articles, course reviews, and walkability ratings.
Under its website, the WGS lists as its mission:
The Walking Golfers Society is committed to walking when we play because of the physical, social, scoring, and experience benefits, amongst others.
We encourage others to walk when they golf and are committed to spreading awareness of the many benefits of being a walking golfer.
We respect the right of an individual to take a golf cart when they play, whether for physical or personal reasons.
However, we believe that golf carts inhibit a golfer from getting the most out of every round.
If you believe that golf is a walking game, then The Walking Golfers Society invites you to join our membership of passionate individuals who are committed to walking when they play – and having a lot of fun while doing so!
Rigg’s goal is rate every course in the USA and Canada for walkability. No small task! And, of course your assistance is welcome. Courses are rated on a 1-10 scale, with 0-4 points for walkability, 0-4 points for architecture and aesthetics, and 0-2 points for playability and strategy. Visit the website to find out how you can rate courses and further the goal of making it easier to identify walking friendly courses.
Interviews include Tom Doak, Tom Coyne, Doug Carrick, and Jeff Brinegar, the head pro at Old Macdonald, one of the Bandon Dunes courses. Articles range from reports on WGS events to “Why I Walk” by Rigg, and various other essays and articles about walking, courses, and clubs in the walker’s bag.
While golf carts are not condemned outright, the WGC feels use of these motorized conveyances diminish a golfer’s enjoyment of the game and the course. The section on the Benefits of Walking explains the thinking.
Cart paths are little more than a long scar on the landscape that disrupt natural sightlines, create artificial man made obstacles and negatively influence an architect’s ability to freely route the course. A cart path free course is a blank canvas, while the necessity to accommodate cart paths is restrictive to the architect as an artist.
While the SoHG does not discourage the use of motorized carts, we certainly appreciate the benefits that walking can provide. Competitors at many of the SoHG’s events are walkers. For example, 2011 USHO winner Alan Grieve walked the Donald Ross Course at French Lick under very hot conditions. Many others did, too.
When possible, give walking a try. And check out Robb’s website to discover why he and others so heartily encourage this healthy and extremely golf-relevant activity.
“The game is meant for walking.” Shivas Irons from “Golf in the Kingdom.”