Could not agree more.

Every course should allow walkers to walk for free!

Shame on Avondale!!!

Whenever possible I carry my bag...It's always a better round no matter the score!!!

DR. K

I'm afraid I'd have to find another course to play.  Courses are hard up for customers and placing restrictions on players just isn't good business.......

A fee to walk?  That's just not right.  It should be part of the green's fee. Too bad about the push/pull cart, That is a small but notable contribution to pace of play to take the bag down, stand it, pick it back up.  I'd like to support a caddy program, but I haven't seen a caddy program that didn't start with a $50+ fee to the course before you even pay the caddy.  I can't do that at the courses I play every week.

Too many courses were designed around course-side communities, so excessive layouts make it difficult to walk and maintain pace of play.  Looks like that concept/scourge may be drawing to a close - but we'll have a ton of existing courses to live with past my lifetime.  I primarily play 3 courses that allow push carts, and to some extent, encourage walking.  ...My biggest issue at 63 is I often play with 3 co-workers average age 27, and they never walk.

It's quite ridiculous and sad isn't it.   I am an avid walker, and honestly I believe I play better when I walk as opposed to ride.  Courses should encourage walking and promote the health/exercise benefits of walking.  Good for you for continuing to walk and stay active at the young age of 67.  Nothing quite like chasing the ol titleist around for 4hours and 6miles to make you feel good about yourself.   

-Mitchell Cook

Walking should be encouraged. That being said, courses are there to make a profit. Personally, more people will ride than walk so it shouldn't be forced unless you can't keep up. Pebble Beach doesn't care if you walk or ride (the fees are the same -too high, in my book) so long as you maintain your pace.

Torrey Pines encourages walking by charging $30 a person for a cart..... No thanks, I'll be over here stretching my hammy's!

LOL - if you play there in December when they have path only to prepare for the Farmer's, you end up walking more with a cart.  My wife insisted, and I was worn out by 15 from all the lateral runs.  Unless you are permitted to use the fairway, they should advise you to walk.

It is a sad thing.  The three to four  places I play they all allow walking expect one because the course is stretched out over such a long distance.  Pace of play to me seems like it slows down when driving because you can just take a I don't care swing at the ball and at least with walking it makes you want to keep the ball in play

Many of those that worked all week sat for most of it - me included. I enjoy walking and much prefer a course that is walker friendly meaning not charging the same rate as playing with a cart or doesn't have tee boxes that are 200 yards from the last green. I need the exercise and think its a fundametal part of the game. Its the same rational I use for parking at the end of the parking lot at the ol' Wal-Mart. My truck doesn't get banged up and its better for me.

Other than my kids, which see exercise as an important daily function, I have few playing partners that are willing to hoof 18 after work.

If you are ever in the Lexington, KY area Kearney Hill is a great walking course. It was designed by Pete Dye and the Senior Tour used to hit it back in the day.

I walk the course on all except Riverwalk because they charge you for a cart anyhow.  I walked it one time early and it took about 1:35.   Was 1:20 with a golf cart.  

I still wonder why someone needs a golf cart on an executive course of less than 2500 yards for 9 holes.  Even worse yet some 30 year old. 

If it is crowded, there is no time saved using a cart.

Using a cart defeats the whole purpose - to get exercise.  I'm almost 57 and I was doing it the old fashioned way for about a year (until I started carrying 14 clubs) - walking and carrying the bag (it also saves space in your trunk by not packing a pull cart).

I'm 66 and prefer to walk.  I have a lightweight bag and prefer that over a pull cart.  Some of these courses and clubs are getting carried away with fees, requirements, and so on.  In my area club memberships are dropping so they are raising annual rates to make up for the lost members, one had to go public to survive.  I'd like to see courses start allowing caddy's again.

That's nuts to charge a walking fee.  Often times I'll walk a course even if the car is included in the price tag.  

I'd rather walk.  I play better, feel better, and I also think you get to see more of the course.  If ti's path only, taking a cart is pretty much pointless.  Plus you feel less guilt on the 19th hole 

I prefer to walk for all the reasons Josh G mentioned, in fact I have noticed I hit better scores that way. However, keeling over on the course during a round wouldn't be a bad way to go. Especially with my Titleist clubs in tow!

Lol, Always better to punch out doing something you love I guess.

I would much rather walk. I have a clic gear cart and it makes walking a breeze. I also find I play much better and also enjoy the conversation more with my group when walking. I am 43 with 3 kids under 10 so this also is a great way to get some exercise doing something I love as I don't have as much free time! 

All I can say is WOW! I would definitely be finding a new course to play and I would be giving those courses a piece of my mind! What little I have left anyway ;)

 Chris S

Ahhh, that's some bull. I always walk, unless playing in a tournament ((for fun tournaments, like fundraisers, etc.)) I have a push cart, because I have the Titleist Cart bag. It's the best exercise out there, in my opinion! It's sad courses are taking that away. Good thing I don't live near any of them! 

I've played courses when you are forced to use a cart, usually at high peak times like weekends and holidays.  I try to avoid those courses due to the high volumne of players (I can't deal with 6 hour rounds).  IMHO, I think we should all walk more...it is a good excuse to buy some new FJ golf shoes...they pay for themselves in a few rounds.  At least when you have a bad round you can at least be happy that you got some exercise in the process.

What's even worse is people pay to use the carts, but they wouldn't even pay to walk!!!!! Shame on USA golfers lol sorry usa golfers no offense...