If Golf Isn't Exercise, Why am I so Tired After 18 Holes?

   I went to the doctor on Friday because I have been dealing with chronic heart problems. He restricted my physical activity such as working around the house, going to the gym and working out and of course playing golf. My condition has improved dramatically so he lifted the restrictions as long as I watch myself and don't overdue.
    We talked about activities around the house and he said that was OK. I like to go to the gym and workout so we chatted about that which he said was fine but that I should listen to my body and what it was telling me as far as my getting tired. I then asked him specifically about golf. I asked him about getting back to playing golf and his answer kind of caught me by surprise. He obviously doesn't play golf.
     Here's what he said. "Yes David, you can play golf again as long as you take a cart and don't walk the course. Make sure you listen to your body and not get too tired.  Besides, golf isn't exercise anyway."

     SAY WHAT????

     Let's clear something up right now. Golf is a lot of exercise. My doctor obviously hasn't lifted a golf bag out of the trunk of a car before. He hasn't walked and carried that bag over eighteen holes which is about three and a half miles give or take depending on if the course is flat and you hit the ball down the middle of the fairway. Since I payed the green fee, I liked to get the most for my money so I would hit the ball and walk as much of the course as I could, not always intentionally if you get my drift. That white ball has a tendency to go into a lot of strange places and of course I would follow it. Needless to say, that refreshment at the nineteenth hole was very welcomed as I melted into that comfortable chair.
     My days of walking and carrying or even pulling a cart are long gone.  My health is not what it used to be so I have to take a riding cart. It is not as much exercise as you would think riding around in this wonderful speed machine, but wait there is more to the story. You still have to get out and hit the ball where it is.
     At most courses about thirty yards in front of the green you will see a roped off area where you cant take your cart. Should your ball land in there you still have to walk to your ball and hit the shot. There is no getting around this unless you have special permission. You can't drive your cart on the tee and hit your tee shot.  You still have to get out of your cart and walk to the tee.  The same thing goes for the green.  You still have to walk to the green, which can still be a bit of a hike and putt--and putt--and maybe putt again. Then you have to walk back to your cart and on to the next tee.
     Golf is a game of walking and you just can't get away from that.  Walking distances may be less with the use of a cart, but you must still walk unless you can't and special arrangements and aids are used so that you can play the game. Doctor, I hate to tell you this but golf is still a lot of exercise.

Many of us still enjoy the game with the use of a cart. Golf is for everyone.