I realized pretty early on in my still-young golf career (and yes, I use “career” loosely there): I play a much better game when I walk the course.

I feel more in the zone. I approach the ball with a plan. I’m more relaxed and comfortable. Weird, I thought as a newbie: One would think being whisked around in a comfy cart would be better. But for me, on my feet and moving forward usually leads to a more comfortable and confident round.

I decided to research this and discovered quickly – as you more experienced golfers out there are shouting at this page right now – it’s not just me. And it’s not just a hunch. There are actual studies that suggest that walking leads to better play.

A study published in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews in late 2023 looked closely at three groups of 10 golfers – those who walk with a push cart, those who walk with a motorized push cart and those who drive a cart – to compare their energy expenditure, mental focus and score. The average age of the golfer was 64; handicap average just over 10. In other words, these were folks who know how to play.

The result? The walkers averaged 10.4 strokes over par; the cart drivers 11.5 strokes over par. That’s right – the walkers had better focus, higher energy and a lower score. Sounds good to me.

Walking obviously burns more calories, but while I do love to check my tracking watch post-play, I don’t really care about that. And for me, a much higher handicap player than a 10, one shot carved off a score is nice but not my focus now.

My focus is focus. I want to be dialed into my game, learning to better judge distance (even with my handy watch app that helps me; it’s good to get to the point you can feel the distance as you look ahead; I think), and relax. I find the stroll part of the game to be just what I need for all those things.

Here’s what walking a round brings me:

Socialization: Sure, when you drive a cart with someone you share a lot with your cart partner, but you tend to lose out on getting to know or catch up on life with others. Walking, you have time to chat with all three of your fellow groupmates. I like that.

Convening with nature: I remember when I started distance bike riding around my town passing by absolutely beautiful spots I’d driven past in a rush eleventy times in my decades in town. On a bike, going slower, I noticed more. The same goes for walking a course. Driving by pretty sites is nice – but it lacks both the savor factor and the “I spy” factor.

On recent golf outings, while walking, I have spied jumping fish in a small pond, beautiful flowers, a tiny winding brook I’d have never seen, a Road Runner (that’s said to be good luck!), and even a sea otter dashing across a Florida fairway. Being out there is a win; having time to really feel that just makes the day better.

Instinct-building: Of course most of us have range finders now, and many golf carts even have super cool “flyover” views of holes like I just had at the Jay Peak Golf Club. But there’s something about getting the feel for the course and for where your ball sits (and needs to go). I like to take a look at my shot and ponder it, guessing distance and angle before I look at my range finder for confirmation. It’s helping me better understand which club to use and what tempo to swing.

Of course, it’s not always possible to walk. Some clubs just don’t allow it – mostly because of wanting to keep the pace up (though I’d argue that you can walk a “walkable” course as quickly or quicker than you can drive it; particularly if your cart mate and you aren’t playing “cart golf” that day – and some clubs depend on the cart payments for income.

But some courses, like Crosswind’s Golf Club in Plymouth where I play in my Ladies League, are just too hilly to walk. That’s fine; it’s still going to be a nice round.

But when I can toss my bag on a cart and walk along? That’s my sweet spot. On a recent play day at Sensei Porcupine Creek in California, the pro gave me an added suggestion: Take off your golf shoes and feel the fairway before you start (and of course, put them back on to play). That might be extreme, but he also may be onto something.

It’s called “Grounding;” letting the earth and your soul connect via bare feet on grass, ground or sand. Sounds a little new-ageish but I’ll tell you this: I played great that day.