There are two kinds of amateur golfers…..the “Walker” and the “Rider”.   

Walkers usually fall under the following categories:

a.       They are walking because they need the exercise

b.      They are walking because they can’t afford the cart fees

c.       Both a & b

Riders on the other hand fall under multiple categories:

a.       They are lazy

b.      They have always ridden and see no reason to change

c.       They believe the round goes faster when they ride

d.      They need a place to hold their beers

e.      They aren’t physically able to walk

f.        They have a non-golfing passenger who doesn’t like to walk and is just along for the company

g.       They think it’s more fun to drive

Neither camp necessarily likes the other.  I know as I’ve been, and still am, a part of both camps.  I never walked really until this year, and it’s because of category A, I need the exercise.  I still won’t walk if it’s above 90 degrees or so. 

As a Rider, the thing you dreaded most was pulling up to the first tee behind a group of Walkers.  My first thought, and those of my golf mates, was always “oh no…walkers”.  So why did we always think this?  Because every Rider “knows” that Walkers are slow.  It only makes sense because you can’t walk as fast as you can ride right?  It takes forever for them to clear out ahead of you, and if they happen to have hit one into a hazard, forget it; Walkers always take forever to find their balls.  

Walkers on the other hand tend to be more tolerant of the Rider.  Mostly it’s because a majority of Walkers used to be Riders…at least until they got fat and lazy, or had to deal with some sort of financial crisis.  That is of course unless they are behind the “Drunk Riders” or the “Social Riders”.  Social Riders like to hang out and watch each other hit the ball instead of going to their own ball.  Drunk Riders like to think they are in some sort of bumper car, or worse yet, that they are professional drift car drivers…usually in the fairway.  You want neither in front of you.   Subsequently, Walkers think Riders are slow too.

In reality, on any given public course, a competent Walker can finish a round as quickly as a competent Rider.  Riders that aren’t completely clueless drop their passengers off at their ball, then move to their own.  They meet up again after each has hit and move on.  Walkers go straight to their own balls and have time to consider what their shot will be as they approach it.  I’ve finished a round in 3 ½ hours both walking and riding.  It’s all about common sense.   

Next time you’re golfing, whether as a Rider or a Walker, think about the group behind you and the group in front of you.  If the group in front of you is more than a hole ahead of you, your group is playing too slow, you’re too drunk, or you’re just spending too much time watching each other hit.  Think about the group behind you while spending 15 minutes looking for that lost ball, or spending enough time conversing in the cart in the middle of the fairway that you might as well break out a pack of cards and play a quick hand of cribbage.  Instead of ignoring them, waive them through if you’re behind, or start playing golf instead…that’s why you’re out there.  Use the 19^th hole to catch up on all the gossip you’ve missed in the last week.  Everyone else will be happier for it.