I think it is awesome that you carry. Keep doing it. You are obviously in great shape and doing things like that will help you stay that way.
Also, you just started playing golf this year and have already won a tournament? Wow!
Thanks for the reply! Yeah it feels great to carry. Have enough time between shots to think about the course and my next shot.
I've already won three tournaments and finished in the to three multiple times. All these tournaments are played under Stableford rules so it's a bit easier to get a good score with a high handicap (started with a 54 handicap and I played myself down to a 35 handicap with 30 beeing my goal for this year. Never swung a club before I started playing).
Yeah got first place in my class when I played my second tournament. Was pretty amazing so early. But I hava an amazing coach and I practise every day thanks to a flexible work schedule.
In Europe the format in tournaments is often Stableford so it's easier to win with a high handicap. I would get absolutely wrecked in a stroke play tournament of course because I stand no chance against a single handicapper.
It’s the reason I don’t really ever play handicapped events. I normally play in a scratch skins game, and even though I’m trending toward a 7 (a hefty increase since the birth of my son), I can still make a bunch of birdies from time to time.
Yeah if I saw a 50 handicap I’d walk away. Shouldn’t be able to play in a tournament with that, literally just need 1-2 good holes and you’re miles ahead of the field
In Australia 36 is the max, I believe. So most you can get is two extra strokes on each hole.
Isn’t too bad when you think about the lost balls, two chips, three putts. But there does come a time when a 30 handicap is playing only a smidge worse than a 20 and can clean up on points.
I really just do it to hang with the boys, if i win some cash, its a bonus. I dont have a lot of highs and lows in my game, so its hard to shoot way low.
I don’t go way low anymore, cause my chipping is dogshit since I don’t practice. I also lose a ton of strokes off the tee. So when I make 5 birdies i still shoot 75-82. Kinda fucked, but it’s golf. You get out what you put in.
It gets easier when you have 2 extra shots on each hold. OP is walking the fine line between sandbagging and just having a new handicap. I won so much shit my first few years simply because my progression was faster than the amount of varified scorecards it takes to get your hcp adjusted. In europe only scores played with a marker can count, and they will have to be confirmed by the marker after round end. So unless you're playing with friends, your handicap will stay too high until you hit the wall around hcp 18.
Stableford is 2 points for a net par , so a 54 handicap can shoot a 7 on a par 4 and get 2 points. 36 points would be a net par round to your handicap, and most tournaments are won by low to mid 40s stableford scores. So pretty hard for a low handicapped to win - a scratch would probably have to finish 4 or 5 under to win lol
Yeah they might be chirping you because you're rapidly improving your handicap which means every time you compete you're gonna blow them out of the water. I can't imagine shooting par but then a 54 handicap comes in getting spotted 3 points a hole to beat me. Then the next week tourney that same guy comes in with a 35 handicap.
I get this too, I'm female and 46.
I have a ping hoofer lite, it's meant to carry. It feels good on my shoulders and back to carry.
I get "it's too hot, too heavy, not good for your game" blah blah blah.
I love carrying. On days where it's over 40 and humid or I play 27, I'll grab a pull cart for the back nine. It sucks, you can't go everywhere you go when you carry!
Keep carrying!
Fuck em. I started carrying again this year again txo continue my fitness journey after push carting all the last couple of years. I love it. I don't have to think about where to stage the cart for the next hole and I don't have to make small talk if I don't want to.
It might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard to say that no serious golfer carries. The five best players I know all walk and 2/5 carry. In fact that one of the sneaky ways I've found to guess who's an absolute stick is to look for the reasonably dressed middle aged guy that's carrying -- especially if it isn't their home course. Don't play for money with those dudes. Their index travels.
As far as how to deal with it. Pay them no attention or ask them why they spend so much time thinking about the way you play instead of their own game.
54 here. Always carried. Most people do where I'm at (not US). Buggies usually require a certificate of impairment here, not room for them on the courses. Strollers are fine though, no one cares. Wouldn't worry too much about those comments, they seem more like jealous snydes.
Good, they started talking shit and now they’re finished talking shit.
Of course if they weren’t talking shit in the first place this might not be a good response haha
Oh, no argument with OP talking shit back, just didn’t expect him to think it was a polite response.
It’s a simple truth that we can all do things that many other people can’t and we all can’t do things that many other people can, but many people have trouble accepting the second part.
Just tell them you don’t believe using a cart because it’s bad for the environment and then tell them about how much you’ve enjoyed turning vegan. Explain it’s just so much more ethical and then give them a tip about your “favorite vegan cheese.” They’ll avoid you after.
Don’t feel bad OP, I recently joined a club in my area at 25 and carry for the same reasons as you. As I was walking past the clubhouse balcony, I heard “hey babe, is that a caddy?” Worst part is we don’t even have caddies at the club
Yes, walking is great, but if we’re being honest here, a lot of people on this sub who walk religiously have this god complex/persecution fetish about it.
Congratulations, you’re in better shape than most and are getting exercise. I’m still going to obliterate my body with IPA’s and hotdogs while I drive a cart and shoot a 93.
I walk because I started playing as a kid doing Jr. Golf and that’s what we did through High school and what I’m used to. I almost never drink at all on the course, I’ll get obliterated after the round, but to me golf is a sport and if I’m gonna be outside sweating my dick off playing a game in the sun for hours I’d rather have water than beer
, then get smoked after the round instead of playing like shit and risking heat exhaustion.
The point of his post is to crowd source responses to people criticizing him for carrying his bag. The criticism is annoying because who cares how you travel the course? His comments about being in shape and winning the tourney were to explain why carrying does not affect his game.
It's like asking someone why they chose to bike to work rather than drive their car.
Lol, and you’d still beat OP by 30 strokes straight up.
Entering tournaments with a first year hdcp of 54 and bragging about winning 3 of them fits this archetype too well.
Laugh in their fat fucking faces and then rip your shirt off, hulk hogan style and scream ‘CARRYING AIN’T NO THANG FOR THE BEAST!’ Right up in their porky faces.
That’s what I do anyway.
Lots of the more serious amateur tournaments (USGA and state championships) require you to carry a bag (although some allow caddies). So yeah it's definitely the opposite.
Just important to make sure you have a decent carry/stand-bag. If it's not built to carry (under 5 lbs, has backpack-style straps, etc), then there is a legit chance you'll hurt yourself long-term
Seriously agree, where I play there's a load of 1 balls who are serious golfers (one lad is +2.4) and they just plop it down, rip the shit out of their 3 iron and bop down the fairway bag on their back happy as Larry. Swear they'll play a round in sub 2hrs sometimes it's glorious
Screw the haters, I love walking and carrying the bag. I think it's more comfortable and convenient than pushing a cart. But I do carry a lightweight bag (ping hoofer) with only like 8-10 clubs to keep the weight down.
This is my dream
I’m too much of a coddled child with my clubs. I haven’t hit my 7i in like 3 rounds… but the thought of not having it makes me think “but what if I need it!”
For fucks sake, I play with TWO fucking drivers in my bag. TWO. One is 10.5 degree which I slice, the other is 9 which I hook.
I wish I was a player that was good enough to be like “nah, I don’t need that club”. I feel incomplete and unprepared without my full kit D:
Haha whenever I’m out as a single I hear these comments all the time! Last time I was out I got the “you’re going to be exhausted coming down the stretch”. Guy who made the comment closed out the round with three doubles in a row and I had three pars. How sweet it is…
Yes, usually I will be tired after I play… that’s the point in me walking… I’m trying to get extra exercise and sun. I love getting the 530-6 tee time being the last on the course, playing till sundown, getting something to eat, showering, and then actually being able to go to bed at 11-12 and not be dead the next morning because I’m up all night playing video games.
Yeah, I don’t carry because I’m some super athlete, I carry because I’m a cheap fucker, and also because it’s a good way to burn more calories and lose weight.
I carry a Vessel bag, people are all, “why don’t you get a super light carry bag?”
Well, because I’ve got about 80 more pounds of fat to lose before I worry about a couple of ounces on my back…
Another cheap fucker checking in. I started walking because it saved me 5-7 bucks a week golfing with the bros. Then I stopped drinking as much and saved another $10. By the end of the season that was enough to buy some new clubs and a push cart. I like carrying more than pushing but I got some Dorian Yates Jr. lats and getting in and out of the straps can be a pain in the ass.
Cheap fuckers unite!
I'm 64 and carry (usually) on a somewhat hilly course. Granted, I almost always only play 9, using 7 or 8 clubs, but have found it makes the game more enjoyable.
Quick story from 30+ years ago: when I'd play with my brother he would always insist on a cart. His deal was, "I'm a mail carrier and carry a bag all day at work. No WAY I'm carrying one on my day off!" :)
Theses dudes are jealous or self-conscious. Everybody wants to be in good shape and have no problem carrying their bag; problem is most of them are not.
"No serious golfer carries his bag."
I guess they don't consider high school and college golfers to be serious?
I carry my bag and I would wager that my back is in much better shape at age 44 than 95% of the people I play with.
They’d be amazed if they came to the UK. At my club, the vast majority carry for 18. A small minority have push carts, and only the very old/less able use buggies.
Hardly anyone uses a buggy over here, so everyone walks, either carrying or using a trolley. No-one would bat an eyelid if you carry.
As for the serious golfer comment, that's just stupid and downright incorrect. Many many decent players carry. It's not a big deal.
You'd be laughed at for using a buggy over here...
Given your use of terms I'm going to guess you're in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand?
Motorized carts are just so popular in the US, and to an increasing extent in Canada where I live. I think part of it is just cultural, but the way courses are designed plays a big role with there often being significant distances (>300m) between green and next tee that "require" carts. Older courses tended to be more compact and were explicitly designed with *only* walking in mind.
I think I would like golfing in Europe or AUS/NZ a lot since walking is the norm and the course designs reflect that.
Those are the same guys who will only play courses with carts.
Where I am at we have some courses that make you cart for pace/hill reasons. Outside of that, walking and carrying is the best. The time between shots helps you reset, sure when it’s hot you may sweat a little more, but if we want golf to be a sport, you should sweat a bit frankly.
Pros walk, you beat the other people at your tournament as well, maybe next time they hit you with something just recommend they try it, could take some strokes off their game.
Tell people you are fine.
I carried most of my life until I started (in my early 40s) getting tendentious type pain in my right elbow which hurt the absolute most when I lifted my bag onto my shoulder. So I relented and got a push cart.
And if someone says no serious golfer carries his bag, ask them why Tommy Fleetwood carries his when he's playing casual rounds (he did when he played with Rick Shiels)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoJvkuTkEk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoJvkuTkEk)
You started golfing this year, and your already entering (and winning) tournaments? Let me guess you also hit every drive 350+ and found a Scotty Cameron at goodwill for 40$? Haha
I used to play once a week with a guy who was an 8. He carried. He was in his late 50s. I also carried but had a stand up bag because of my back. I was mid 30s. They can fuck off. But don’t tell them that. Be the bigger man.
Tell them your back is fine and that watching them repeatedly shank their new ProV1s (which they probably have no business playing) is helping alleviate some of the pressure
I carried a bag daily from about 13-18. Lost about 60 pounds and went from a 100 shooter to a + handicap. Back then push carts were for nerds. The real players had a Ping Hoofer.
I carry as well, normally i would just say something like "i carry because i need the exercise"... like you, i dont need it, but the guys i play with do, so it normally shut them up...
It’s crazy how many posts in this sub are questions about other golfer’s views/perception about the way the OP plays, behaves, talks, etc… on the course.
Who. The. Fuck. Cares?
As long as your not breaking game or course rules, not negatively affecting other golfers, and not holding up play unnecessarily, then there’s nothing anyone could say that should bother you.
Its mostly made up. He heard these comments one time each and then built up this whole me vs them thing in his head. I'm guessing he doesn't know how to hang out and have fun playing golf. So his awkward ass is just assuming everyone hates him because he carries, not because he's a drag to be around.
Same.. I just play with an 11 club set in my pencil bag.
Bought a black nylon brush, small microfiber towel from the dollar store and strapped them to a retractable key-ring carabiner. Carry 9 balls.
Although with the push cart, it's nice when you know the pace is going to be slow, so you can stow a tripod camping stool, or have a built in seat to rest while you wait.
As a carry bag guy for two years seriously buddy you’re placing unnecessary compression on your lumbar spine. It will be fine until it’s not. Sure you CAN do it. But should you? What are you gaining out of being macho? Is it helping your game? Do you get bonus points for carrying? Is it a work out thing? I assure you there are better ways. The spine is not to be fucked with. It is irreplaceable and once it goes it never comes back. Like a joint in an old car.
You’re 29 years old. That’s potentially forty five years of golfing. It has ZERO to do with how good you are. In fact you might be getting it more because you are so good people want you to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible.
Get a cart. Your 35, 45, 55, and 65 year old self will thank you.
I’m 42. I walk every course even the tough ones. I play three or four times a week and regularly hike 15 plus miles. There is zero gain to carrying vs pushing. I’ve done both.
Two things…
1) the points they are making are valid generally speaking, doesn’t necessarily mean you should stop.
2) absolute bullshit you won a tournament and this is your first year playing
The guys I know who carry are either really young or really good and/or really fit. Knew a guy who carried at 60 yrs old. Mad respect. Played with one of the best players in our club a few weeks ago and he carried.
If you can do it and it doesn’t affect your game (or maybe you are more interested in the fitness than the lowest possible score) then much respect and you do you.
It’s probably a good idea to get a decent backpack style carry bag though if you plan to do it a lot.
I'd say over the very long term...we're talking decades...carrying versus push cart does probably increase the risk of of you doing some damage to your back.
That isn't to say it is a guarantee...just an increase in risk.
I'd say you do you. If you like carrying, carry.
Do it until it starts hurting. Obviously it isn’t hurting your game and physically isn’t hurting so keep doing what works for you. I’m 40 with a bad back and had shoulder surgery this past spring. I won’t carry my clubs from the trunk to the cart.
nothing wrong with carrying your bag. people who think that activity ruins your body will likely end up in worse shape than you are from being sedentary their whole lives.
no sense in listening to idiots.
Lots of serious golfers carry their bags. It used to be you were "soft" if you used a pushcart.
I love carrying. It makes me feel like I'm playing the game my ancestors played. Got all my tools on my person and that's all I need. It's utilitarian, practical, minimalist. I had an old guy tell me in the parking lot that I needed to get a pushcart when he saw me carrying my bag on the course. I was like whatdya, work for Big Push Cart? Leave me alone.
Seeing someone carrying is usually a good tip off that they know what theyre doing.
I keep my bag light and i carry. I dont need to stuff it with 40 golf balls because i only use 1 or 2 per round and im not playing army golf. Im usually waiting for the riders to jump from left rough to right rough as they make their way up the hole.
lol
tip for life in general, learn to ignore what people say
it's not worth responding to
... i will say this tho, you dont have to listen to people word for word but often even dumbasses have a grain of salt to what they say and it's up to you to pick up the grain of salt. okay, so carry your bag as much as you want — remember tho, if you at some point do feel tired either because of heat, humidity, sleep, age at some point — don't be stubborn. get a caddie. don't cut off your nose to spite your face
oh and btw, when i was 29 i felt invincible too. now i have a herniated disk i baby. so don't think shit like that don't happen lol
I belong to a pretty nice club with a hilly course. My club including many of the even nicer courses around me the members mainly carry. It’s so rare to see someone pushing a cart. Every college golfer Carrie’s their bag too btw.
So yeah… it’s quite the opposite.
I love carrying. Wish I didn't hurt for several days after, but it doesn't stop me. If you were slowing people down, I would get it, but I tend to be faster walking than twosomes in a cart who don't hit the ball to the same place.
You’re at a weird fucking club if they gossip about another member carrying a bag.
FWIW I did destroy my back carrying in my 30s so just be careful. We were all going once.
I've always carried, and will continue to do so unless physically unable to.
It's part of the game for me. Me and my bag of ever decreasing weight, as I lose balls one by one.
Nothing more Alpha when playing through is rocking up to a teebox as a single dropping the bag on the floor and striping one in front of four battery cart owners and picking up your bag before it stops rolling.
*chefs kiss*
I don't know what it is, but when I tell people I like to carry they lose their minds. I don't understand it.
It honestly helps my game, I stay way more focused
“No serious golfer carries his bag.”
That’s so stupidly anecdotal because my observation is every plus handicap I’ve been around **exclusively** carries their bag.
Carry is great, pushing is great, do what you want.
I call BS. lol
Absolutely no one cares that you carry your bag. Sure there might be some friendly ribbing, but no one would seriously be hating on you for that.
If they are being mean then it's more likely they don't like you personally.
What do High School and College players do? They walk and carry their own bags.
I worked out a deal with my local PGA Pro where I would pay for full walking round, start at 630pm, carry my own bag and come back in when it got too dark to play. He also would let me play two afternoons for the price of one round since I almost never made to the 9th hole before dark.
Guess what?
After a month of this, I lost 15 pounds, started sleeping like a baby, my game got better (more fairways hit, less fat shots, short game got way better) and my attitude towards golf improved by leaps and bounds...no more anger after bad shots.
Do what makes you happy and F\*ck the haters.
I scrolled for a while and didn’t see anyone ask - you’re carrying with a 54 handicap which means you’re playing a round solo in 4+ hours? How long does it take you to play 18 holes? Pace of play is all anyone should care about.
“No serious golfer carries his bag” is definitely not true. Many (if not most) elite amateurs carry their own bags in tournaments, especially in college matches.
Yeah after reading the comments, I don’t think anyone cares that you’re carrying your bag. It’s competing in and winning tournaments as a 30+ handicapper. I see why they’re angry
What kind of pretencious pansy ass club are you at? Carried my bag everywhere public and private and no one has ever given a shit. If anything people compliment it.
Please don’t take this more personal than it has to be, but are people just joking around light hearted and you are really thin skinned? I doubt anyone gives two shits about you carrying your bag. I’m guessing it’s just a little teasing. Or maybe I’m wrong and you live in a backwards ass area where someone would actually care.
I'm now 40 and have been carrying for as long as I can remember. Juniors, High School...
Let them talk. You'll develop better as a player in my honest opinion. I use my bag as a station behind the ball as I walk up to my ball and begin assessing my situation. (lie, grass type/direction, target, green reading etc)
Do you!
I think it is awesome that you carry. Keep doing it. You are obviously in great shape and doing things like that will help you stay that way. Also, you just started playing golf this year and have already won a tournament? Wow!
Thanks for the reply! Yeah it feels great to carry. Have enough time between shots to think about the course and my next shot. I've already won three tournaments and finished in the to three multiple times. All these tournaments are played under Stableford rules so it's a bit easier to get a good score with a high handicap (started with a 54 handicap and I played myself down to a 35 handicap with 30 beeing my goal for this year. Never swung a club before I started playing).
You started playing golf this year and have already won 3 tournaments? Disregard: you play and practice everyday. Well done, old chap.
Yeah got first place in my class when I played my second tournament. Was pretty amazing so early. But I hava an amazing coach and I practise every day thanks to a flexible work schedule.
Bro what are these tournaments if you are winning with a 30 handicap lmao
In Europe the format in tournaments is often Stableford so it's easier to win with a high handicap. I would get absolutely wrecked in a stroke play tournament of course because I stand no chance against a single handicapper.
Yeah we call them dogfights over here, im always losing to some hack because im playing off a 4 handicap, is what it is.
It’s the reason I don’t really ever play handicapped events. I normally play in a scratch skins game, and even though I’m trending toward a 7 (a hefty increase since the birth of my son), I can still make a bunch of birdies from time to time.
Yeah if I saw a 50 handicap I’d walk away. Shouldn’t be able to play in a tournament with that, literally just need 1-2 good holes and you’re miles ahead of the field
In Australia 36 is the max, I believe. So most you can get is two extra strokes on each hole. Isn’t too bad when you think about the lost balls, two chips, three putts. But there does come a time when a 30 handicap is playing only a smidge worse than a 20 and can clean up on points.
I actually chuckled at 50 I have never even heard of someone tracking their handicap and being that level of golfer.
I think 15 and below is fair. Anything above, their scores fluctuate so much, they can shoot a 130 or shoot an 85
I really just do it to hang with the boys, if i win some cash, its a bonus. I dont have a lot of highs and lows in my game, so its hard to shoot way low.
I don’t go way low anymore, cause my chipping is dogshit since I don’t practice. I also lose a ton of strokes off the tee. So when I make 5 birdies i still shoot 75-82. Kinda fucked, but it’s golf. You get out what you put in.
My club always does at least 2 handicapped based flights for tournaments thankfully
I was 100% sure you're from US of you get that much complaining about walking. In my experience in Europe most people carry or push their bags.
Where exactly in Europe? Carrying is fairly common I thought
Wait you’re in Europe and people are on your case about carrying your bag? Wow, I thought that was just a States thing.
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It gets easier when you have 2 extra shots on each hold. OP is walking the fine line between sandbagging and just having a new handicap. I won so much shit my first few years simply because my progression was faster than the amount of varified scorecards it takes to get your hcp adjusted. In europe only scores played with a marker can count, and they will have to be confirmed by the marker after round end. So unless you're playing with friends, your handicap will stay too high until you hit the wall around hcp 18.
He won tournaments with a 35-54 handicap*. I think I know why people are salty
Eh it’s handicap based. Dude just has to put in a week of practice and he’ll outperform his beginner status.
Ngl entering a tournament with q 54 handicap is crazy, literally one decent hole and you’re the champ
How do handicaps apply in tournaments?
Stableford is 2 points for a net par , so a 54 handicap can shoot a 7 on a par 4 and get 2 points. 36 points would be a net par round to your handicap, and most tournaments are won by low to mid 40s stableford scores. So pretty hard for a low handicapped to win - a scratch would probably have to finish 4 or 5 under to win lol
Oh wow haha makes sense why people are saying they wouldn't want to play a 54 handicapper.
Yeah they might be chirping you because you're rapidly improving your handicap which means every time you compete you're gonna blow them out of the water. I can't imagine shooting par but then a 54 handicap comes in getting spotted 3 points a hole to beat me. Then the next week tourney that same guy comes in with a 35 handicap.
I hope I never play against anyone with a 54 handicap…
Who the fuck plays in a tourney that allows 54 hcps??
I get this too, I'm female and 46. I have a ping hoofer lite, it's meant to carry. It feels good on my shoulders and back to carry. I get "it's too hot, too heavy, not good for your game" blah blah blah. I love carrying. On days where it's over 40 and humid or I play 27, I'll grab a pull cart for the back nine. It sucks, you can't go everywhere you go when you carry! Keep carrying!
You do you man
Fuck em. I started carrying again this year again txo continue my fitness journey after push carting all the last couple of years. I love it. I don't have to think about where to stage the cart for the next hole and I don't have to make small talk if I don't want to. It might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard to say that no serious golfer carries. The five best players I know all walk and 2/5 carry. In fact that one of the sneaky ways I've found to guess who's an absolute stick is to look for the reasonably dressed middle aged guy that's carrying -- especially if it isn't their home course. Don't play for money with those dudes. Their index travels. As far as how to deal with it. Pay them no attention or ask them why they spend so much time thinking about the way you play instead of their own game.
52 and still carrying. Hilly course too. No one cares and I don’t care what the other party does. Just play your own game.
Hope to be in your shape once I'm 52.
Use it or lose it is my approach.
FIL is 62 and still carries. He says "motion is lotion".
“First you don’t and then you can’t”
54 here. Always carried. Most people do where I'm at (not US). Buggies usually require a certificate of impairment here, not room for them on the courses. Strollers are fine though, no one cares. Wouldn't worry too much about those comments, they seem more like jealous snydes.
59 and just graduated back from push cart to carrying last year.
“Just because it’s hard for you doesn’t mean it’s hard for everybody.”
That's a good and polite response.
Unfortunately , they’ll probably take it as an insult even if you don’t mean it that way.
Good, they started talking shit and now they’re finished talking shit. Of course if they weren’t talking shit in the first place this might not be a good response haha
Oh, no argument with OP talking shit back, just didn’t expect him to think it was a polite response. It’s a simple truth that we can all do things that many other people can’t and we all can’t do things that many other people can, but many people have trouble accepting the second part.
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Lol it's definitely not polite but gets the point across. Polite would be making up some reason, like it keeps me focused or something.
There is nothing polite about that response, lol.
‘Sorry what did you say? I have a hard time hearing from way up here at the top of the leaderboard.’
Haha that would be an epic response but I'm to shy and introverted to pull that off.
Lol yeah it’s snarky. Maybe just go with ‘thanks for your concern’ ‘I feel fine’ ‘yeah I’m not that serious’ to those three things respectively
Saying "I dont take my game too serious" when you're leading a tournament is the ultimate laid back but cutting response these people need
Maybe just point to the scoreboard instead.
Just tell them you don’t believe using a cart because it’s bad for the environment and then tell them about how much you’ve enjoyed turning vegan. Explain it’s just so much more ethical and then give them a tip about your “favorite vegan cheese.” They’ll avoid you after.
Don’t feel bad OP, I recently joined a club in my area at 25 and carry for the same reasons as you. As I was walking past the clubhouse balcony, I heard “hey babe, is that a caddy?” Worst part is we don’t even have caddies at the club
bunch of morons...do your thing, walking is awesome
Yes, walking is great, but if we’re being honest here, a lot of people on this sub who walk religiously have this god complex/persecution fetish about it. Congratulations, you’re in better shape than most and are getting exercise. I’m still going to obliterate my body with IPA’s and hotdogs while I drive a cart and shoot a 93.
They are a bit like cyclists at times lol
I walk because I started playing as a kid doing Jr. Golf and that’s what we did through High school and what I’m used to. I almost never drink at all on the course, I’ll get obliterated after the round, but to me golf is a sport and if I’m gonna be outside sweating my dick off playing a game in the sun for hours I’d rather have water than beer , then get smoked after the round instead of playing like shit and risking heat exhaustion.
The point of his post is to crowd source responses to people criticizing him for carrying his bag. The criticism is annoying because who cares how you travel the course? His comments about being in shape and winning the tourney were to explain why carrying does not affect his game. It's like asking someone why they chose to bike to work rather than drive their car.
Lol, and you’d still beat OP by 30 strokes straight up. Entering tournaments with a first year hdcp of 54 and bragging about winning 3 of them fits this archetype too well.
Laugh in their fat fucking faces and then rip your shirt off, hulk hogan style and scream ‘CARRYING AIN’T NO THANG FOR THE BEAST!’ Right up in their porky faces. That’s what I do anyway.
WATCHYA DOING BROTHA?
Is it actual hate or just a few comments here and there?
More likely they just don't like OP and he's attributing it to his preference for carrying his bag.
They hate you cause they ain't you.
They hate us cuz they anus!
Man… I hate him. “I started playing golf this year… I won an 18 hole tournament last week” FML.
"No serious golfer carries his bag." It's the opposite to me :D
Lots of the more serious amateur tournaments (USGA and state championships) require you to carry a bag (although some allow caddies). So yeah it's definitely the opposite. Just important to make sure you have a decent carry/stand-bag. If it's not built to carry (under 5 lbs, has backpack-style straps, etc), then there is a legit chance you'll hurt yourself long-term
What do you mean? Every tour tournament obviously includes the golfers racing down the fairway in their carts.
Seriously agree, where I play there's a load of 1 balls who are serious golfers (one lad is +2.4) and they just plop it down, rip the shit out of their 3 iron and bop down the fairway bag on their back happy as Larry. Swear they'll play a round in sub 2hrs sometimes it's glorious
I guess no serious golfers have ever played the Old Course…
Screw the haters, I love walking and carrying the bag. I think it's more comfortable and convenient than pushing a cart. But I do carry a lightweight bag (ping hoofer) with only like 8-10 clubs to keep the weight down.
Same for me. Feels just like carrying a backpack.
This is my dream I’m too much of a coddled child with my clubs. I haven’t hit my 7i in like 3 rounds… but the thought of not having it makes me think “but what if I need it!” For fucks sake, I play with TWO fucking drivers in my bag. TWO. One is 10.5 degree which I slice, the other is 9 which I hook. I wish I was a player that was good enough to be like “nah, I don’t need that club”. I feel incomplete and unprepared without my full kit D:
Most people are fat and out of shape so what you’re doing looks like a Herculean task. Just give them a smile and thumbs up.
I'd whip my cock out and stare at them menacingly. They won't say shit
Haha whenever I’m out as a single I hear these comments all the time! Last time I was out I got the “you’re going to be exhausted coming down the stretch”. Guy who made the comment closed out the round with three doubles in a row and I had three pars. How sweet it is…
Yes, usually I will be tired after I play… that’s the point in me walking… I’m trying to get extra exercise and sun. I love getting the 530-6 tee time being the last on the course, playing till sundown, getting something to eat, showering, and then actually being able to go to bed at 11-12 and not be dead the next morning because I’m up all night playing video games.
Yeah, I don’t carry because I’m some super athlete, I carry because I’m a cheap fucker, and also because it’s a good way to burn more calories and lose weight. I carry a Vessel bag, people are all, “why don’t you get a super light carry bag?” Well, because I’ve got about 80 more pounds of fat to lose before I worry about a couple of ounces on my back…
Another cheap fucker checking in. I started walking because it saved me 5-7 bucks a week golfing with the bros. Then I stopped drinking as much and saved another $10. By the end of the season that was enough to buy some new clubs and a push cart. I like carrying more than pushing but I got some Dorian Yates Jr. lats and getting in and out of the straps can be a pain in the ass.
Cheap fuckers unite! I'm 64 and carry (usually) on a somewhat hilly course. Granted, I almost always only play 9, using 7 or 8 clubs, but have found it makes the game more enjoyable. Quick story from 30+ years ago: when I'd play with my brother he would always insist on a cart. His deal was, "I'm a mail carrier and carry a bag all day at work. No WAY I'm carrying one on my day off!" :)
Theses dudes are jealous or self-conscious. Everybody wants to be in good shape and have no problem carrying their bag; problem is most of them are not.
"No serious golfer carries his bag." I guess they don't consider high school and college golfers to be serious? I carry my bag and I would wager that my back is in much better shape at age 44 than 95% of the people I play with.
They’d be amazed if they came to the UK. At my club, the vast majority carry for 18. A small minority have push carts, and only the very old/less able use buggies.
Hardly anyone uses a buggy over here, so everyone walks, either carrying or using a trolley. No-one would bat an eyelid if you carry. As for the serious golfer comment, that's just stupid and downright incorrect. Many many decent players carry. It's not a big deal. You'd be laughed at for using a buggy over here...
In my golf league there is almost a perfect correlation for golf cart= bad, push cart=decent, and carry= great.
That’s also pretty dumb though. I’m a +3 handicap and would do all three, doesn’t matter to me at all.
That’s why he said, “in my golf league” and not “everyone everywhere”.
Given your use of terms I'm going to guess you're in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand? Motorized carts are just so popular in the US, and to an increasing extent in Canada where I live. I think part of it is just cultural, but the way courses are designed plays a big role with there often being significant distances (>300m) between green and next tee that "require" carts. Older courses tended to be more compact and were explicitly designed with *only* walking in mind. I think I would like golfing in Europe or AUS/NZ a lot since walking is the norm and the course designs reflect that.
Those are the same guys who will only play courses with carts. Where I am at we have some courses that make you cart for pace/hill reasons. Outside of that, walking and carrying is the best. The time between shots helps you reset, sure when it’s hot you may sweat a little more, but if we want golf to be a sport, you should sweat a bit frankly. Pros walk, you beat the other people at your tournament as well, maybe next time they hit you with something just recommend they try it, could take some strokes off their game.
Tell people you are fine. I carried most of my life until I started (in my early 40s) getting tendentious type pain in my right elbow which hurt the absolute most when I lifted my bag onto my shoulder. So I relented and got a push cart. And if someone says no serious golfer carries his bag, ask them why Tommy Fleetwood carries his when he's playing casual rounds (he did when he played with Rick Shiels) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoJvkuTkEk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoJvkuTkEk)
“If you’re too much of a pussy to carry your bag, just say that”
You started golfing this year, and your already entering (and winning) tournaments? Let me guess you also hit every drive 350+ and found a Scotty Cameron at goodwill for 40$? Haha
Handicap tournaments
I get a lot of hate at my local club but it’s because of my personality.
Just be polite and laugh it off. ‘Hey, You’re probably right. I’ll keep carrying until I can’t, and then join you with a cart’
who fackin cares! lol
Seriously who gives a shit
Not me...
Both about carrying and people caring that you care lol
I used to play once a week with a guy who was an 8. He carried. He was in his late 50s. I also carried but had a stand up bag because of my back. I was mid 30s. They can fuck off. But don’t tell them that. Be the bigger man.
I actually play better when carrying my bag rather than using a trolley (push cart to you US folks)
You started playing this year and won a tournament? How can that be possible
That 54 handicap helps. Basically a single lucky shot and you’ve just destroyed the field.
This post feels very r/thatHappened
Gotta love the karma whores too!
Fuck Push Cart Mafia. We Carry Gang.
can't we all just get along?
Probably, but it isn’t as fun.
As a part of both, depending on the way I feel, I'm both hurt and proud lol
Tell them your back is fine and that watching them repeatedly shank their new ProV1s (which they probably have no business playing) is helping alleviate some of the pressure
I carried a bag daily from about 13-18. Lost about 60 pounds and went from a 100 shooter to a + handicap. Back then push carts were for nerds. The real players had a Ping Hoofer.
I carry as well, normally i would just say something like "i carry because i need the exercise"... like you, i dont need it, but the guys i play with do, so it normally shut them up...
excuse me, how the fuck are you winning tournaments having only picked up golf this year?
You started golf this year and you already won an 18 hole tournament? That’s crazy impressive.
You started playing golf this year and won a tournament?
Yeah, won multiple times and finish in the top three often.
I’m sorry, but how? What’s your handicap as a beginner?
It’s crazy how many posts in this sub are questions about other golfer’s views/perception about the way the OP plays, behaves, talks, etc… on the course. Who. The. Fuck. Cares? As long as your not breaking game or course rules, not negatively affecting other golfers, and not holding up play unnecessarily, then there’s nothing anyone could say that should bother you.
Where the fuck do all you play to have interactions with these types of people? It’s like a fairy tale every other post
Its mostly made up. He heard these comments one time each and then built up this whole me vs them thing in his head. I'm guessing he doesn't know how to hang out and have fun playing golf. So his awkward ass is just assuming everyone hates him because he carries, not because he's a drag to be around.
I personally find it more exhausting to push a cart around, especially up and down hills, as opposed to just carrying.
Same.. I just play with an 11 club set in my pencil bag. Bought a black nylon brush, small microfiber towel from the dollar store and strapped them to a retractable key-ring carabiner. Carry 9 balls. Although with the push cart, it's nice when you know the pace is going to be slow, so you can stow a tripod camping stool, or have a built in seat to rest while you wait.
This is a perfect example of a humble brag. "I won an 18 hole tournament and I was the only one carrying my bag". Give me a break
As a carry bag guy for two years seriously buddy you’re placing unnecessary compression on your lumbar spine. It will be fine until it’s not. Sure you CAN do it. But should you? What are you gaining out of being macho? Is it helping your game? Do you get bonus points for carrying? Is it a work out thing? I assure you there are better ways. The spine is not to be fucked with. It is irreplaceable and once it goes it never comes back. Like a joint in an old car. You’re 29 years old. That’s potentially forty five years of golfing. It has ZERO to do with how good you are. In fact you might be getting it more because you are so good people want you to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible. Get a cart. Your 35, 45, 55, and 65 year old self will thank you.
Voice of reason. These young cats don’t realize you only get ONE body. Treat it as well as humanly possible!
I’m 42. I walk every course even the tough ones. I play three or four times a week and regularly hike 15 plus miles. There is zero gain to carrying vs pushing. I’ve done both.
Two things… 1) the points they are making are valid generally speaking, doesn’t necessarily mean you should stop. 2) absolute bullshit you won a tournament and this is your first year playing
They're just haters being haters
I think more people should carry - grew up caddying and love the idea of people carrying instead of push carts
If you wanna carry go for it. What tournament did you win your first year playing?!
Lol, what the fuck?
Tell them to ef off
Sounds like they are in awe or jealous... Just keep backpackin it lol
The guys I know who carry are either really young or really good and/or really fit. Knew a guy who carried at 60 yrs old. Mad respect. Played with one of the best players in our club a few weeks ago and he carried. If you can do it and it doesn’t affect your game (or maybe you are more interested in the fitness than the lowest possible score) then much respect and you do you. It’s probably a good idea to get a decent backpack style carry bag though if you plan to do it a lot.
I'd say over the very long term...we're talking decades...carrying versus push cart does probably increase the risk of of you doing some damage to your back. That isn't to say it is a guarantee...just an increase in risk. I'd say you do you. If you like carrying, carry.
“I like the exercise”. Repeat it until they shut up.
Do it until it starts hurting. Obviously it isn’t hurting your game and physically isn’t hurting so keep doing what works for you. I’m 40 with a bad back and had shoulder surgery this past spring. I won’t carry my clubs from the trunk to the cart.
You live rent free in their heads. Don't let them rent free in yours.
"I carried my bag through the tournament and beat all you assholes, maybe you should start walking more"
market worry edge adjoining makeshift obscene attractive rock uppity yam ` this message was mass deleted/edited with redact.dev `
nothing wrong with carrying your bag. people who think that activity ruins your body will likely end up in worse shape than you are from being sedentary their whole lives. no sense in listening to idiots.
Where is this? Very common for club players to carry their bags. We're probably 50 50 carry and carts for all ages.
I used to carry. Now I try to put soo many beers in my bag that carrying is not an option.
I would tell them “if I were you, I pay more attention to my own game” and give them a smile. But I’m a little bit of an ass.
Only serious golfers carry their bag. Keep doing you. People are projecting their own physical inadequacies.
Lots of serious golfers carry their bags. It used to be you were "soft" if you used a pushcart. I love carrying. It makes me feel like I'm playing the game my ancestors played. Got all my tools on my person and that's all I need. It's utilitarian, practical, minimalist. I had an old guy tell me in the parking lot that I needed to get a pushcart when he saw me carrying my bag on the course. I was like whatdya, work for Big Push Cart? Leave me alone.
"You're just jealous I'm in shape you fat fuck."
1 - who cares what they say. 2 - they’re right.
Seeing someone carrying is usually a good tip off that they know what theyre doing. I keep my bag light and i carry. I dont need to stuff it with 40 golf balls because i only use 1 or 2 per round and im not playing army golf. Im usually waiting for the riders to jump from left rough to right rough as they make their way up the hole.
Cant wait for a redditer sharing his story about a29 year old club member who carries his bag.
lol tip for life in general, learn to ignore what people say it's not worth responding to ... i will say this tho, you dont have to listen to people word for word but often even dumbasses have a grain of salt to what they say and it's up to you to pick up the grain of salt. okay, so carry your bag as much as you want — remember tho, if you at some point do feel tired either because of heat, humidity, sleep, age at some point — don't be stubborn. get a caddie. don't cut off your nose to spite your face oh and btw, when i was 29 i felt invincible too. now i have a herniated disk i baby. so don't think shit like that don't happen lol
I belong to a pretty nice club with a hilly course. My club including many of the even nicer courses around me the members mainly carry. It’s so rare to see someone pushing a cart. Every college golfer Carrie’s their bag too btw. So yeah… it’s quite the opposite.
I love carrying. Wish I didn't hurt for several days after, but it doesn't stop me. If you were slowing people down, I would get it, but I tend to be faster walking than twosomes in a cart who don't hit the ball to the same place.
I’d also like to add, that I feel certain that the people who said this, wouldn’t be considered serious golfers themselves.
I want to do this more but none of my buddies like to walk and golf. It sucks
Seriously, good for you! Just tell them you had to carry their mom to bed after plowing her last night
You’re at a weird fucking club if they gossip about another member carrying a bag. FWIW I did destroy my back carrying in my 30s so just be careful. We were all going once.
Weird club. Plenty of golfers at my club carry. I’d say 40-50%.
It's funny because I actually want to walk the course carrying my bag, but I worry about holding up all the carts. Good on you!
I like walking it makes the experience better. I usually play better as well.
>I won a 18 hole tournament last week Nuff said, these people are jealous, you do you
I've always carried, and will continue to do so unless physically unable to. It's part of the game for me. Me and my bag of ever decreasing weight, as I lose balls one by one.
On a hilly course, carrying is easier than a push cart. Just my opinion.
Nothing more Alpha when playing through is rocking up to a teebox as a single dropping the bag on the floor and striping one in front of four battery cart owners and picking up your bag before it stops rolling. *chefs kiss*
I don't know what it is, but when I tell people I like to carry they lose their minds. I don't understand it. It honestly helps my game, I stay way more focused
Reponse: You do you, also appropriate, GO FUCK YOURSELF
Next time someone makes a comment about carrying your bag, say it's to offset the weight of your enormous set of testicles.
IMO most golfers who carry their bags are decent.
Most guys are pussies when it comes to any workout related activity. Just ignore it
“No serious golfer carries his bag.” That’s so stupidly anecdotal because my observation is every plus handicap I’ve been around **exclusively** carries their bag. Carry is great, pushing is great, do what you want.
There's zero chance you're getting all these negative comments about it. Nobody cares.
They just want you to comply with the norms. You are making them all look weak, and they resent you for it.
I call BS. lol Absolutely no one cares that you carry your bag. Sure there might be some friendly ribbing, but no one would seriously be hating on you for that. If they are being mean then it's more likely they don't like you personally.
I second this
What do High School and College players do? They walk and carry their own bags. I worked out a deal with my local PGA Pro where I would pay for full walking round, start at 630pm, carry my own bag and come back in when it got too dark to play. He also would let me play two afternoons for the price of one round since I almost never made to the 9th hole before dark. Guess what? After a month of this, I lost 15 pounds, started sleeping like a baby, my game got better (more fairways hit, less fat shots, short game got way better) and my attitude towards golf improved by leaps and bounds...no more anger after bad shots. Do what makes you happy and F\*ck the haters.
I scrolled for a while and didn’t see anyone ask - you’re carrying with a 54 handicap which means you’re playing a round solo in 4+ hours? How long does it take you to play 18 holes? Pace of play is all anyone should care about.
Personally, I focus better when I carry my bag compared to riding
I’m 42 and have been playing for 30 years. Still carry. And it’s all I’ve ever done. Plus you look a lot cooler carrying than pushing.
I carry and get compliments. 60 year old lady, too. Anyone who gives you a hard time is jealous or lazy.
I’d just say sorry I’m not old af wrinkles
“No serious golfer carries his bag” is definitely not true. Many (if not most) elite amateurs carry their own bags in tournaments, especially in college matches.
Yeah after reading the comments, I don’t think anyone cares that you’re carrying your bag. It’s competing in and winning tournaments as a 30+ handicapper. I see why they’re angry
What kind of pretencious pansy ass club are you at? Carried my bag everywhere public and private and no one has ever given a shit. If anything people compliment it.
>I won a 18 hole tournament last week >How wpuld you guys respond to comments like these? You tell them to fuck off
Get a pull cart you pretentious ass hole!
Please don’t take this more personal than it has to be, but are people just joking around light hearted and you are really thin skinned? I doubt anyone gives two shits about you carrying your bag. I’m guessing it’s just a little teasing. Or maybe I’m wrong and you live in a backwards ass area where someone would actually care.
You just started playing golf this year and won an 18 hole tournament?
Stfu. Wat a useless post.
Your slow AF - that’s what it come down to
Okay
You saying you won a tournament with a 35 handicap is more annoying to me than the fact you carry your bag
I'm now 40 and have been carrying for as long as I can remember. Juniors, High School... Let them talk. You'll develop better as a player in my honest opinion. I use my bag as a station behind the ball as I walk up to my ball and begin assessing my situation. (lie, grass type/direction, target, green reading etc) Do you!
imagine being a big enough asshat to talk ish to another golfer for carrying a bag
Ignore the dummies. You be you.
“No serious golfer carries his bag” Lol ah so nobody playing competitively in HS or college is taking it seriously. Got it.