What will science say about using a Batcaddy?
Hello BATCADDY Community! In this week's Walk-A-Round, we want to highlight Neil E. Wolkodoff, PhD, Sports Scientist. Neil is in the process of conducting a new study on the physiological effects of golf in different transport modes, one being BATCADDY Electric Push Carts!
Does golf burn calories at a significantly higher rate than just walking? Does walking the course instead of riding in a cart give you better mental focus? What about carrying your clubs or using a Batcaddy?
Based upon his original study in 2012, Neil E. Wolkodoff, PhD, is conducting a new study to further investigate the physiological effects of golf in different transport modes. These modes include using a pushcart, an electric trolley (this years study uses Batcaddys), and riding in a motor cart. In the first study, electric trolleys were not tested as they were used very little, now they account for a significant number of golfers walking the course. In short, carrying a bag, while still significant in numbers, has dropped with the addition of more pushcart and electric trolley use over the last three years.
Prior to golf play, each of 10 subjects will undergo a VO2 max profile to establish their basic aerobic fitness, and whether golf qualifies as either a health or fitness development activity. During the subsequent rounds, subjects will use a metabolic assessment system to record various metrics such as oxygen consumption, heart rate and breathing variables. From those, it can be determined if the subject is getting effective exercise. In addition, this will be the first energy expenditure study on golf to also measure the effects of the transport mode on mental focus in tee shots, second shots and short game. Participants will also play rounds on a short course to compare energy expenditure to a traditional, championship course.
The study is a partnership between the Colorado Center for Health & Sports Science and the Colorado Golf Association. The testing location is Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado. The study is expected to conclude in October, with publication of results soon thereafter. We will be following up with Neil to see how our latest X9R Batcaddy holds up in his testing! What are your thoughts? Have you noticed a difference in walking rather than riding? Do you feel more at one with the golf course? Let us know in the comments and have fun out there!
Neil has contributed articles & interviews to Men's Fitness, Golf Tips, Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, Shape, American Health, the New York Times, the Washington Post and golf.com among others. He was past book review editor & columnist for Fitness Management Magazine. He is the author of five books including Physical Skiing, Core Powered Golf, Physical Golf and Body Logic.
I love to walk the courses, but the effort of pushing a regular trolley especially on a hilly course is not appreciated. I’m 71 and play 3-4 times a week – always with my trusty BatCaddy. I also want to shout out to Adam – the wonderful service technician who’s fixed my BatCaddy several times with no more than an email reply.
I love to walk the golf course, rather than ride in a golf cart and firmly believe you are more in tune with your surroundings and the game when you do. There are exceptions to walking, for me for sure, and those exceptions are weather related – it’s just too hot and humid in the Florida summers! I started playing golf over 50 years ago and carried my bag, it did not take long to move to a non-powered caddy. Next came years of golf cart riding, but now I walk, with my Batcaddy, whenever I can and I’m now on my second. For me, to walk is not only healthier than riding, but also gives me a better enjoyment of the game and a better appreciation of what is around me. Does walking improve my game, well that might be up for debate, but I’m maintaining my handicap as I get older, so it definitely does not hurt.
On my second Bat Caddy! Love it! So much easier to have the entire set of clubs to select the club needed for the next shot than to carry several from the cart to the point of play. Mine is several years old so maybe the new ones have a “click to set” speed control knob….not having it is sometime difficult to “reset” the speed while cart is rolling over the terrain. I am 76 and planning to wear out several more Bat Caddy’s before they “wear me out”! I am a member of the KickingBird Senior Men’s Golf Association in Edmond, OK…ages 62 and up..the most mature is 95 and will give you all the competition you want!
Go Golf Walking America!!
I normally walk using a Sun Mountain push cart. A few weeks ago I bought a bat caddy. Other than having issues with the left wheel falling off, I love it. The course I play has several significant hills. (Thus the name Buffalo Hill) with Bat Caddy, I climb t
he hills much more easily and feel better striking the ball. I plan to golf into my senior years. Bat Caddy will let me keep walking!
I am convinced walking with my BatCaddy allows much better mental focus. I simply walk to my ball, looking at the next shot and making preliminary plans before I even arrive. Using a golf cart — which I’ve had to do recently because of temporary health setbacks — forces me to think about where to park the cart, where is my riding partner’s ball, how many clubs should I take if partner takes the cart ahead, etc.
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