Columnist Peter Benton: Walking still important to tradition, health of sport

Peter Benton

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Mike Kobeaga, a gentleman I truly admire (and not just because he's an avid reader of this column), called last week expressing (once again) the value of fitness in golf and questioning why I have not written more regarding this subject.

One must understand that Kobeaga is a fitness freak, and if he cannot walk a course he would prefer not to play at all, opting instead for a half hour or so on a treadmill followed by a strenuous 60-minute regimen on various exercise machines.

As his suggestions were offered with both caring and sincerity, and because it appears that warmer weather is now with us, I am heeding Mike's advice. Following is some research gathered regarding the value of carrying your clubs while walking and playing this hallowed game that we all love so much.

One must realize that warmer weather obviously equates to more golf being played, and naturally, for the average golfer, that translates to more golf behind the wheel of a cart.

Walking, unfortunately, is taboo on many courses because those all-important dollars fo the rental of the cart, is well, business, and will not be eliminated. However, where it is permissible (most private and some local public courses), you might consider taking advantage.

You see, researchers are rather adamant that you could do your circulatory system far more good than harm if you play your round on foot.

It has been proven quite conclusively that walking a course regularly assists in lowering cholesterol levels, and therefore will assist in decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Edward Palank and Ernest Hargreaves, researchers at the New England Heart Institute, studied 28 average -- and very enthusiastic -- male golfers aged 48 to 80 who had not exercised for four months.

In the exhausting study, the golfers walked approximately 14 miles by playing 18 holes three times weekly -- either with a pullcart or carrying a lightweight golf bag.

The golfers lowered their total cholesterol levels by an average of 17 milligrams per deciliter of blood. The low density lipoprotein fraction of their cholesterol (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) of 13.2 milligrams, the report stated. Both, it added, are very significant decreases.

However, the level of high-density lipoprotein, ("good" cholesterol), which is associated with a lower risk of heart disease did not change significantly. The reason being, according to Palank, is because the golfers frequent stops to hit the ball actually got in the way of their workout. It takes a sustained workout to improve that factor.

There was no denying that the study demonstrated that our chosen sport does have definite health values if you walk, and there is no doubt that it will improve your (heart disease) risk ratio.

So there you have it, gang, if you have the opportunity to walk a course, no matter what your age, take full advantage. There is an added plus of course -- it affords you the opportunity "to stop and small the roses."

This tournament has a $100 per person entry fee (which includes golf, cart and a luncheon), and also admits each participant into a drawing for a trip to the final round of the 2005 Masters. This trip includes airfare, hotel accommodation and entry into Sunday's final day of play at Augusta.

For full entry information, call either Mick Toscano at 838-4196 or Tony Lenzie at 304-7316.5In the exhausting study, the golfers walked approximately 14 miles by playing 18 holes three times weekly -- either with a pullcart or carrying a lightweight golf bag.