Does Golf Count as Exercise? Science Says Yes, Your Friends Say LOL

The short answer: Yes, but your Apple Watch is going to be very confused about it.

The real answer: Okay, so your non-golfer friends definitely think golf is "exercise" the way they think shopping is exercise. They're picturing old dudes in carts with beer cozies, and honestly? Fair. But if you're actually walking 18 holes, you're out here logging 4-5 miles, burning 1,200+ calories, and getting in more steps than your friend who won't shut up about her morning "hot girl walk." (Sorry, Viv.)

The Real/Real

Here's what golf actually does for your body:

The Cardio Situation - Walking the course gets your heart rate up without turning your knees into dust like running does. You're outside for 4+ hours, moving consistently, and if you're playing in August? That's basically a sauna session except you're also expected to perform under pressure. (Honestly, it should count double - especially in Arizona.)

The Strength Sneakiness - Every swing engages your core, shoulders, glutes, and legs. You do that 80-100 times per round, and congratulations—you just did a full-body workout that your body will absolutely remind you about tomorrow. Carrying or pushing your bag? That's resistance training you didn't ask for but you're getting anyway. You're welcome.

The Mental Gymnastics - Here's where golf becomes legitimately elite exercise: the focus, strategy, and emotional management required to not absolutely lose it after a three-putt? That's cardio for your brain. Science says combining cognitive work with physical movement is basically anti-aging serum. (We're 100% claiming this counts and no one can stop us.

But Let's Be Honest For A Second

If you're riding in a cart, snacking through the back nine, and your biggest physical effort is trying to read the menu at the clubhouse... that's a vibe, but it's not exercise. It's a social event with clubs. Which is completely valid! Golf can be whatever you need it to be. But don't try to tell your doctor this counts as your weekly cardio, bestie.

Also, the whole beer-cart-and-cigars (are the ladies leaving those cigar butts at the tee box?) culture isn't exactly screaming "fitness activity." (Again, no judgment-live your life. But we're keeping it real here.)

The Bottom Line

Golf is excellent exercise when you walk. Period. It's cardio that doesn't hurt, functional strength training, flexibility work (that rotation isn't going to improve itself), and mental fitness all wrapped up in one extremely frustrating but addictive package.

Will it give you a six-pack? Probably not. Will it replace your deadlifts? Absolutely not. But as regular movement that also happens to be fun? It's genuinely great. And here's the thing nobody talks about: it's exercise you'll actually DO. How many people are still psyched about their ClassPass subscription six months in? (Exactly.)

Your move: Next round, ditch the cart. Walk nine holes and report back. Carry your bag if you're feeling spicy. Bring a friend and make them do it too so you have someone to complain with.

The fairways are calling, and yes, they absolutely count as your workout.

What's your take—are you Team Walk or Team Cart? Hit reply and let us know. We promise not to judge the cart people. (Much.)