Walking the golf course has so many benefits but while playing a match for me there is no better option. Well, having a nice walk with a caddy is better. Most of the courses I play do not offer caddies and the ones that do are very exclusive, private and outside of my budget.
 I signed up for a match play event at one of the local County run facilities just outside of Princeton. Round one was played on Sunday this past weekend with rain storms, and high temperatures predicted. Electing to take the moving shelter of a motorized cart was certainly an option for any player in the event but I would always rather walk than ride especially if riding would mean sharing a cart with a competitor. As usual, the walking option turned out to be the best choice. I went with no rain gear, no umbrella and a couple of extra towels. Of course I got soaked to the bone after the first three holes but as I pointed out to my fellow players you can only get so wet and trying to hide from the rain is usually more effort then it's worth.
My opponent did take a cart and was alone in it. The other match both walked and carried. I always use a push cart since my knees wont last with the added weight of my bag and I have a secret weapon for cleaning my clubs as I walk!
I had a birdie 3 on the first hole. A dream start in a match between two high handicapers. The real advantage came though when the phone started ringing in the cart and the player answered the calls. He may have been slightly drier then I was but he was also concerned about getting wet and dealing with the outside world. I on the other was bonding with mother nature, staying focused and playing with clean grooves on every shot. My biggest concern was rotating between four gloves to keep a sure grip on the handle. By the time we got to the turn I was 6 up and it was just a matter of time until I closed him out. He lasted through 12 and I won the match on 13 with a par.
So here is just another fine example of how walking the golf course adds focus and fitness to the fun of a friendly match.  The next round is set for Thursday  afternoon. No rain in the forecast so my advantage may be reduced to focus and nice clean grooves for maximum spin on my iron shots. I'll post the result by the end of the week.