How Many Calories Does Golf Burn?

A 155-pound person burns about 169 calories in 30 minutes of playing golf (around 337 per hour). See a full calories-by-weight-and-duration table, based on 2011 Compendium MET values.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

A 155-pound person burns about 169 calories in 30 minutes and approximately 337 calories in one hour of playing golf. The activity has an approximate MET value of 4.8. Calories burned increase with body weight, duration, and intensity.

The number of calories burned while playing golf is influenced by several factors, including METs, body weight, duration of play, and intensity of the activity. Understanding these variables can help provide a clearer picture of caloric expenditure during a round of golf.

Calories Burned From Golf by Weight and Time

The following table outlines the calories burned by individuals of different weights over varying durations of golf play.

Body weight 15 min 30 min 45 min 60 min
125 lb (57 kg) 68 136 204 272
155 lb (70 kg) 84 169 253 337
185 lb (84 kg) 101 201 302 403
215 lb (98 kg) 117 234 351 468

A heavier body and a longer session both burn more. Intensity matters too: the values above use 4.8 METs (walking, carrying clubs).

Tracking Exercise and Food in Nutrola

Calories burned only change your results if you record them. Nutrola lets you log a session like playing golf in a few ways: describe it in your own words by voice or text, pick an exercise type and intensity, or enter the calories directly, and on iOS and Android it can sync workouts automatically from Apple Health or Health Connect. Logged workouts sit next to the food you track from a photo, barcode, or voice entry, so calories in and calories out stay in one place. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

Sources and Method

MET (metabolic equivalent) values are from the 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities (Ainsworth et al.), the standard reference for the energy cost of physical activity. Calories are estimated with the equation calories = METs x body weight in kilograms x duration in hours, where one MET is the energy used sitting quietly. Golf at walking, carrying clubs is rated at 4.8 METs. Real burn varies with fitness, technique, terrain, and effort, so treat these as close estimates, not exact counts. This is educational and not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories does playing golf burn in 30 minutes?

Playing golf burns approximately 169 calories in 30 minutes for a 155-pound person. This estimate is based on the MET value of 4.8 and the individual's body weight.

How many calories does playing golf burn in an hour?

In one hour, a 155-pound person burns about 337 calories while playing golf. This figure is derived from the METs and the duration of the activity.

Is playing golf good for weight loss?

Playing golf can contribute to weight loss, as it burns calories depending on body weight, duration, and intensity. Regular participation can help create a caloric deficit when combined with a balanced diet.

How accurate are these golf calorie estimates?

These calorie estimates are based on the MET value of 4.8 and individual body weights. While they provide a good approximation, actual calories burned may vary based on personal factors.

Key Takeaways

  • Golf at walking pace, carrying clubs, has a MET value of 4.8.
  • A 155-pound person burns about 169 calories in 30 minutes.
  • In one hour, a 155-pound person burns approximately 337 calories.
  • Caloric expenditure increases with body weight, duration, and intensity.

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