For golf enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the driving range is more than just a place to fine-tune your swing, it’s a unique and effective workout that contributes to your physical well-being. Whether you’re hitting a bucket of balls for stress relief or using it as part of a consistent fitness routine, the driving range offers a variety of health benefits.
This article breaks down the calories burned at the driving range, highlights its value as a leisure activity, and explores why golf offers more than just game improvement, it delivers physical, mental, and recreational benefits.
How Many Calories are Burned at the Driving Range?
The number of calories burned at the driving range varies based on body weight, swing intensity, and duration. On average, a 150-pound person can burn around 200–300 calories per hour, while a 200-pound person may burn up to 400 calories.
Repeated golf swings engage multiple muscle groups, increasing energy expenditure. Walking, carrying clubs, and consistent movement all contribute to making the driving range a surprisingly effective, low-impact workout.
Practice your golf swing in Laval
Breaking Down Calorie Burn at the Driving Range
When it comes to physical activity, many people underestimate how much energy is actually required in golf-related activities like hitting balls at the golf driving range. While it’s not the same as running a marathon, swinging a golf club repeatedly, walking between stations, and collecting golf balls can add up in terms of calories per hour.
For the average person, the calories burned at the driving range vary depending on several factors:
- Body weight
- Exercise intensity
- Muscle mass
- Duration of activity
The Science Behind Calories Burned at the Driving Range
The human body relies on a combination of catabolic processes (breaking down molecules for energy) and anabolic processes (building muscle and tissue) during physical exertion. Hitting balls repeatedly stimulates both systems, especially as muscle fibers adapt and strengthen through consistent golf exercise.
- The metabolic process increases during activity, contributing to extra energy expenditure.
- Repeated swings activate complex muscle cells, building muscle strength and encouraging muscle gain over time.
While not a traditional cardio workout, spending an hour playing golf or practicing at a golf driving range can still lead to an impressive workout, especially for those new to exercise or seeking low-impact activity.
Muscle Mass, Body Weight, and Energy Expenditure
Individuals with higher muscle mass and lower body fat tend to burn more calories during the same activity. This is because muscle tissue requires more energy to function, and a larger body mass increases overall energy expenditure compared to a smaller individual.
Here’s a simple breakdown of calories burned by weight class during a 60-minute golf driving range session:
- 150-pound person: ~250 calories
- 175-pound person: ~295 calories
- 200-pound person: ~340 calories
These figures are estimations and can vary based on swing effort, rest periods, and exercise intensity.
What are the Health Benefits of Visiting the Driving Range?
Visiting the driving range offers more than just golf practice, it’s a powerful way to boost physical fitness, mental clarity, and social connection. Discover how this enjoyable activity supports overall health through muscle strengthening, stress relief, calorie burn, and cardiovascular benefits.
1. Enhances Muscle Strength and Coordination
Practising your golf swing at the driving range engages various muscle groups, particularly in the core, shoulders, and arms. Repetition builds muscle strength and improves coordination. Over time, this consistent movement enhances stability, flexibility, and posture, making it a functional workout that supports everyday mobility and balance.
2. Boosts Mental Clarity and Reduces Stress
The golf driving range offers a peaceful, focused environment that promotes mindfulness. The repetitive nature of hitting golf balls encourages mental clarity and stress relief. It’s a calming activity that helps clear your mind, reduce anxiety, and improve focus, making it a great mental health break during the day.
3. Supports Cardiovascular Health
Although not as intense as running, moving around the driving range, carrying clubs, and walking between buckets contribute to light aerobic activity. This moderate physical activity supports heart health by improving circulation, reducing blood pressure, and boosting overall cardiovascular endurance, especially when done regularly as part of a routine.
4. Aids in Weight Management and Calorie Burn
Time at the driving range contributes to energy expenditure. A typical session can burn 200–300 calories per hour, depending on body weight and swing frequency. This calorie burn supports weight management and fat loss over time, especially when combined with good nutrition and other low-impact physical activities.
5. Encourages Social Interaction and Mood Enhancement
Golf driving ranges often serve as social settings, encouraging lighthearted interaction and connection. Spending time with others while engaging in physical activity enhances mood, releases feel-good endorphins, and reduces feelings of loneliness or isolation, making it both a social and emotional boost to your overall wellbeing.
How golf improves mental and physical health
Calories and Golf: From the Driving Range to the Course
Golf isn’t just a leisure sport, it’s a surprisingly effective way to burn calories and improve fitness. From driving range sessions to full rounds on the course, each swing and step contributes to your energy expenditure. This section explores how golf helps you stay active while enjoying the mental and social perks of the game.
Here’s a comparison in terms of calories burned:
- Driving range (1 hour): 250–350 calories
- 9-hole walking round with bag: 600–800 calories
- 18-hole walking round with bag: 1,200+ calories
- With golf cart: Calories burned drop by 30–40%
Whether you’re playing a full round of golf or enjoying a game of mini-golf, each version involves some level of physical activity, though the intensity of exercise varies.
Visit Laval’s #1 Driving Range
At Centre de Golf Val des Arbres, we’re proud to be Laval’s leading driving range, committed to helping golfers of all levels sharpen their skills in a relaxed yet professional environment. Our spacious practice areas, premium hitting mats, and friendly atmosphere make it easy to concentrate on your swing and enjoy the game.
Whether you’re here for focused training or a casual session, you’ll find the ideal setting to elevate your practice. Come see why so many golfers in Laval choose us as their go-to destination!