Calories Burned During 250 Activities - Golf

Golf

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Last updated on: 5/22/2012 1:51:55 PM PST

Calories Burned During 250 Activities

How does golf compare to other activities in terms of calories burned?


Golf: 125-454 calories/hour photo source: cenegenicscarolinas.com	Aerobics: 415-829 calories/hour photo source: alibaba.com	Shoveling snow: 341-682 calories/hour photo source: scientificamerican.org

The amount of calories burned during an activity is one indicator of its physical rigor. Out of a list of 250 activities ranging from washing a car to swimming laps, playing golf (while carrying a golf bag) ranked #101 in the number of calories burned per hour. The golf calorie data below come from Neil Wolkodoff's "An Exercise in Futility," which was published in the Apr. 2009 issue of Colorado Avid Golfer. The calculations for the other activities come from the 2011 Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise study "2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A Second Update of Codes and MET Values," by BE Ainsworth, WL Haskell, SD Hermann, N Meckes et al., which included 800+ activities in their study. See our methodology for calculating calories or view the chart of 250 activities ordered by category.

Calories Burned Per Hour During 250 Activities, Based on Weight (Ranked from Highest to Lowest Calorie Burning Activities)

CALORIES BURNED IF YOU WEIGH:

RANK	ACTIVITY	125 LBS	150 LBS	200 LBS	250 LBS
150	golf, carrying a bag	227	273	361	454
172	golf, riding in cart	125	150	206	250
188	golf, using a caddy	193	232	307	386
234	golf, using a pushcart	222	266	359	442

1	running, 14 mph (4.3 min/mile)	1,306	1,569	2,091	2,613
2	bicycling: mountain, competitive, racing	909	1,091	1,454	1,818
3	running, stairs, up	852	1,023	1,364	1,704
4	running, 10 mph (6 min/mile)	824	989	1,318	2,613
5	swimming, butterfly, general	784	941	1,254	1,568
6	running, marathon	755	907	1,209	1,511
7	skating, speed, competitive	755	907	1,209	1,511
8	boxing, in ring, general	727	873	1,164	1,454
9	rope skipping, general	699	839	1,118	1,397
10	skindiving or SCUBA diving as a frogman, Navy Seal	682	818	1,091	1,363
11	handball, general	682	818	1,091	1,363
12	jai alai	682	818	1,091	1,363
13	canoeing, rowing, in competition, or crew or sculling	682	818	1,091	1,363
14	rope jumping, moderate pace, 100-120 skips/min, general, 2 foot skip, plain bounce	670	805	1,073	1,340
15	running, 7.5 mph (8 min/mile)	653	784	1,045	1,306
16	ballroom dancing, competitive, general	642	771	1,027	1,284
17	windsurfing or kitesurfing, crossing trial	625	750	1,000	1,250
18	martial arts, different types, moderate pace (e.g., judo, jujitsu, karate, kick boxing, tae kwan do, tai-bo, Muay Thai boxing)	585	702	936	1,170
19	swimming, breaststroke, general, training or competition	585	702	936	1,170
20	hockey, ice, competitive	568	682	909	1,136
21	paddleball, competitive	568	682	909	1,136
22	racquetball, competitive	568	682	909	1,136
23	soccer, competitive	568	682	909	1,136
24	track and field (e.g., steeplechase, hurdles)	568	682	909	1,136
25	water polo	568	682	909	1,136
26	running, 6 mph (10 min/mile)	557	668	891	1,113
27	rollerblading, in-line skating, 17.7 km/h (11.0 mph), moderate pace, exercise training	557	668	891	1,113
28	swimming, backstroke, general, training or competition	540	648	864	1,079
29	running, cross country	511	614	818	1,022
30	orienteering	511	614	818	1,022
31	bicycling: BMX	483	580	773	966
32	bicycling: mountain, general	483	580	773	966
33	bicycling, stationary, RPM/Spin bike class	483	580	773	966
34	bench step class, general	483	580	773	966
35	auto racing, open wheel	483	580	773	966
36	rugby, union, team, competitive	471	566	754	943
37	fire fighter, general	454	546	727	909
38	running	454	546	727	1,704
39	running, training, pushing a wheelchair or baby carrier	454	546	727	909
40	basketball, game	454	546	727	909
41	football, competitive	454	546	727	909
42	football, touch, flag, general	454	546	727	909
43	frisbee, ultimate	454	546	727	909
44	handball, team	454	546	727	909
45	hockey, ice, general	454	546	727	909
46	lacrosse	454	546	727	909
47	polo, on horseback	454	546	727	909
48	rock or mountain climbing	454	546	727	909
49	tennis, singles	454	546	727	909
50	volleyball, beach, in sand	454	546	727	909
RANK	ACTIVITY	125 LBS	150 LBS	200 LBS	250 LBS
51	swimming, synchronized	454	546	727	909
52	health club exercise, conditioning classes	443	532	709	886
53	general dancing (e.g., disco, folk, Irish step dancing, line dancing, polka, contra, country)	443	532	709	886
54	shoveling, digging ditches	443	532	709	886
55	basketball, wheelchair	443	532	709	886
56	boxing, sparring	443	532	709	886
57	hockey, field	443	532	709	886
58	bicycling: general	426	512	682	852
59	rollerblading, in-line skating, 14.4 km/h (9.0 mph), recreational pace	426	512	682	852
60	dog sledding, mushing	426	512	682	852
61	aerobic, general	415	498	664	829
62	aerobic, high impact	415	498	664	829
63	squash, general	415	498	664	829
64	tennis, general	415	498	664	829
65	climbing hills with 10 to 20 lb load	415	498	664	829
66	activity promoting video/arcade game (e.g., Exergaming, Dance Dance Revolution), vigorous effort	409	491	654	818
67	bicycling, stationary, general	398	477	636	795
68	jogging, general	398	477	636	795
69	badminton, competitive	398	477	636	795
70	broomball	398	477	636	795
71	kickball	398	477	636	795
72	racquetball, general	398	477	636	795
73	skating, roller	398	477	636	795
74	soccer, casual, general	398	477	636	795
75	wallyball, general	398	477	636	795
76	backpacking	398	477	636	795
77	jet skiing, driving, in water	398	477	636	795
78	skindiving, scuba diving, general	398	477	636	795
79	swimming, sidestroke, general	398	477	636	795
80	skating, ice, general	398	477	636	795
81	skiing, general	398	477	636	795
82	truck driving, loading and unloading truck, tying down load, standing, walking and carrying heavy loads	369	443	591	738
83	basketball, general	369	443	591	738
84	race walking	369	443	591	738
85	rugby, touch, non-competitive	358	430	573	716
86	climbing hills, no load	358	430	573	716
87	resistance training (weight lifting, free weight, nautilus or universal), power lifting or body building, vigorous effort	341	409	545	682
88	slimnastics, jazzercise	341	409	545	682
89	butchering animal, large, vigorous effort	341	409	318	682
90	roofing	341	409	545	682
91	mowing lawn, walk, hand mower	341	409	545	682
92	shoveling snow, by hand	341	409	545	682
93	building road, driving heavy machinery	341	409	545	682
94	jog/walk combination	341	409	545	682
95	cheerleading, gymnastic moves, competitive	341	409	545	682
96	drag racing, pushing or driving a car	341	409	545	682
97	fencing	341	409	545	682
98	paddleball, casual, general	341	409	545	682
99	skateboarding, competitive, vigorous effort	341	409	545	682
100	softball,pitching	341	409	545	682
RANK	ACTIVITY	125 LBS	150 LBS	200 LBS	250 LBS
101	tennis, doubles	341	409	545	682
102	volleyball, competitive, in gymnasium	341	409	545	682
103	wrestling (one match = 5 minutes)	341	409	545	682
104	track and field (e.g., high jump, long jump, triple jump, javelin, pole vault)	341	409	545	682
105	walking, backwards, 3.5 mph, level	341	409	545	682
106	skiing, water or wakeboarding	341	409	545	682
107	paddle boarding, standing	341	409	545	682
108	swimming, leisurely, not lap swimming, general	341	409	545	682
109	children's games, adults playing (e.g., hopscotch, 4-square, dodgeball, playground apparatus, t-ball, tetherball, marbles, arcade games), moderate effort	329	396	527	659
110	swimming laps, freestyle, front crawl, slow, light or moderate effort	329	396	527	659
111	health club exercise, general	312	375	500	625
112	coal mining, general	312	375	500	625
113	badminton, social singles and doubles, general	312	375	500	625
114	boxing, punching bag	312	375	500	625
115	horseback riding, general	312	375	500	625
116	rodeo sports, general, moderate effort	312	375	500	625
117	water aerobics, water calisthenics, water exercise	301	361	482	602
118	steel mill, moderate effort (e.g., fettling, forging, tipping molds)	301	361	482	602
119	martial arts, different types, slower pace, novice performers, practice	301	361	482	602
120	snow shoeing, moderate effort	301	361	482	602
121	unicycling	284	341	455	568
122	army type obstacle course exercise, boot camp training program	284	341	455	568
123	Elliptical trainer, moderate effort	284	341	455	568
124	resistance (weight) training, squats , slow or explosive effort	284	341	455	568
125	ballet, modern, or jazz, general, rehearsal or class	284	341	455	568
126	aerobic, low impact	284	341	455	568
127	hunting, general	284	341	455	568
128	cleaning gutters	284	341	455	568
129	rock climbing, rappelling	284	341	455	568
130	skateboarding, general, moderate effort	284	341	455	568
131	softball or baseball, fast or slow pitch, general	284	341	455	568
132	kayaking, moderate effort	284	341	455	568
133	snorkeling	284	341	455	568
134	surfing, body or board, competitive	284	341	455	568
135	whitewater rafting, kayaking, or canoeing	284	341	455	568
136	dancing: tap	273	327	436	545
137	farming, moderate effort (e.g., feeding animals, chasing cattle by walking and/or horseback, spreading manure, harvesting crops)	273	327	436	545
138	cricket, batting, bowling, fielding	273	327	436	545
139	ethnic or cultural dancing (e.g., Greek, Middle Eastern, hula, salsa, merengue, bamba y plena, flamenco, belly, and swing)	256	307	409	511
140	home repair, general, moderate effort	256	307	409	511
141	painting	256	307	409	511
142	chopping wood, splitting logs, moderate effort	256	307	409	511
143	manual or unskilled labor, general, moderate effort	256	307	409	511
144	orange grove work, picking fruit	256	307	409	511
145	trampoline, competitive	256	307	409	511
146	sailing, in competition	256	307	409	511
147	carpentry, general, moderate effort	244	293	391	488
148	archery, non-hunting	244	293	391	488
149	horse chores, feeding, watering, cleaning stalls, implied walking and lifting loads	244	293	391	488
150	golf, carrying a bag	227	273	361	454
RANK	ACTIVITY	125 LBS	150 LBS	200 LBS	250 LBS
151	bicycling: <10 mph, leisure, to work or for pleasure	227	273	364	454
152	video exercise workouts, TV conditioning programs (e.g., cardio-resistance), moderate effort	227	273	364	454
153	yoga, power	227	273	364	454
154	elder care, disabled adult, bathing, dressing, moving into and out of bed, only active periods	227	273	364	454
155	automobile body work	227	273	364	454
156	raking lawn	227	273	364	454
157	yard work, general, moderate effort	227	273	364	454
158	marching band, baton twirling, walking, moderate pace, general	227	273	364	454
159	bakery, general, moderate effort	227	273	364	454
160	chambermaid, hotel housekeeper, making bed, cleaning bathroom, pushing cart	227	273	364	454
161	massage therapist, standing	227	273	364	454
162	police, making an arrest, standing	227	273	364	454
163	curling	227	273	364	454
164	hacky sack	227	273	364	454
165	high ropes course, multiple elements	227	273	364	454
166	juggling	227	273	364	454
167	moto-cross, off-road motor sports, all-terrain vehicle, general	227	273	364	454
168	softball, practice	227	273	364	454
169	table tennis, ping pong	227	273	364	454
170	track and field (e.g., shot, discus, hammer throw)	227	273	364	454
171	paddle boat	227	273	364	454
172	golf, using a pushcart	222	266	359	442
173	activity promoting video game (e.g., Wii Fit), moderate effort (e.g., aerobic, resistance)	216	259	345	432
174	calisthenics (e.g., push ups, sit ups, pull-ups, lunges), moderate effort	216	259	345	432
175	home exercise, general	216	259	345	432
176	gardening, general, moderate effort	216	259	345	432
177	custodial work, moderate effort (e.g., electric buffer, feathering arena floors, mopping, taking out trash, vacuuming)	216	259	345	432
178	gymnastics, general	216	259	345	432
179	fishing, general	199	239	318	398
180	cooking or food preparation, moderate effort	199	239	318	398
181	scrubbing floors, on hands and knees, scrubbing bathroom, bathtub, moderate effort	199	239	318	398
182	standing, bathing dog	199	239	318	398
183	hang gliding	199	239	318	398
184	skydiving, base jumping, bungee jumping	199	239	318	398
185	trampoline, recreational	199	239	318	398
186	walking for pleasure	199	239	318	398
187	canoeing, rowing, for pleasure, general	199	239	318	398
188	golf, using a caddy	193	232	307	386
189	cleaning, sweeping carpet or floors, general	187	225	300	375
190	kitchen activity, general, (e.g., cooking, washing dishes, cleaning up), moderate effort	187	225	300	375
191	vacuuming, general, moderate effort	187	225	300	375
192	making bed, changing linens	187	225	300	375
193	croquet	187	225	300	375
194	lawn bowling, bocce ball, outdoor	187	225	300	375
195	sports spectator, very excited, emotional, physically moving	187	225	300	375
196	cleaning windows, washing windows, general	182	218	291	364
197	pilates, general	170	205	273	341
198	ballroom, slow (e.g., waltz, foxtrot, slow dancing, samba, tango, 19th century dance, mambo, cha cha)	170	205	273	341
199	butchering animals, small	170	205	273	341
200	walking and carrying small child, child weighing 15 lbs or more	170	205	209	341
RANK	ACTIVITY	125 LBS	150 LBS	200 LBS	250 LBS
201	carpentry, general, workshop	170	205	273	341
202	plumbing, general	170	205	273	341
203	guitar, rock and roll band, standing	170	205	273	341
204	airline flight attendant	170	205	273	341
205	kitchen maid	170	205	273	341
206	standing tasks, light effort (e.g., bartending, store clerk, assembling, filing, duplicating, librarian, putting up a Christmas tree, standing and talking at work, changing clothes when teaching physical education, standing)	170	205	273	341
207	bowling	170	205	273	341
208	frisbee playing, general	170	205	273	341
209	shuffleboard	170	205	273	341
210	tai chi, qi gong, general	170	205	273	341
211	volleyball, non-competitive, 6-9 member team, general	170	205	273	341
212	walking the dog	170	205	273	341
213	diving, springboard or platform	170	205	273	341
214	sailing, boat and board sailing, windsurfing, ice sailing, general	170	205	273	341
215	surfing, body or board, general	170	205	273	341
216	water volleyball	170	205	273	341
217	sexual activity: active, vigorous effort	159	191	255	318
218	yoga, Hatha	142	171	227	284
219	pistol shooting or trap shooting, standing	142	171	227	284
220	child care, infant, general	142	171	227	284
221	mowing lawn, riding mower	142	171	227	284
222	operating snow blower, walking	142	171	227	284
223	cook, chef	142	171	227	284
224	operating heavy duty equipment, automated, not driving	142	171	227	284
225	police, driving a squad car, sitting	142	171	227	284
226	tailoring, general	142	171	227	284
227	billiards	142	171	227	284
228	darts, wall or lawn	142	171	227	284
229	football or baseball, playing catch	142	171	227	284
230	stretching, mild	131	157	209	261
231	walking and carrying small child, child weighing less than 15 lbs	131	157	209	261
232	elder care, disabled adult, feeding, combing hair, light effort, only active periods	131	157	209	261
233	postal carrier, walking to deliver mail	131	157	209	261
234	golf, riding in cart	125	150	206	250
235	breastfeeding, sitting or reclining	114	136	318	227
236	washing and waxing car	114	136	182	227
237	playing musical instruments, general	114	136	182	227
238	ironing	102	123	164	204
239	engineer (e.g., mechanical or electrical)	102	123	164	204
240	hairstylist (e.g., plaiting hair, manicure, make-up artist)	102	123	164	204
241	sexual activity: general, moderate effort	102	123	164	148
242	horse cart, driving, standing or sitting	102	123	164	204
243	sitting, listening to music (not talking or reading) or watching a movie in a theater	85	102	136	170
244	sitting tasks, light effort (e.g., office work, chemistry lab work, computer work, light assembly repair, watch repair, reading, desk work)	85	102	136	170
245	knitting, sewing, light effort, wrapping presents, sitting	74	89	300	148
246	typing, electric, manual or computer	74	89	118	148
247	sexual activity: passive, light effort, kissing, hugging	74	89	118	148
248	lying quietly and watching television	57	68	91	114
249	sleeping	57	68	86	114
250	meditating	57	68	91	114
RANK	ACTIVITY	125 LBS	150 LBS	200 LBS	250 LBS

Methodology

The amount of calories burned during one hour was based on a specific activity's metabolic equivalent of task (MET). Using an activity's MET, the amount of calories burned can be calculated by multiplying a person's weight in kilograms (weight in lbs/2.2) by MET. For example, the MET for playing golf while carrying a bag is 4.0. A person who weighs 125 lbs can convert their weight to kg by dividing 125 lbs by 2.2, which equals 56.8 kg. They would then multiply 56.8 kg by golf's MET of 4.0 to determine that they burn 227 calories an hour while carrying clubs (56.8 kg x 4.0 MET = 227 calories/hour). In the above chart, the calories burned for golf were based on MET values from Neil Wolkodoff's "An Exercise in Futility," which was published in the Apr. 2009 issue of Colorado Avid Golfer. The METs for the other activities come from the 2011 Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise study "2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A Second Update of Codes and MET Values," by BE Ainsworth, WL Haskell, SD Hermann, N Meckes et al. We narrowed the study's list of 800+ activities down to 250 based on popularity or novelty of activity.

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