Last updated on: 5/22/2012 | Author: ProCon.org

Calories Burned during 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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