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Whether you’re preparing for your first-ever Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike, or your 15th, you’re probably looking to maximize your impact and fun throughout the entire process. For that reason, I’ve put together a few learnings from my 2023 hikes that I hope will help my fellow hikers enjoy sinking that final putt as much as their first one.
If you're not familiar with Youth on Course, it's a non-profit based on California's Monterey Peninsula that allows junior golfers to pay just $5 to play at member courses. Youth on Course has subsidized millions of rounds for hundreds of thousands of boys and girls aged 6-18 in all 50 states, Canada and Australia. Participants is giving back to the game in the most profound way, helping young golfers fall in love with the game just like they have.
Last year, I did my first-ever 100 Hole Hike at “The Park” at Cascade Hills Country Club in Grand Rapids, Mich. “The Park” was a complete joyride, with template greens welcoming every approach. My favorites included the Redan, Punchbowl and Biarritz. Frankly, I could’ve played the Biarritz on the 8th hole 100 times in a row. My hike supporters raised $1,045 for Youth on Course and had me eager to do it all over, so I'm signed up to hike again at Cascade Hills this fall. You can donate to my hike page here.
My second hike of 2023 (pictured above) was at Winter Park 9, and hosted by our incredible team at NBC Sports Next. Hoofing it around with Drake Dunaway of GolfPass was a ton of fun and revealed quite a few small-world moments, too. Winter Park 9 is, in my opinion, one of the great walks in golf. Hiking it eleven times in one day was incredibly special, and I can’t wait to get back to the Orlando-area gem.
Inspired to hike for a good cause?
The 100 Hole Hike offers sites around the country where any golfer can participate. There are dozens of hikes still available to join in California, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, Missouri, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Ohio and Canada. You can even set up your own hike. To register, learn more about Youth on Course or donate, click here.
Below are my best practices to prepare and thrive on a 100 Hole Hike:
PREPARING FOR YOUR 100-HOLE HIKE
Take advantage of the walking rate
A surefire way to enjoy your 100 Hole Hike is to be comfortable—well—hiking. Getting your feet, legs, core and lower back acclimated to hoofing it and carrying your bag is bar-none the best preparation you can do for your big day. Using a push-cart is great, too! Whatever you can do to prepare your feet and joints for a long, sometimes undulating walk on different surfaces will pay major dividends on hike day.
Want to make even bigger gains in this area? Choose to walk as often as you can, even when you can’t make it to the course. I enjoy running and cycling, and have signed up for races that fall on dates after my hikes, so that I have added incentive to keep the legs going throughout the season.
Don’t let shoes be an issue
This goes for preparation and for your hike day: find shoes that provide a comfortable ride, are waterproof (or resistant) and can carry you for 100 holes. I came prepared to my first hike with two pairs of golf shoes (both spikeless) and was thrilled to make it through the day with my starting pair, despite light showers early in the hike and very damp rough.
Find a pair that give your feet joy, test them sufficiently in preparation rounds, and take whatever waterproofing steps you desire. I used the same pair of Nike Air Max 1 ’86 OG for both my September hike and my November hike. They offered great support all day, and I finished without a single blister. I’d find a similarly sporty ride and avoid a more formal golf shoe, especially saddle shoes if they’re not broken in.
COMPLETING YOUR HIKE
Leave the Tour bag in the garage
Bring the essentials and nothing else: This is true for your hike, but also for lead-up rounds, too. If you don’t need a dozen balls, don’t add them to the bag. Your 45 favorite commemorative ball-markers? Leave them at home, too. The same should be said for your club selection, but I’ll cover that next. I would recommend outfitting your bag with the following:
- A few key clubs (more on that later)
- Towel for cleaning grooves
- Ball-mark repair tool (non-negotiable)
- Enough golf balls to get you back to the turnaround (starting hole)
- Water bottle/hydration
- Snacks/nutrition to get you back to turnaround (starting hole)
- Extra socks
- Basic club rain cover and an extra layer if the weather turns sour
Consider your club selection carefully
This is my favorite tip and also my favorite challenge of a 100 Hole Hike. Select clubs that are going to carry you through a long, fun day of golf—one that will demand comfort “between clubs” and creative shot-making, but also allow you to be efficient with your swing power (aka energy).
My go-to setup, regardless of the hike you put in front of me, is to bring a 5 iron, 8 iron, 50- and 58-degree wedges and a putter. If your hike is tipped out at 7,300 yards and you’re forced to bring driver, I wish you the best of luck. Otherwise, a setup similar to mine should cover most of your shot-making demands and, most importantly, be a very light load to carry. I double down on going lightweight by carrying a “Sunday Bag”, which is so light that I forget it’s on my shoulder sometimes.
Playing holes versus scoring them
Pace of play is critical in a 100 Hole Hike, not only to ensure you finish before dark but that you have enough energy to carry you across the finish line. I’ve seen a variety of approaches to actually playing golf in my hikes, and there is a winning formula.
- Ditch the practice swings and extra movement—this will only sap your energy for the real thing
- Line up/read putts only when they matter—for many, this means birdies or better, especially if you have scoring pledges from your donors
- Play ready-golf with playing partners—so long as it’s safe to swing and hit the shot while sharing the hole. Don’t wait for each other to play a shot
- Eat and hydrate while you walk to the next tee or shot
I’m sure you’ll find other ways to speed up play and maximize fun—so long as you minimize the time on your feet and energy expended getting the ball in the hole. You’re putting the finish line in your sights.
Nutrition and hydration make or break a hike
Most hikes have a supporter or two on-hand to help you get through the day, and they may provide a few snacks and hydration options. Whether it’s provided or you need to bring it along yourself, it’s paramount that you hydrate and snack consistently throughout your hike. Water is the only must-have, but I’d also recommend some of your favorite snacks to keep the blood sugar regulated.
I started my hike day with a substantial breakfast, lots of coffee and a good amount of water. Once the golf started, I drank about 24-ounces of water each nine holes, at a minimum. For snacking, I had an assortment of granola bars, protein bars, Goldfish and fruit snack gummies. As with any endurance activity, once you feel the energy dipping, it’s probably time to start snacking.
This year I’ll power my hikes with the trusty PB&J, granola bars, GU Energy Gels and a combination of water and Gatorade Rapid Rehydration.
Enjoy your big day
The most important aspect of your hike is celebrating your impact for Youth on Course with your fellow hikers. It’s so rewarding to challenge yourself with a fundraising goal and a big test of endurance, but even more so do to it through the game of golf. Between the sock changes, hydration, birdie putts and big laughs with your fellow hikers, take a moment to reflect on just how far you’ve come. I’ll bet you won’t have completed this hike before you’re planning your next one.
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