
When it comes to calorie-burning, golf and basketball offer very different profiles. Golf is a low-intensity sport where the calorie expenditure depends on the amount of walking and the weight of the gear carried. On the other hand, basketball is a high-intensity sport with near-constant movement, including jumping, squatting, and physical contact with opponents. While the number of calories burned in an hour of golf ranges from 1240 to 1440, an hour of full-court basketball can burn up to 747 calories. The actual number of calories burned in either sport is influenced by various factors, including age, gender, weight, muscle density, and intensity of play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories burned in an hour of basketball | 635-747 |
| Calories burned in an hour of golf | 1240 |
| Calories burned in an hour of running | 700 |
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What You'll Learn
- Calories burned by golfers: 1,240-1,440 per 18 holes
- Calories burned by basketball players: 635-747 per hour
- Calories burned depend on weight, height, age, gender, and intensity
- Golfers can burn more calories if they carry their own bags
- Basketball involves jumping, squatting, and physical jostling, increasing calorie burn

Calories burned by golfers: 1,240-1,440 per 18 holes
Walking an 18-hole round of golf typically burns between 700 and 1440 calories, depending on various factors. This is supported by a 2010 study cited by The New York Times, which found that walking an 18-hole round of golf burns around 1400 calories. This is comparable to two hours of swimming or cycling on a stationary bike.
Walking for golf involves covering a distance of between 8 and 10 kilometers, depending on the course and the golfer's performance. The number of calories burned can vary depending on the course layout and the golfer's performance. For example, golfers who play on more spaced-out or hilly courses will likely burn more calories than those on compact, flatter courses. Additionally, golfers who spend more time searching for balls or walking from one side of the fairway to the other will also burn more calories.
The benefit of walking during a round of golf is not just limited to calorie-burning. Walking has numerous health benefits, including the prevention and management of heart disease and high blood pressure. It also strengthens bones, muscles, and the immune system, while reducing stress and tension.
While golf can be a great form of exercise, it is important to note that the number of calories burned should not be the sole indicator of its health benefits. Other factors, such as the mental and social aspects of the game, also contribute to its overall positive impact on well-being. Therefore, while golfers may burn a significant number of calories during an 18-hole round, it is important to maintain a balanced perspective on the relationship between energy expenditure and food choices, as highlighted by Golf Monthly.
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Calories burned by basketball players: 635-747 per hour
The number of calories burned while playing basketball depends on several factors, including the type of game, duration, and individual characteristics such as weight and metabolism.
Let's focus on the calorie expenditure for a full hour of basketball. According to sources, a person weighing around 160 pounds can burn about 600 calories per hour while playing basketball. This is more than what is typically burned during activities like cycling or jogging. It's worth noting that this calorie burn is equivalent to running 6 miles or cycling 12 miles.
Now, let's break down the calorie burn for different types of basketball activities. Just shooting hoops can burn around 300 calories per hour. If you step up to a half-court game, you'll burn approximately 558 calories per hour. Finally, a full-court basketball game will push you to burn around 635 to 747 calories per hour.
It's important to remember that individual results may vary. Factors such as duration of play, intensity, and individual metabolism can influence the actual number of calories burned. Additionally, playing basketball not only helps with immediate calorie burn but also contributes to building muscle mass due to its full-body nature. This increased muscle mass further enhances your body's ability to burn more calories, even at rest.
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Calories burned depend on weight, height, age, gender, and intensity
The number of calories burned during physical activity depends on several factors, including weight, height, age, gender, and intensity of the workout.
Weight plays a significant role in calorie burning. Heavier individuals tend to burn more calories than lighter individuals, even when performing the same workout. This is because the body requires more energy to move a larger mass, resulting in a higher calorie expenditure.
Height also influences calorie burning. Taller individuals tend to burn fewer calories at any given walking speed compared to shorter people. This is because taller people have longer strides, which reduces the energy required to cover the same distance.
Age is another factor that affects calorie burning. As people age, their muscle mass tends to decrease, leading to a lower metabolic rate and a reduction in calorie burning. Older adults may need to exert more effort or engage in specific types of exercises to maintain their calorie burning capacity.
Gender differences also play a role in calorie burning. On average, men tend to burn more calories than women during physical activity due to higher muscle mass and lower body fat percentages. However, it is important to note that these differences are based on averages and generalities, and individual variations exist.
The intensity of a workout is a crucial factor in determining calorie burning. High-intensity exercises, such as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), can significantly increase calorie burning compared to low-intensity workouts. During high-intensity exercises, the body works at a higher capacity, resulting in increased energy expenditure and calorie burn.
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Golfers can burn more calories if they carry their own bags
Golfers often assume that carrying their bag around the course will burn more calories than using a trolley or letting an electric trolley take the strain. However, according to an independent study by Professor Graeme Close of Liverpool Moores University, this is not the case. The study, which focused on 16 elite college golfers, found that the health benefits were almost identical regardless of how the clubs were transported.
That said, another factor to consider is the distance walked during a round of golf, which is significantly impacted by whether one walks or uses a golf cart. Walking the course typically covers about five miles, whereas using a cart reduces this to approximately one mile. As a result, walking the course will generally burn more calories than using a cart, regardless of whether one carries their clubs or uses a trolley.
While carrying a golf bag may not significantly increase the number of calories burned compared to using a trolley, it can still provide some additional benefits. For example, some golfers find that carrying their clubs allows them to walk to their ball quicker, especially when it's in the rough. Additionally, carrying one's bag can be good exercise, contributing to the overall health benefits of the game.
It is worth noting that the perception of effort when carrying a bag is higher, even though it may not burn significantly more calories. This means that golfers may feel they are working harder and burning more calories when carrying their bag, even if the actual calorie burn is similar to using a trolley. Ultimately, the decision to carry one's bag or use a trolley depends on personal preference, as both options can provide similar health benefits.
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Basketball involves jumping, squatting, and physical jostling, increasing calorie burn
Basketball is a dynamic sport that involves a lot of movement, including jumping, squatting, and physical jostling with opponents. All these actions require energy and contribute to a significant calorie burn.
The exact number of calories burned during a basketball game can vary depending on several factors, including the intensity of the game, duration of play, and individual factors such as age, gender, weight, and muscle density. However, estimates suggest that a full-court basketball game can burn approximately 747 calories in an hour. This is significantly higher than the number of calories burned during a low-impact activity like using an elliptical machine, which typically burns around 400 calories in 30 minutes.
The dynamic and varied nature of basketball contributes to its calorie-burning potential. Unlike sports like golf, where players have the option of minimizing physical exertion by having someone carry their bags, basketball involves constant movement and quick direction changes. The act of running up and down the court, jumping for boards and shots, and squatting for defence all engage multiple muscle groups and increase energy expenditure.
Additionally, the physical jostling and competitive nature of basketball further elevate the intensity of the workout. The adrenaline rush associated with competing against opponents or teammates can increase calorie burn. The defensive intensity, frequency of substitutions, and style of play can also impact the overall calorie expenditure during a basketball game.
Overall, basketball's combination of jumping, squatting, and physical interaction with other players creates a highly effective calorie-burning workout. The sport's dynamic nature, along with the varied movements and intensity, make it an excellent choice for those seeking to increase their energy expenditure and improve their fitness levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf burns around 1,240 calories over 18 holes, whereas basketball burns around 635-747 calories per hour, depending on intensity. Therefore, golf burns more calories than basketball.
Yes, carrying your golf bag and walking the course burns more calories than riding in a golf cart. The number of calories burned walking an 18-hole golf course is estimated to be 1,440, whereas riding in a golf cart burns around 1,240 calories.
Yes, the intensity of playing basketball impacts the number of calories burned. Factors such as bodyweight, defensive intensity, number of breaks, frequency of substitutions, adrenaline levels, and style of play can affect the number of calories burned.
The calorie burn of basketball is higher than that of soccer, which burns around 900 calories per hour, and tennis, which burns around 600 calories per hour. However, it is lower than the calorie burn of baseball, which is estimated to be around 1,050 calories per game.











































