Here' s the "no duh" story of the day: A new research study has concluded that being in shape can help you play better golf. Or rather, that being out of shape can cost you strokes.

Does walking the course help you play better golf? Many traditionalists argue that it does. I'm not necessarily a traditionalist (I love tradition when the tradition in question is a good one; otherwise, bring on the new), but everything else being equal, walking rather than riding in a cart can help keep your head in the game, can help with your rhythm, can help you see things on the course better and therefore, maybe, make better choices.

But not if you're a tub of goo. If you're a tub of goo, walking rather than riding is probably just going to wear you out, which is going to start killing your swing. And that's exactly what the new study concluded:

Researchers studied seven recreational golfers, who typically average a score between 80 and 95, who walked while carrying a weighted golf bag during a simulated golf game. The one female and six male golfers walked 6 miles in total in 1-mile increments. Before the first mile, and after each subsequent mile, each player hit 20 tee shots, totaling 140 tee shots for the round.

Researchers found that over time, the golfers were less able to properly transfer weight to their front leg on a swing, resulting in less club head velocity that could affect how far the ball would travel. The study also showed that over time, the angles of the front knee and ankle at the top the swing changed, a development that could affect a shot's accuracy.

Don't let that stop you from walking, though. In fact, walk more. Use your golf game to help you get into better shape. And if you're not in good enough shape now to walk 18 holes comfortably, then walk the front nine and ride the back. If you're playing with partners who insist on a cart, then walk one hole and ride the next, walk and then ride.

Ease into it, improve your conditioning, play better golf in the long run.