I think they count steps with an accelerometer. That basically means jolts to the body when a foot hits the ground.

So I think the watch may have counted practice swings and actual swings.

I reread and it was in the bag. So each time a club goes in and out: a jolt. Each time bag is moved: a jolt. Each time cart bounces: a jolt because there is little or no cushioning in the bag.

I track my steps at work and there are times I run a few steps short of my goal, so I’ll stick my phone in my pocket around the house after work to keep tracking. I’m sure the watch works the same way, simply by locating your change in position. It does not seem to count walking up inclines as climbing steps, which kind of pisses me off. Me and my bum knee earned those extra points!

I’ve got no cartilage left in the left knee, so it’s a one-step-at-a-time deal, which should register. I avoid stairs as much as possible but when walking up wheelchair ramps or in the parking garage, even big slopes don’t count as stairs.

If I’m a few steps short of my daily goal, I can just twist left and right in my swivel chair a few times before bed and easily get those last few steps to register, so there’s no jolt to it. It’s simply using the GPS to track my position.

It’s just personal preference as a matter of safety while using power equipment. I don’t wear rings either for the same reason. If I ever give up working with my hands using bitey and pinchy and burny things, I may give it a try. Still no ring. I’m worse than a kid with one of those fidget-spinner things that were a fad around a decade ago.

The accelerometers in your phone may have taken the motion of the golf cart as walking. The suspension of a golf cart isn’t really tuned for the most comfy of rides.

I racked up 7000 steps before I figured it out, too!

I think it has to do with speed of movement. It counts as steps my jump rope routine as well. So maybe some combo of movement or transverse speed. Riding a bicycle gets less steps than mowing the lawn. No matter what even if we are walking together my wife has a third to a half more steps than I have. We’re close enough in height that stride length isn’t too different