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Improve your game
Eat right
By ED TRAVIS
Eat right
By ED TRAVIS
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Both make you lose fluids and become dehydrated so
don’t drink them if you want to play your best.
What about sports drinks? They aren’t any better
keeping you hydrated than water but since they taste
better you probably will drink more which is very good.
don’t drink them if you want to play your best.
What about sports drinks? They aren’t any better
keeping you hydrated than water but since they taste
better you probably will drink more which is very good.
High caffeine energy boosting drinks are not a good
idea since you have to deal with the effects of the
caffeine and the quantity of liquid in those small
bottles is minimal.
If you want to perform at your peak fast food is out and
so is skipping meals. Both are a sure way to limit your
performance. Ideally you want what you eat to release
energy slowly and steadily so don’t skip a healthy
breakfast and pass up the drive-thru on the way to the
course. Typically high starch foods (white bread,
potatoes) and sugary foods will hurt long term release
of energy rather than enhance it so avoid heavy meals
before the round. Instead eat protein and carbohydrate
rich foods before you play washed down with lots of
water.
On the course don’t eat high sugar, high fat snacks
such as candy bars and chips and for sure skip that
hot dog at the turn. Dried fruit and even packaged
snack crackers are much better for your game. Try
eating a snack two or three times during the round or
every hour to two hours to maintain your energy level
and concentration.
There an almost overwhelming variety of energy bars
on the market and you must read the labels carefully.
Buy ones that have more carbohydrate content than fat
or protein. Lastly, sports gels and pills are good
sources of energy. They are easy to carry and some
give a quick boost just when you need it.
Since golf is a sport requiring a high skill level, eating
and drinking properly will help you maximize those
skills, shoot lower scores and have more fun.
idea since you have to deal with the effects of the
caffeine and the quantity of liquid in those small
bottles is minimal.
If you want to perform at your peak fast food is out and
so is skipping meals. Both are a sure way to limit your
performance. Ideally you want what you eat to release
energy slowly and steadily so don’t skip a healthy
breakfast and pass up the drive-thru on the way to the
course. Typically high starch foods (white bread,
potatoes) and sugary foods will hurt long term release
of energy rather than enhance it so avoid heavy meals
before the round. Instead eat protein and carbohydrate
rich foods before you play washed down with lots of
water.
On the course don’t eat high sugar, high fat snacks
such as candy bars and chips and for sure skip that
hot dog at the turn. Dried fruit and even packaged
snack crackers are much better for your game. Try
eating a snack two or three times during the round or
every hour to two hours to maintain your energy level
and concentration.
There an almost overwhelming variety of energy bars
on the market and you must read the labels carefully.
Buy ones that have more carbohydrate content than fat
or protein. Lastly, sports gels and pills are good
sources of energy. They are easy to carry and some
give a quick boost just when you need it.
Since golf is a sport requiring a high skill level, eating
and drinking properly will help you maximize those
skills, shoot lower scores and have more fun.
What you eat and drink won’t instantly give you 300-
yard drives or the ability to sink every 3-footer but can
at least give you the chance to perform your best. In
fact eating right may be the key to pushing your game
to a new level; just ask the professionals on the PGA
Tour and LPGA Tour, they know nutrition is important.
The fact is any golfer can help their game by keeping a
few simple nutrition principles in mind to increase
both energy and performance.
First and most important idea is to drink lots of fluids.
Sure, sure, you’ve heard that a million times but it’s
true. Your body chemistry gets out of balance fairly
quickly particularly on hot days without enough fluid.
This can cause you to feel tired or as though you’ve
“run out of gas” in the middle of the back nine not to
mention causing a loss of concentration (and maybe
other effects including cramps and nausea). Always
drink lots of fluids before you tee off and in the
summertime think in terms of 12-ounces every four
holes.
And remember, if all of a sudden you realize you’re
thirsty, you are all ready well on the road to being
dehydrated.
Beer and coffee unfortunately aren’t among the fluids
that will help keep you hydrated or enhance your
scoring. Aside from the detrimental effects alcohol has
on coordination and judgment and coffee’s tendency
to make putting twitches more pronounced they are
diuretics.
yard drives or the ability to sink every 3-footer but can
at least give you the chance to perform your best. In
fact eating right may be the key to pushing your game
to a new level; just ask the professionals on the PGA
Tour and LPGA Tour, they know nutrition is important.
The fact is any golfer can help their game by keeping a
few simple nutrition principles in mind to increase
both energy and performance.
First and most important idea is to drink lots of fluids.
Sure, sure, you’ve heard that a million times but it’s
true. Your body chemistry gets out of balance fairly
quickly particularly on hot days without enough fluid.
This can cause you to feel tired or as though you’ve
“run out of gas” in the middle of the back nine not to
mention causing a loss of concentration (and maybe
other effects including cramps and nausea). Always
drink lots of fluids before you tee off and in the
summertime think in terms of 12-ounces every four
holes.
And remember, if all of a sudden you realize you’re
thirsty, you are all ready well on the road to being
dehydrated.
Beer and coffee unfortunately aren’t among the fluids
that will help keep you hydrated or enhance your
scoring. Aside from the detrimental effects alcohol has
on coordination and judgment and coffee’s tendency
to make putting twitches more pronounced they are
diuretics.
Many have additional ingredients such as an anti-
inflammatory for minor joint pain, sugar or
carbohydrates for an energy boost and vitamins and
minerals. Fruit juices are OK though they contain lots
of calories. Some soft drinks have sugar and caffeine
but because they do provide a means to keep you
hydrated so aren’t a totally bad choice.
inflammatory for minor joint pain, sugar or
carbohydrates for an energy boost and vitamins and
minerals. Fruit juices are OK though they contain lots
of calories. Some soft drinks have sugar and caffeine
but because they do provide a means to keep you
hydrated so aren’t a totally bad choice.