Golf and Nutrition
Nutrition on the golf course is one of the most neglected aspects of golf fitness, and yet it can have the biggest influence on how the body functions on the golf course. Here are some of the challenges we face:
- Halfway houses usually promote bad nutrition - the pies & fries syndrome!
- Duration of rounds – at least 5 hours these days!
- Over-indulgence at the best hole on the course – the 19th hole!
- Lack of drinking water on most courses.
Ok, so if nutrition at courses is less than ideal, how will this affect my golf?
- Poor nutrition leads to blood sugar spikes or troughs, which affect concentration, which in turn affects club selection and distance/depth perception.
- Lack of proper hydration causes the body to fatigue.
- Over-eating at halfway house promotes lethargy.
What are the guidelines then to take healthy nutrition to the golf course?
- Eat a balanced meal containing protein, carbohydrates and natural fats, before the round.
- Eat a small meal at halfway, like 1 egg on toast or fruit salad and yogurt.
- Maintain blood sugar with low-fat snacks like nuts or fruit holes 5-6 and 14-15.
- Avoid sugary drinks, chocolates and sweets during the round.
- Remember that 50% of our daily intake of water should happen on the course.
- Daily intake should be 1 liter of water per 30kg body weight.
- Eg: A 90kg man therefore needs to drink 3L daily, which adds up to at least one 500ml bottle of water every 6 holes
If you are serious about your golf, and experience the frustration of blowing a potentially great round because of “mental” errors, perhaps it is time to consider your nutrition during a round.
For more information regarding nutrition for golf, send an email to ianc@gpge.co.za
