by Susan Hill
Loss of stamina and endurance toward the end of an eighteen-hole
round of golf happens to many golfers and can often be attributed
to poor nutrition. To keep up the pace and go the distance, there
is no substitute for good nutrition.
Good golf nutrition has many of the same characteristics as good
general nutrition. Foods that are low in fat and contain balanced
portions of lean protein and slow release carbohydrates make the
best choices, and the golfer’s diet should include lots of
these. Lean meat, fish, and poultry are all excellent choices and
should be staples in a high nutrition diet, as should carbohydrates
containing whole wheat sources and green leafy vegetables.
Golfers should avoid starchy foods like potatoes, white breads,
corn, and foods high in sugars. These can serve to make you groggy
and less able to react properly. They will rob you of stamina rather
than enhance it.
Instead of eating a traditional “three meals per day,” golfers
can benefit from learning to eat several small meals over the course
of the day. This process helps to train the body to take in energy
in small doses and use that energy more efficiently.
Golfers need to drink lots of water. Anywhere from eight to ten
glasses per day is optimal, and more than that may be necessary
when playing – especially during the summer or in places
with an exceedingly warm climate. Phoenix and Las Vegas, for example,
are two of the most popular cities in the US for golf and they
have two of the most unforgiving summer climates. Hydration is
very important.
Two things to stay away from are caffeine and alcohol. Both can
adversely affect your play. Caffeine over-stimulates your muscles
and increases your heart rate. It makes it difficult to concentrate
and can cause you to play with less elements of control. Alcoholic
beverages, of course, can significantly reduce your coordination,
even in small doses. It’s best not to drink any alcohol before
or during play unless you don’t mind the compromise in performance.
Use these simple tips to gain a competitive advantage over your
foursome while preserving your energy and increasing your stamina
and endurance. Keep your nutrition sound and you’ll reap
a lifetime of benefits.
Susan Hill is a CHEK Golf Biomechanic and President of FitnessforGolf.com,
a private, member’s only, online golf fitness website
dedicated to the improvement of golfers worldwide. For more
information on her golf products and services, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
