Playing golf has evolved during the last century. Professional players Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy take a professional approach to food. Choosing the correct diet will impact your golf game in many ways. Reportedly, the number of Americans eating enough vegetables is ten percent. Only twelve percent eat enough fruit to reach recommended daily levels. Choosing the right foods before, during, and after a round of golf can impact your performance.
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Avoid too Much Alcohol
Heading out for a round of golf is often a time to relax and enjoy ourselves. However, spending a weekend at a golf resort opens up a range of temptations for golfers. Alcohol consumption is one of the issues facing golfers after completing a round. It can impact your coordination and decision-making skills.
The consumption of alcohol within 24 hours of a round will leave you feeling fatigued and bloated. In addition, drinking the night before your morning tee time will usually hurt your score.
Drink Water Instead of Alcohol
If you aim to lower your score, you should be looking to drink water before, during, and after your round. Water gives you more significant levels of concentration and increases muscle strength. Therefore, water is an important part of any diet for professional and recreational golfers.
Don’t Choose Citrus Fruits
On the course, you are often told to turn to fruits and vegetables for long-term energy. Citrus fruits, apples, and oranges are often chosen as tasty snacks. Citrus fruits are acidic and difficult for the body to process. Some golfers have no problems processing acidic fruits. Gas and a bloated feeling will impact the game of some golfers.
Choose Bananas and Apples
Unlike citrus fruits, apples and bananas are easy to digest. Therefore, these fruits are convenient to store in your sunday golf bag. Combine apples and bananas with berries for a healthy snack.
Look Away From Processed Foods
Heavy and processed foods are among the worst to eat for golfers. Your golf game will suffer if you consume fatty, processed foods. The occasional hot dog on the course can take away hunger pains. You should limit the number of processed foods you consume during a round of golf. Pancakes for breakfast and greasy burgers are examples of processed foods.
Choose Healthier Options
Whole foods have become the norm for professional golfers to get fit. Oily fish and lean proteins can replace fried breakfasts and lunchtime burgers. Instead of choosing lunch from a fast food chain, eat like a professional golfer every day. A peanut butter sandwich adds energy to your diet. The lack of fiber is a problem you need to track because of the long-term energy release.
Avoid Chips and Candy
It is easy to slide into a habit of choosing an easy snack of chips and candy on the course. The lack of fiber and the processed nature of chips and candy provides a short-term boost of energy. However, if you are taking the time to explore the best drills for your game, you need to eat well. Adding speed with the power plane drill will have little effect if you are filling your body with bad food.
Choose Healthy Snacks
Look in the golf bag of professional golfers, and you will find nuts and fruit for on-course snacks. Making trail mix from your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and berries is a good option for a mid-round snack. In addition, protein shakes and bars are good options for fighting hunger pains during your round. Another option is to eat beef jerky. Choose a locally-manufactured jerky that is less processed than the major corporate brands. Added concentration and energy levels will benefit your game.
The Bottom Line
Like every sport, golf requires a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle. The food you consume will impact your game. A healthy diet will give you more stamina and higher levels of concentration.