Having a great game on the greens doesn’t just come from the gear that is used and all the time and effort that was put into practice. Something that most competitors will overlook might be the make or break of your golf game. That something is none other than your nutrition on the golf course. In today’s tip Tuesday, we will be providing optimal golf nutrition tips for pre-round fuel, on-course eating, and post round recovery!
Pre Round Consumption
It is extremely important to get the proper nutrition before your rounds of golf. Ideally, one should get their meal 2-3 hours before the scheduled tee time according to Golfzon Leadbetter. In order not to be sluggish on the course, try to steer clear of the extra fatty meals that might weigh you down and hinder your game of golf. Instead, focus on eating a well balanced meal with a leaner protein. An example might look something like chicken breast, fish, eggs, or turkey. It is also important to have energy on the course which will come from the type of carbohydrates you will eat beforehand. Some great examples to have in your pre golf meal include rice, whole grain bread, fruits, and vegetables. Lastly, having healthy fats like nuts or even olive oil is a great addition to your meal. A healthy nutrition diet overall will help you maintain and increase muscle mass which will add strength and power to your golf swing. It will also reduce swelling in the muscles and joints according to MyNetDiary.
Mid Round Snacking
For your mid-round snacks, this will look a bit different. Unfortunately, tasty snacks like candy and chips won’t cut it! The best snacks are ones that help keep your energy high and your focus and stamina strong throughout the golf game. So, what might these great snack options look like? One example of this would be Sharp Focus Nutrition that was specifically designed for athletes to eat while on the course. They create packaged snacks that even tell you when to consume each snack so you can keep your focus on the course. The medium package comes with your choice of dried fruit, nut, and jerky, plus it can all be clipped onto your bag! It isn’t just the healthy snack options that you need to keep in mind when on the course because staying hydrated is also key. If you become dehydrated on the course, this could lead to a decrease in your physical and cognitive performance like headaches or body aches. Overall, water is like your best friend on the course. Make sure to keep water close by and drink plenty of water or sports drinks!
Post Game Nutrition
Last but not least is what is best for post-game nutrition. What you eat after the golf match is just as important as what you eat before and during the match. The purpose of eating the correct foods afterward is to keep muscle recovery high and replenish glycogen stores (the purpose/function of glycogen storage is to regulate your blood glucose (sugar) levels). This meal is going to look very similar to the one that is eaten before the match. It should have a lean source of protein again, a type of vegetable, and a whole grain carbohydrate to maximize your recovery. Keeping it simple with meals after the match is always the best option!
Make sure to stay tuned with our other Tip Tuesday Blogs!
