To be successful in golf you must practice, eat well and exercise. A golf conditioning program should go hand in hand with a well-rounded nutrition plan. It goes without saying that proper nutrition and hydration is important for all of us.
If you are serious about shaving valuable strokes off your scorecard, you may need to make dietary changes. The typical foods and beverages offered at the golf course clubhouse don’t do much to advance your game; in fact they take away from your game. Eating overly processed foods is not good for you and consuming too much food within two of hours of tee time affects your game negatively. It diverts blood away from your brain and muscles, elevates your blood sugar quickly and then drops it rapidly which leads to fatigue. Skipping meals is not advisable either because you need a slow and steady release of energy to see you through an 18-hole match or 72-hole tournament.
Ideally you want to eat 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day which helps to increase metabolism and gives your body nutrition to last the length of the game. You can always keep a piece of fruit or a bag of raw nuts in your golf bag for when you need a little snack.
An often overlooked part of nutrition is hydration. To be on the safe side, drink 8 to 10 cups of water every day. When participating in physical activities the body relies on water to prevent muscle fatigue and loss of coordination. Coordination is vital to a successful golf game. Drinking water will aid in regulating the body’s temperature and prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they are diuretics and cause loss of fluid in addition to over stimulating your mind or muscles, making performance unsteady. By developing these components, a golfer will be in a better position to remain competitive and stand up to the challenge of their rival. The truth of the matter is, you are what you eat and what you eat affects how you play.
For optimal performance, consume a meal consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats 2-3 hours before golfing.
A sample meal is Whole Wheat Pasta with Red Sauce.
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 