Food for Thought…and Play

Work hard, play hard—it’s a lifestyle we know too well. But over time, we’ve outgrown being selfish little brats, wised up a little, and burdened ourselves with new responsibilities. Pretty much the same evolution can be attributed to our approach to golf. We started out hitting the greens with perhaps an overdose of jolly banter, but now, in this phase of our respective lives, we’re just as much game for fun, but also find more fun in the game. A healthier lifestyle has much to do with the latter, and obviously, food plays a major role in that. And speaking of which, food can make a big difference in the way you play your game on the greens.

So, here’s the basic nutritional math. The ideal golfer’s diet is quite a balanced affair and should consist of at almost half of grain fibre-rich carbohydrates, such as fruits, veggies, oatmeal or brown rice, and which provide a vital source of your body’s energy and allow you to focus and perform. Then, there’s the equally essential proteins which are found in dairy products, meat, and again, veggies, and they should make up 20-30% of a golfer’s diet. Mind you, when engaging physical activity, including playing golf, the body’s muscle tissue breaks down in a process called catabolism. It’s then built back up during anabolism, and this process couldn’t take place without proper amino acids that come from eating protein.

Last but certainly not least, there’s fats, and we mean unsaturated or healthy fats. Found in fish, avocados and olive oil, they also are a source of energy and should make up around 20% of a golfer’s diet. And let’s not forget about water. Your body needs to stay hydrated to perform well, especially in sunnier climes and when sweating on the greens. Mind you, a lack of water can lead to fatigue, reduced skill performance, and even trouble to focus and concentrate. Energy drinks and ditto bars, we hear you say? They’re actually not recommended to rehydrate due to the high caffeine content. As you know, concentration is an important aspect of golf. A little caffeine may enhance this during the game, but too much can make it difficult to focus and increase nervousness, and possibly screw up your game.