The golf diet: what do golfers eat?

“I’ve had the identical pre-round routine for practically 30 years. It’s not sophisticated, however I feel that’s vital,” says two-time European Tour winner Markus Brier.

“That goes for what I eat simply as a lot as how I heat up. I arrive on the course an hour and ten minutes earlier than my tee time to begin to heat up—however my routine has already began earlier than then—with my diet.”

He’s not alone.

The times of a solitary banana being the extent of a ‘golf food regimen’ are lengthy gone—and this improvement isn’t just confined to elite golfers both. The golf food regimen has actually developed, with many extra amateurs taking extra curiosity in what they gasoline up with earlier than and through a spherical.

A two-week-old banana that’s turned totally black on the backside of a bag may nonetheless be the extent of many membership golfers’ diet, however there may be an rising consciousness throughout the sport that what you eat can assist your golf recreation.

 

The golf food regimen

So, what do you have to eat earlier than and throughout the spherical to
give your self one of the best likelihood of a low rating?

“Most rounds begin earlier than lunch, so a great breakfast is
key to any golf food regimen,” says Brier.

“I’ll normally go for cereal with yoghurt and fruit—substantial however received’t go away me feeling sluggish. If I’ve a later tee time, I’ll even have scrambled or poached eggs on toast.”

The Austrian’s begin to the day offers loads of fibre and sustainable power—key for breakfast so far as golfers are involved. A sluggish launch of power by way of the cereal and toast—particularly wholemeal toast—is what you need.

However what do you have to eat once you’re truly on the golf course?

 

What do golfers eat throughout a spherical?

“We’re on the market for in all probability 5 hours on common, and
that’s too lengthy to go with out meals,” says Brier.

“If I’ve an early tee time, I’ll in all probability simply have some snacks with me, however I want a sandwich if it’s later. I keep away from sugary snacks resembling chocolate bars and so forth—I keep away from the excessive and low.”

As an alternative of sugar-filled snacks, one of the best on-course
nibbles to maintain you going are issues like apples, bananas (in fact), or cereal
bars, which are sometimes a great supply of protein.

Nuts are one other sensible choice; making your personal ‘path combine’ is a superb thought. If that sounds an excessive amount of like a hike within the mountains with Bear Grylls, concern not—it’s merely a case of shopping for some almonds, unsalted nuts, and fruit like raisins, dried pineapple, banana and apricot items and mixing all of them collectively.

Pack a sandwich in the event you want one thing extra substantial. We’ve all seen Tiger Woods munching a sandwich strolling down the green, and you’ll be certain his are peanut butter or lean meat and salad. Golf is actually no time for an ‘all-day breakfast’ feast between two massive slabs of white bread.

 

The beginner golf food regimen

Beginner golfers will begin their spherical within the afternoon
extra usually than Tour professionals do.

“Don’t go for a heavy meal earlier than you tee off. In case you want a good meal, end it not less than 90 minutes earlier than your tee time,” says Brier.

“And keep away from burgers, chips, and different heavy meals like
these as a part of your golf food regimen—they’ll make you’re feeling full, sure, however they’ll additionally
make you’re feeling drained.”

Your physique has to work tougher to digest processed meals,
which may make you’re feeling torpid—and nobody swings nicely once they’re
torpid.

As an alternative, go for a hen salad, a small pasta dish with some greens or a hen or ham wrap (we’ll let you’ve gotten a small packet of crisps too).

Beans on wholemeal toast might be the best and
most cost-effective solution to load up on slow-releasing power. A poached egg on prime, too, is
a great, straightforward supply of protein.

In case you’re consuming nearer to your tee time, it is advisable to be extra cautious with carbs like pasta and bread, as they will make you’re feeling sluggish. Whereas hen and beans may sound like a footballer’s pre-match meal from the Nineteen Eighties, it’s not a nasty possibility in any respect if it’s 12:10 and also you tee off at 13:22.

Staying hydrated is vital, too, naturally, and with
many golf equipment having water fountains dotted concerning the course, it’s not tough
both. There’s no excuse to not keep hydrated—and the outdated saying is actually
not a delusion—that in the event you really feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Tackle water each few holes, even when it’s not particularly heat. A protein shake may also maintain you feeling full in addition to hydrated, and launch some power, too.

Caffeine can also be a helpful stimulant within the golf food regimen, so a pleasant cup of espresso along with your breakfast just isn’t a nasty thought both.

 

Candy treats for golfers

Is there ever an event when candy tooths can
justifiably get caught into some chocolate in a {golfing} context?

“I wouldn’t actually suggest it, however I do know some gamers on the Legends Tour may have a bag of sweets and might need one once in a while,” says Brier.

Colin Montgomerie made jelly babies popular when he began popping them on the Senior Open at Gleneagles in 2022, and three or 4 per spherical can truly provide you with a pleasant increase in power with out the crash.

Jaffa Desserts, too, are one other mild, acceptable possibility—however once you begin speaking about bigger chocolate bars, like a Snickers, for instance, you’re operating the chance of getting a sugar crash three holes later.

 

When you’ve sorted out your golf food regimen and obtained to grips with diet, it is best to discover a optimistic distinction in your efficiency on the market on the inexperienced.

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