Golfers Diet & Exercise
To succeed in golf, much like anything in life, ample time is needed for practice. Beyond practicing a lot, though, it is also important for competitive golfers to pay attention to their diet and exercise routines. These respective elements can help improve a golfer's physique, stamina and core strength. By developing these components, a golfer puts himself in a better position to remain competitive and stand up to the challenge of his rival.
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About Golf
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Golf combines various elements of balance, body control, and even power. These factors are combined to form the foundation of a golfer's game. Golf may be played for recreational purposes--a friendly game between brothers, for example--or competitively. For competitive golfers, it is important to find a way to achieve and maintain an edge over the competition. One such way is to focus on diet and exercise.
Diet
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For the average weekend duffer, the diet is not going to have a tremendous amount of impact on one's game. Golf courses often offer food in the clubhouse or via mobile carts, and hot dogs, hamburgers and the like are standard fare. The competitive golfer, though, needs to give greater consideration to diet and nutrition.
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Carbohydrates
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A golfer's diet should consist of at least 50 percent carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. This base is necessary for supplying energy to the body. Additionally, eating healthy carbohydrates during a golfing session will maintain blood glucose levels and aid in maintaining concentration.
An important consideration with regard to carbohydrates, though, is to make sure they are from food groups such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Carbohydrates from other sources like candy bars, chips and processed foods containing refined flours do not have the same health benefits. The carbs contained in such foods are known as "simple carbohydrates" and should be limited.
Protein and Healthy Fats
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Beyond carbohydrates, golfers also need protein and healthy fats. Six to eight ounces of protein from sources like chicken and fish is adequate for helping growth and repair of muscles. The healthy fats are important in the body's absorption of key nutrients and can actually make someone feel full and prevent overeating. Healthy fats are found in sources like nuts, seeds and olive oil.
Hydration
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An overlooked part of golfer nutrition is proper hydration. The sport of golf is often played under sunny skies and in the summer months or warm climates. When spending hours in the sun, it is important to remain hydrated and prevent any possibility of heatstroke. Water helps regulate the body's temperature.
Even when golf is played in cooler temperatures, drinking fluids often is important for maintaining peak physical condition. When participating in physical activity, the body relies on water to prevent muscle fatigue and loss of coordination. Coordination is vital to a successful golf game, and golfers should plenty of water and sports drinks to keep hydration levels high.
Exercise
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Golf requires tremendous amounts of concentration, precision and flexibility. Strength training is an important part of any competitive golfer's exercise regimen and can help with flexibility and provide extra explosion for long drives. Beyond strength training, stretching is vital for a golfer who wishes to improve his game. Stretching will help prevent injuries and creates a more fluid swing. A golfer who does not have the same level of flexibility will find his stroke to not be as dynamic.
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References
- Photo Credit golfer image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com
