“I’ve had the identical pre-round routine for almost 30 years. It’s not difficult, however I feel that’s essential,” 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 is not only 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 would possibly nonetheless be the extent of many membership golfers’ diet, however there’s an rising consciousness throughout the sport that what you eat may also help your golf recreation.
The golf food regimen
So, what must you eat earlier than and in the course of the spherical to
give your self the perfect probability 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 gained’t depart 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 gives loads of fibre and sustainable power—key for breakfast so far as golfers are involved. A gradual launch of power by way of the cereal and toast—particularly wholemeal toast—is what you need.
However what must you eat whenever you’re truly on the golf course?
What do golfers eat throughout a spherical?
“We’re on the market for most likely 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 most likely simply have some snacks with me, however I want a sandwich if it’s later. I keep away from sugary snacks comparable to chocolate bars and so forth—I keep away from the excessive and low.”
As a substitute of sugar-filled snacks, the perfect 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 good selection; making your individual ‘path combine’ is a superb thought. If that sounds an excessive amount of like a hike within the mountains with Bear Grylls, worry 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 case you want one thing extra substantial. We’ve all seen Tiger Woods munching a sandwich strolling down the green, and you may ensure 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
Novice golfers will begin their spherical within the afternoon
extra usually than Tour execs do.
“Don’t go for a heavy meal earlier than you tee off. In the event you want an honest meal, end it a minimum of 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 might make you’re feeling torpid—and nobody swings effectively once they’re
torpid.
As a substitute, go for a hen salad, a small pasta dish with some greens or a hen or ham wrap (we’ll let you’ve got a small packet of crisps too).
Beans on wholemeal toast might be the best and
least expensive option to load up on slow-releasing power. A poached egg on prime, too, is
a great, straightforward supply of protein.
In the event you’re consuming nearer to your tee time, it’s essential be extra cautious with carbs like pasta and bread, as they’ll make you’re feeling sluggish. Whereas hen and beans would possibly sound like a footballer’s pre-match meal from the Nineteen Eighties, it’s not a foul choice in any respect if it’s 12:10 and also you tee off at 13:22.
Staying hydrated is essential, too, naturally, and with
many golf equipment having water fountains dotted in regards to the course, it’s not troublesome
both. There’s no excuse to not keep hydrated—and the previous saying is actually
not a fable—that in case you really feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.
Tackle water each few holes, even when it’s not particularly heat. A protein shake may maintain you feeling full in addition to hydrated, and launch some power, too.
Caffeine can be a helpful stimulant within the golf food regimen, so a pleasant cup of espresso along with your breakfast shouldn’t be a foul 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 can have a bag of sweets and may need one every now and then,” says Brier.
Colin Montgomerie made jelly infants common 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 enhance in power with out the crash.
Jaffa Muffins, too, are one other gentle, acceptable choice—however whenever 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 acquired 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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