Pre round nutrition

[3565]

Thanks for the most recent replies. Its just an honest question. Even if being properly fed and watered shaves a couple of strokes off my handicap then its a step in the right direction.

Personally, I eat something before play, bacon roll to start me off, then I take bananas x2 1 for each 9, then mixed raisins and nuts little and often and drink fluids again little and often. Golf is not just physical but mental as well, improve your decision making by 50% will get your scores down, to make good decisions you need to be hydrated and fed.

The other ingredient you really need is salt and a big bag of it if your going to hang around here on this forum.

 

[Foxholer]

Eggs benedict......

Always used to be my preference!

Shire Breakfast hits the spot these days. Tough for a 7:45 start of Saturday though as kitchen only starts at 7:30!

Plenty of fluids during the round - and something like a flapjack or Granola bar about 12th. Bananas work too.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As a diabetic I have to be careful and make sure my sugars are relatively balanced and so have a bowl of muesli or toast and peanut butter. I'll have a couple of bananas and some water on the way round. Nothing complicated. Welcome along to the OP too

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Do you have the same attitude towards your 4 BBB partner who from previous similar threads who admits to taking a weeks grocery shop with him as well as a camel and a Sherpa?

Thought not but hey let's be sarcastic when it suits us towards a newbie but when a forum "stalwart" comes out with similar posts and anyone else dares to question it just jump up there on your high horse.

Sorry OP for going off track but as has been said some of the replies to your question are shocking and trust me not all on here are as rude.

If you're gonna ask me a question, at least let me answer it before assuming my response

If you really must know, my response is the same no matter who it is to, it doesn't matter if it's Homer or the forums newest member. You don't need fancy drinks or food to play golf, if you are getting tired you aren't fit enough and simply eating food won't help.

Drinking plenty of water will suffice for fluids.

P.S. My post wasn't sarcastic, it's my honest opinion, I thought that's what this forum was for?

 

[Snelly]

if being properly fed and watered shaves a couple of strokes off my handicap then its a step in the right direction.

It won't and that is a fact.

Don't get upset. I am just helping you to broaden your understanding.

I have played golf in all states of appetite. From stuffed full of bread and butter pudding across to absolutely starving. None of this really shaved anything off my handcap.

Additionally, I have seen an Irishman get back to our hotel at 5.40am then on the tee at 8am. He shot 2 over and plays off a handicap of 7. He wasn't hydrated or in a fit state to have enhanced decision making thanks to raisins.

Golf is a game of skill. Fitness levels are not a meaningful factor of success.. Just look at some of the fatties that have won huge tournaments.

Eat what you like would be my advice because it won't make a discernible difference and you are not playing golf for a living.

Sorry if this is a slap in the face. It isn't intended to be one.

 

[Val]

Isn't that normally together

No, fried mars bar isn't for breakfast, that's lunch, dinner or after a booze up

 

[Val]

I have to add some of you take this game WAY too serious, it's just a hobby after all

 

[Foxholer]

My god some of the responses to this thread in particular have me questioning why I bother coming on this forum. I guess it's become habit more than anything. Often newbies a greeted with a welcome equivalent to a slap in the face.

Actually, more like a kick in the nuts!

Ha! just noticed the Mod-edit of your original post! You were probably right the first time! :rofl:

 

[NST]

I like scrambled egg on toast before a morning round of golf. Couple of bottles of water and a banana during the round.

 

[Slicer30]

3 weetabix just before I head out. If hungover then maybe just the one!

In truth If I decided to lie on the sofa instead of going out to play golf I doubt I would be able to go for 4 hours without a nibble or a drink.

Someone recommended a search of older posts - one of the threads of the last 12 months is food related - think it relates to choice of biscuit for a round. worth a search.

edit - this is the thread http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?54919-Qwerty-and-the-biscuit-dilema&highlight=nobs

 

[backwoodsman]

Golf at the level we play is gentle exercise requiring a modicum of concentration. It does not require specialist or specific dietary attention. However, what you eat and when does - or can - become a self fulfilling prophesy. If you think you need, say, a fibre/fruit/carbs breakfast in order to play well for a full 18, then it is probably a good idea to do so. If you dont, your conscious or subconscious mindset is likely to wreck your game more than would the lack of the breakfast.

Have you noticed how people always seem to indicate their need to take their "boost" at a very specific time - 6/8/12 holes or whatever - and seemingly regardless of numerous other factors? I just find it odd that people always flag or tire at exactly the same point. Wouldn't it be normal for it to happen earlier sometimes, and later or not at all at others?

I say mindset is much the bigger factor.

 

[Loz1607]

The reason I stopped playing golf for a number of years was due to participating relatively seriously in triathlon and cycling events and didn't have time to train/practice for both. I would therefore class myself as pretty fit and can happily knock out 10 mile training runs for fun! But I still find that come the end of a round of golf, my legs feel as tired if not more so than if I had been out for a 50 mile cycle. My point is, do not underestimate the amount of energy required to play a round of golf. Due to the fine motor skills needed in golf, any element of fatigue will start to hinder these, and adequate nutrition on and off the course will help maintain good energy levels throughout your round.

Taking nutrition on board when you need it is often too late because by the time it is processed and you start to benefit, you've probably dropped a couple of shots.

Take small amounts of fluid and fuel regularly through your round will help keep this from happening

and for what it's worth, stay away from breakfast cereal in general, it is processed and packed with huge amounts of sugar. Organic rolled outs with some natural yoghurt and berries would be good, eggs and greens (yes it is ok to have veg for breakfast) or scrambled eggs on good toast would be a good choice of pre round fuel, with fruit or even a couple of sandwiches during your round along with plenty of fluids

 

[Slab]

I usually have a performance dip somewhere during the round & it could well be related to nutrition but I'm just not disciplined enough to actually find out if it really is the problem or if its something else

I don't have a set pre-round routine except for taking on board sufficient caffeine & nicotine. Sometimes a McD's or a croissant etc Sometimes bacon butty going round, sometimes a couple of ciders going round, sometimes nowt

No harm in eating/drinking well & regularly to eliminate nutrition as an issue but I'd say do so to make it a more enjoyable round rather than targeting a better scoring round from it

 

[User20205]

The reason I stopped playing golf for a number of years was due to participating relatively seriously in triathlon and cycling events and didn't have time to train/practice for both. I would therefore class myself as pretty fit and can happily knock out 10 mile training runs for fun! But I still find that come the end of a round of golf, my legs feel as tired if not more so than if I had been out for a 50 mile cycle. My point is, do not underestimate the amount of energy required to play a round of golf. Due to the fine motor skills needed in golf, any element of fatigue will start to hinder these, and adequate nutrition on and off the course will help maintain good energy levels throughout your round.

Taking nutrition on board when you need it is often too late because by the time it is processed and you start to benefit, you've probably dropped a couple of shots.

Take small amounts of fluid and fuel regularly through your round will help keep this from happening

and for what it's worth, stay away from breakfast cereal in general, it is processed and packed with huge amounts of sugar. Organic rolled outs with some natural yoghurt and berries would be good, eggs and greens (yes it is ok to have veg for breakfast) or scrambled eggs on good toast would be a good choice of pre round fuel, with fruit or even a couple of sandwiches during your round along with plenty of fluids

What about sausage rolls and snickers bars ? Someone told me they're the perfect meal.

 

[Ethan]

I think that unless you are playing some where very hot, water is just fine for hydration. For nutrition, a slow release (complex) carb before you start, breakfast of porridge, lunch of wholewheat pasta etc should be fine. No need for protein bars and some energy drinks are positively harmful.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Golf at the level we play is gentle exercise requiring a modicum of concentration. It does not require specialist or specific dietary attention. However, what you eat and when does - or can - become a self fulfilling prophesy. If you think you need, say, a fibre/fruit/carbs breakfast in order to play well for a full 18, then it is probably a good idea to do so. If you dont, your conscious or subconscious mindset is likely to wreck your game more than would the lack of the breakfast.

Have you noticed how people always seem to indicate their need to take their "boost" at a very specific time - 6/8/12 holes or whatever - and seemingly regardless of numerous other factors? I just find it odd that people always flag or tire at exactly the same point. Wouldn't it be normal for it to happen earlier sometimes, and later or not at all at others?

I say mindset is much the bigger factor.

I'd go one further and say it was an affliction golfers are affected by which causes them to identify the wrong solution to a problem. For example...

Problem:I can't hit my driver straight
Real solution: Get a lesson and practice
Golfer's solution: Buy new driver

Problem: I can't putt
Real solution: Practice
Golfer' solution: Put fatter grip on putter

Problem: I get tired during a round
Real solution: improve fitness
Golfer' solution: Eat slow release food and drink fancy drinks

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I'd go one further and say it was an affliction holders are affected by which causes them to identify the wrong solution to a problem. For example...

Problem:I can't hit my driver straight
Real solution: Get a lesson and practice
Golfer's solution: Buy new driver

Problem: I can't putt
Real solution: Practice
Golfer' solution: Put fatter grip on putter

Problem: I get tired during a round
Real solution: improve fitness
Golfer' solution: Eat slow release food and drink fancy drinks

:thup:

 

[Conman85]

It won't and that is a fact.

Don't get upset. I am just helping you to broaden your understanding.

I have played golf in all states of appetite. From stuffed full of bread and butter pudding across to absolutely starving. None of this really shaved anything off my handcap.

Additionally, I have seen an Irishman get back to our hotel at 5.40am then on the tee at 8am. He shot 2 over and plays off a handicap of 7. He wasn't hydrated or in a fit state to have enhanced decision making thanks to raisins.

Golf is a game of skill. Fitness levels are not a meaningful factor of success.. Just look at some of the fatties that have won huge tournaments.

Eat what you like would be my advice because it won't make a discernible difference and you are not playing golf for a living.

Sorry if this is a slap in the face. It isn't intended to be one.

Wrong, so very wrong!

Yes some people do have natural ability and can do what they like and still compete, but the majority don't. For the majority of people they have to work at things and golf being a sport that everyone works on all of the time, any gain can make a difference. You just have to look at the change in tour players over the last 15 yrs, the rise of the athletic golfer is here to stay. Along with that are the team of staff behind the scenes, why?................because any gain they can make is significant! Look at the guys on tour they can all swing a club, at the top the big difference is mental attitude, that’s what separates the winners from the losers.

Look at who has dominated golf:

Nicklaus
Player (A massive advocate for eating healthy and staying fit)
Palmer
Faldo
Ballesteros
Woods
McIlroy

Yes fatties win tournaments, but the athletic one’s consistently win more.

Now let’s talk about Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood, great players, but what do we usually say about them? Bottle merchants.......has diet and the mind then maybe got something in common, I think an argument could be made that it does.................especially when Westwood made the decision to get fitter to improve his golf!

He may not be on tour, but the opening poster is looking for ways to improve and nutrition is certainly a great avenue to start. Eating correctly and staying fuelled is the best way to keep focus. The mind is what separates the good golfers from the great golfers and how do you fuel the mind (not just books) by eating right. If you can keep focus for the full 18 holes I can guarantee your scores will come down.

Of course you may be happy going out and hitting a ball once a week with no intention of improving, just playing for the love of the game, that is perfectly reasonable. If however you wish to take it seriously and are looking at ways to improve. I would say apart from the obvious one, practice! Nutrition and fitness would be the next areas I’d look at to make improvements in your overall game.

Any discernible gain you can make is worth attempting as all the small gains add up to make one significant one!

 

[CMAC]

I'd go one further and say it was an affliction golfers are affected by which causes them to identify the wrong solution to a problem. For example...

Problem:I can't hit my driver straight
Real solution: Get a lesson and practice
Golfer's solution: Buy new driver

Problem: I can't putt
Real solution: Practice
Golfer' solution: Put fatter grip on putter

Problem: I get tired during a round
Real solution: improve fitness
Golfer' solution: Eat slow release food and drink fancy drinks

 

[Vmixture]

Played 18 today, had a pre round pint of smoothie and a banana at the half way stage, munched a snickers on the 15th to finish. Didn't feel tired or hungry and a couple of bottles of water kept me hydrated.

This was the first time I played at Elton Furze and hit 83 which is 3 under handicap, the course is a lot more hilly than my home club of Milton. I doubt very much that I would have been so successful on an empty stomach or with the wrong food inside me.

I guess everyone has a different outlook on golf. I am serious enough about getting my handicap down to make sure I'm doing what's right in all areas, this includes regular lessons and lots of practice. I only started paying seriously a year ago (when I joined Milton) and had a starting handicap of 25, dropping 9 shots in the first 12 months is very pleasing. Yes I could be fitter (who couldn't) but I need to do what's right for me now, fitness will come in time but I can only work with what I have at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who has been supportive in my first thread, for those who have different views you are more than entitled to them. Everyone is made differently, some have to work harder than others and in my case its nice to feel the effort is paying off.