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Pre round nutrition

MarkA said:
Ignore them they're a cynical lot
Porrisdge or smoothie for breakfast, cereal bar round the 9th and plenty of fluids
staying hydrated is very important.
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You can call it cynical if you want but you really don't need "slow release" food and isotonic drinks to play golf. You just need to eat whatever you want before you play and drink some water during. It's golf at the end of the day which involves a lot of standing around, a bit of walking and a few swings of a golf club, it's not exactly running a marathon.

I played 36 holes on Sunday, I didn't have any breakfast and had a pint of diet coke and a bag of crisps at lunch, apart from that all I had was water. At the end of it, I could happily of gone out and played again.
 
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.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
In Summer I carry 2 bottles of squash and will have a small bag of salted Peanuts or cashews

In winter, its 1 bottle and a couple of Mars Bars

every one is different, so find what works for you :)
 
I struggle to finish 18 holes without eating something for energy, anyone who has met me i would hope would say I am relativity fit, young (ish) and shouldnt need to eat. But i do, if i do not eat properly before and have a mid round snack, i am screwed. I probably think i should see the docs, but thats for sick people.

Do what your body tells you, if you feel weak on the back nine, eat some food around the 9th, it doesnt make you less of a man. Some of the "macho" bull on here is beyond belief some times..
 
just a 2% loss of hydration will lead to a 10%-15% percent decrease in your functional capabilities. Plus more likely as well as fatigue -mental & physical, to get headaches, muscle cramps, upset stomachs.

Water the best, - & regularly (no soda's -way too much sugar but no unsweetened ones either, carbonation in them can mess up your adrenalin levels pretty easily & irritate the stomach)
Even though folks know they should drink more in the heat, they don't drink enough, in high temps you need to take in some fluid at the start of each hole - folks don't take on enough fluid though generally they assume when it's not hot they don't need to but that's not the case.

breakfast - good - any none sweetened cereal, oat based better but if cereal no sugar eat about an hour before with milk, also good - natural unsweetened yogurt, unsweetened smoothies, fruit, especially bananas (good for the heart, & keeping blood pressure down, regulated, good for prevention of strokes-(not the swing related kind) good for the b6 & potassium, vitamin c, but just a couple at most, nuts. grilled fish, egg white omelets. whole meal or organic bread, avoid processed.

- avoid. sugar of any kind causes your blood sugar levels to spike quickly but also drop very quickly has a drastic effect on energy levels & ability to maintain concentration. also affects the fine motor skills. even freshly squeezed fruit juice has too much sugar in it.
- avoid. anything high in fat affects the digestion leads to stomach cramps particularly in the heat, also can bring on tiredness.
- avoid caffeine, one of the things that will dehydrate you very quickly - miss out on the pre round morning coffee if playing - lot of caffeine in chocolate.

look to eat complex carbohydrates & lean protein before a round, only a little natural fat -whole milk:

things during the round - fruit, good health bars, nuts. plenty of water is your friend.
 
HawkeyeMS said:
You can call it cynical if you want but you really don't need "slow release" food and isotonic drinks to play golf. You just need to eat whatever you want before you play and drink some water during. It's golf at the end of the day which involves a lot of standing around, a bit of walking and a few swings of a golf club, it's not exactly running a marathon.

I played 36 holes on Sunday, I didn't have any breakfast and had a pint of diet coke and a bag of crisps at lunch, apart from that all I had was water. At the end of it, I could happily of gone out and played again.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Vmixture said:
The more I get into golf the more this seems important.

Several times this year I've noticed my game lag on the back 9 and having given it some thought it it does seem that on days where I don't eat well the golf suffers.

Now its not always possible to eat a full hearty breakfast before teeing off if its an early tee time, so I was wondering what people on here do when up early?

Ive found a banana and peanut butter smoothie (1 banana, big spoonful of peanut butter, a squirt of maple syrup or honey, milk and crushed ice) seems to keep me going for the 18 with maybe another banana at the half way stage.

Any other suggestions? Im teeing off at 10 tomorrow so could do something a bit more substantial, I know the tradition is a good bacon roll but I doubt that really gives enough of the 'right' stuff to keep you going for the full 18!

I know its important to keep your brain and muscles well fed, so please feel free to share any secrets!
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My fitness is reasonably good at the moment and I find that having pasta the night before has a significant effect on my ability to last the round playing at a decent level the following day. I've tried this over the last month or so when I've had a pasta meal and also when I've not had a pasta meal the night before a competition round and have found a noticeable difference. As others have also said take plenty of water to keep hydrated and take it throughout the round.
 
palindromicbob said:
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.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. I don't understand why an innocent enquiry seems to generate the need in some to posters question the Op's fitness etc. If he feels a need some sustenance so what that's none of our business.

He is entitled to constructive advice not personal attack and stupid points scoring by claiming to be super-fit because you can play a round of golf without eating or drinking. You'll notice that most of the PGA players will drink and eat frequently - I guess in the eyes of some of the posters on here they're wimps !

I personally find I drink about a pint of fluid and usually a banana or cereal bar improves my scores but I'm obviously one of the wimps.
 
CMAC said:
its a 3.5 hr walk in a field............C'mon, seriously:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Vmixture said:
Thanks for that. Perhaps my 5 posts fail to qualify me for sensible answers.
Click to expand...



sorry you are absolutely correct, it should be taken seriously as many people get dehydrated and have been known to collapse, or worse, bogie the last hole, that bits not true, it's more like a double bogie:whistle:

So either eat what you normally eat before going for a leisurely stroll for a few hours or take the_coaches advice here, it's very very good advice and if you want to get serious you should listen- I have:mmm:

the_coach said:
just a 2% loss of hydration will lead to a 10%-15% percent decrease in your functional capabilities. Plus more likely as well as fatigue -mental & physical, to get headaches, muscle cramps, upset stomachs.

Water the best, - & regularly (no soda's -way too much sugar but no unsweetened ones either, carbonation in them can mess up your adrenalin levels pretty easily & irritate the stomach)
Even though folks know they should drink more in the heat, they don't drink enough, in high temps you need to take in some fluid at the start of each hole - folks don't take on enough fluid though generally they assume when it's not hot they don't need to but that's not the case.

breakfast - good - any none sweetened cereal, oat based better but if cereal no sugar eat about an hour before with milk, also good - natural unsweetened yogurt, unsweetened smoothies, fruit, especially bananas (good for the heart, & keeping blood pressure down, regulated, good for prevention of strokes-(not the swing related kind) good for the b6 & potassium, vitamin c, but just a couple at most, nuts. grilled fish, egg white omelets. whole meal or organic bread, avoid processed.

- avoid. sugar of any kind causes your blood sugar levels to spike quickly but also drop very quickly has a drastic effect on energy levels & ability to maintain concentration. also affects the fine motor skills. even freshly squeezed fruit juice has too much sugar in it.
- avoid. anything high in fat affects the digestion leads to stomach cramps particularly in the heat, also can bring on tiredness.
- avoid caffeine, one of the things that will dehydrate you very quickly - miss out on the pre round morning coffee if playing - lot of caffeine in chocolate.

look to eat complex carbohydrates & lean protein before a round, only a little natural fat -whole milk:

things during the round - fruit, good health bars, nuts. plenty of water is your friend.
Click to expand...
 
palindromicbob said:
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.
Click to expand...


Please note Moderators are aware of this and will be keeping an eye open for this type of post
Thanks
 
the_coach said:
just a 2% loss of hydration will lead to a 10%-15% percent decrease in your functional capabilities. Plus more likely as well as fatigue -mental & physical, to get headaches, muscle cramps, upset stomachs.

Water the best, - & regularly (no soda's -way too much sugar but no unsweetened ones either, carbonation in them can mess up your adrenalin levels pretty easily & irritate the stomach)
Even though folks know they should drink more in the heat, they don't drink enough, in high temps you need to take in some fluid at the start of each hole - folks don't take on enough fluid though generally they assume when it's not hot they don't need to but that's not the case.

breakfast - good - any none sweetened cereal, oat based better but if cereal no sugar eat about an hour before with milk, also good - natural unsweetened yogurt, unsweetened smoothies, fruit, especially bananas (good for the heart, & keeping blood pressure down, regulated, good for prevention of strokes-(not the swing related kind) good for the b6 & potassium, vitamin c, but just a couple at most, nuts. grilled fish, egg white omelets. whole meal or organic bread, avoid processed.

- avoid. sugar of any kind causes your blood sugar levels to spike quickly but also drop very quickly has a drastic effect on energy levels & ability to maintain concentration. also affects the fine motor skills. even freshly squeezed fruit juice has too much sugar in it.
- avoid. anything high in fat affects the digestion leads to stomach cramps particularly in the heat, also can bring on tiredness.
- avoid caffeine, one of the things that will dehydrate you very quickly - miss out on the pre round morning coffee if playing - lot of caffeine in chocolate.

look to eat complex carbohydrates & lean protein before a round, only a little natural fat -whole milk:

things during the round - fruit, good health bars, nuts. plenty of water is your friend.
Click to expand...

I can't see in there the halfway hut for the bacon and sausage roll or baguette plus the coffee with a wee dram for the winter months :D
 
Vmixture said:
It crossed my mind! I wouldn't say I'm struggling, but I do notice a downward slide if I've gone out without eating yet on days when I've gone out a bit later with a belly food of decent food my game actually improves on the back 9.

And no, Im not selling anything, was just hoping people might want to share what they have found is a great pre-round meal that gives a slow and steady energy release without making you feel too full when stepping up on the first tee.
Click to expand...

It will depend on what the time limit is between eating and teeing off

Playing golf is not a constant energy zapping sport as they say so inbetween shots your body relaxes and it reduces the energy used so I wouldn't say slow release type foods would be an essential but mainly just a good normal healthy diet - lots of fruit , cereal or toast in the morning - the same sort of breakie you would have in the morning before work - and whilst you are playing then just keep yourself hydrated would be the biggest key IMO
 
I go to Costco and stock up on trays of water bottles and Nature Valley bars- they do various types. Excellent value which helps keeps the costs down. I avoid chocolate bars and sugary drinks as much as possible.

Before leaving the house, rounds of toast with either marmite or peanut butter.

Seems to do the trick for me.
 
I hate being hungry so can do without the distraction! Plus in summer there is no doubt that 4 hours in the sun without enough fluids will cause dehydration. First thing to suffer is mental capacity and this game is tough enough to play with a brain fully firing (if it ever does)!

So - breakfast is either fresh strawberries and greek yoghurt or a protein bar with some complex carbs. Currently trialling shredded wheat with raisins and semi-skimmed milk and so far keeps me full for as long as the fruit/yoghurt or protein bar (and cheaper). On the course it's usually a peanut butter sandwich with wholemeal bread and an apple or banana. A litre of fluids - squash based as I hate plain water.

I don't see it as a vital fuelling strategy as I would follow for endurance running BUT it is important to always keep your body hydrated and well-fuelled.
 
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.
 
I always take some High5 drinks, i find they taste nice and have no sugar.

Snack wise usually Tracker bars, bananas or apples I have just got some mixed nuts and fruit to try though.

I have to say when a friend used to car share with me we often got a maccyds' breakfast and this usually filled me up for the round but i'm sure it did not help me play better
 
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