You're coming up on the 15th hole. You are fatigued, hot, and you feel a headache coming on. You've been fighting the course for the past 5 holes, and it is winning. Your game was going great during the front nine, but now it's crumbling. Why does this always seem to happen? There could be one, simple solution....Hydration!
Golf requires the physical skills of endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility as well as keen cognitive function, concentration, and anxiety control.
Scientific research shows that dehydration negatively affects all of these important attributes that are critical in the game of golf. If your strength and endurance are compromised by dehydration, perhaps your drives might not go as far. If your balance and flexibility are off, your chances of slicing increase. If your concentration is hindered, your putts may not fall; instead of that coveted birdie, you find yourself 3-putting for bogey.
Staying hydrated throughout the round may be the key to improving your game. Here are some simple solutions that may help:
- Start hydrating the day before by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- 2 hours before your round, drink approximately 2 cups (16 oz) of water.
- At the start of each hole, drink at least 1/2 cup of fluids (water or sports drinks), even when not feeling thirsty. For some of us, the thirst mechanism doesn't kick in until we are already dehydrated. What is a 1/2 cup? It's about 4 gulps or swallows of your water.
- Avoid alcohol (and this is where I lose you golfers 21 and older). But seriously, if you are serious about your game, you may want to consider that alcohol causes dehydration. Coupled with 4 hours of play in the heat and humidity, alcohol could really blow your game.
Play hard and hydrate wisely!
Good luck to the SJSU Men's Golf Team. Have a great season!
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