Sunday, November 23, 2008

Golf Nutrition and Fitness


Golf is one of the few sports that you can play your entire life. You can start off playing golf as soon as you are able to walk and can continue to play until you can no longer walk. Golf is a great game that can benefit from good fitness and nutrition. By working on specific muscles, you can greatly increase your distance and your stamina.

Golf fitness is much different from that of contact sports. Golf fitness is really trying to keep you flexible and enable you to walk the course if you wanted to so you wouldn't be handicapped to only a golf cart. A golfer should have some strength training to better his game. A golfer should include workouts for his arms (triceps, biceps, forearms, and wrists), shoulders, back, and most importantly his core (abdominal muscles). By working on these areas of the body, a golfer will be able to have smoother swing, be able to swing the club all day without pulling a muscle and getting tired, and pack some power behind his drive by increasing club-head speed. By strengthening vital core muscles, a golfer will help in reducing his risk of throwing out his back. It would also greatly benefit a golfer to stretch daily to help in being flexible. By having some fitness in his life, a golfer will also reduce his risk of injury and be healthier throughout his life. It is also very important for a golfer to have some cardiovascular work in his weekly routines. This helps by allowing a golfer to play longer and walk the whole course without getting tired. Any golfer can greatly improve his game by having some fitness in his life.

Another important part of a golfer’s game should be his nutrition. A golfer should be well hydrated before he goes out to play 18 holes. This requires him to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day and even more on hot summer days. Also, before he goes to tee up, a golfer should consume a balanced meal that includes energy-dense foods like: lean protein (chicken, turkey, fish), complex carbohydrates (whole wheat), and some fruits and vegetables. This will insure plenty of energy for a long day at the course. A golfer must also try to stay away from soft drinks and energy drinks before the game, because of all the caffeine they include. Caffeine will give instant energy for a little while, but will then wear off by the 5th hole, leaving the golfer sluggish and slow down his play. Golfers can also eat several smaller meals throughout the day opposed to the three traditional meals. Having good nutrition can also benefit golfers throughout their lives by reducing their chances of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases.

Every golfer would love to shave points off of his score, making birdies and par all the time. By making little lifestyle changes in their weekly routines, golfers can greatly increase their chances of improving their shots and their game. In no time, they will benefit from being more flexible, stronger, hit drives farther, being healthier and have more energy and stamina.

Pick up some golf clubs today!

image source-lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com

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