My PSA might sound like a no-brainer, yet as my season is beginning it is important to remember to say protected on the golf course. Hydration is a critical health requirement when playing golf and it is easy to overlook carrying water when playing. Personally, I always carry one litre of water as a minimum because I have felt the affects of dehydration on the golf course and it is not fun. Ensuring we are physically ready for playing golf in the heat will transfer to lower golf scores most of the time.
Most golf courses offer a plethora of beverage options. Sometimes, it is a challenge to choose the correct drink that will keep us at our peak performance. Personally, I avoid anything carbonated while playing; that includes alcohol. To be fair, I have enjoyed a cold beer on a hot day when playing, but that was happens once every few years. I believe that if I am there to play golf, I should set myself up for success by staying hydrated.
Choosing what to drink on the golf course is a personal decision. I do not care on way or another what others choose to consume, but as for me, I like water most. It is my personal choice and it works for me.
“Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sleepiness
- Decrease in urination
- Dark yellow- or amber-colored urine
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Dry mouth and mucous membranes (lips, gums, nostrils)
- Low blood pressure
The amount of fluid a person needs a day varies depending on several factors, including their age and weight. A simple guideline for radiation therapy patients is that an adult under the age of 65 needs 30 milliliters of fluid per pound of weight, while a person over the age of 65 needs 25 to 30 milliliters of fluid per pound of weight.” (MD Anderson Cancer Center)
As the warmer temperatures start to become the norm, staying hydrated on the golf course is very important. I plan to play more golf in the afternoons this season, so the PSA is very important to my golf game. This is only one health related aspect we will be talking about as the season unfolds, but for now stay hydrated and keep safe.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim great reminder. I prefer a mixture of Gatorade and water. It’s important to note that most courses removed all drinking water during COVID. Most have returned it but some haven’t. Everyone should check with the course before going out to ensure they have enough!
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian,
There is only one course in our area that supplied water on the golf course. Not sure if they will continue this year or not. Your point is well taken about asking the simple question about water to prevent challenges later.
Cheers Jim
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Now you’ve done it. You’ve made me go and think about what’s good for me. And what’s worse, how it relates to my golf game which of course the only reason I consider the issue. 😂
Background: I always carry water in the cooler in my bag. A quart bottle half frozen overnight and filled as I leave. I also have a travel mug. It’s full of suger. Soda.
It could be asserted that the trend in my stats which show that I tend to score better the 2nd nine is due to the sugar high being missing.
Or I could continue to assume that the back nine is better because I’m dialed in better by then.
Choices…Choices…
It’s all your fault ya know.
😂
I hit the ball very well today. I putted pretty good too for what we played on. Multi-tiered and contoured. Fast and hard. And I mean fast. Running close to 12 fast. And to make things even more “interesting” wind gusts strong enough to move the ball and more than strong enough to keep it moving on even the hint of a slope. The guys put up big numbers but at least 2 of them stayed under 100. It was brutal. I shot an 81. And I was pretty happy with that considering. I hit the ball very well today. My choice of aim could have been better on a few approach shots, but all in all, I did ok.
Those greens have made this course a real challenge. It’s always be short and tight with tons of opportunity to lose a ball or two, but I also found the greens and I got along. But since resurfacing, they are a true world class challenge. I enjoyed it immensely. Fairways and greens just weren’t good enough today. Well, had I held those greens….lol….or been on the right section of those greens. It might have changed things a little. I gotta go make notes for next week.
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Kevin,
First, you are welcome that I made you ponder healthy choices. 😉
Second, quickly adjusting to greens during any round is important to shooting lower golf scores. Our greens are generally slower up north than a 12. I am not sure how I would putt on greens so fast, it has been a long time since I played them. Sounds fun though.
Cheers Jim
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