Hey whats up, its Jason Phillips. Having been a trainer for
10 years, I have been fortunate enough to work some elite
athletes – including PGA tour members!
Thank you to big Chris for introducing me to you guys.
We hung out a few weeks ago in Vegas and let me tell you,
Chris knows his stuff. More importantly, his desire to give
back to the golf community is what really struck me and
we have become good friends since.
As we sat in our meetings in Vegas, I heard other people
talking about the buffets they had been to, the pizza they
ate last night, what they were having for lunch, etc… but
Chris was one of the few exceptions.
You see, most people when they travel just fall off the wagon.
They use vacation (or even business trips) as an EXCUSE
for eating off their plans.
Now don’t get me wrong, im no stiff – I enjoy a good burger
as much as the next guy (especially after an under par round
of golf 😉 ), but I reserve that for my one cheat meal during
the week.
Our world is becoming more health conscious by the day. Even
the cheesecake factory has made a “skinnylicious menu.”
It truly comes down to CHOICE. What decisions are you
making?
OK Mr Fitness guru, all that is really cool but what the hell does
it have to do with golf??
A LOT!
Golf, while not overly physical in nature is still a very athletic
sport.
The “move” in your swing is a very athletic move, and as you
know the greater your rotational speed the better results you
will see in your shots (atleast distance wise).
Picture the feeling you have the morning after devouring that
burger and fries – oh and that cheesecake too.
Can you feel that rock sitting in your stomach, not moving,
and weighing you down?
How do you think that will affect your rotation?
Im guessing, ok not guessing, im telling you that it will slow
you down.
Slowing you down does two things.
- it decreases speed, which as we know is responsible for distance.
- it will also change your timing. Timing is extremely important for consistency and accuracy.
So was the burger really worth it? I really hope it tasted good!
Proper nutrition is also important for mental focus. Hitting
more than 60 shots over 4 hours is mentally exhausting, and
that includes even the fittest people.
Hydration status is another one of the most critical factors
for anyone on the course. Dehydration not only decreases
attention and alertness, but it can also lead to headaches and a
host of other negative health effects.
If you pay close attention you will notice that the guys on tour
are never without a bottle of water or low-calorie sports drink
nearby.
They realize that 100% of their attention is required if they
want to play their best golf.
Eating on the road is pretty simple. As I mentioned, we live in
a health conscious world. You can have your morning omelette
made with egg whites and cooked in spray instead of oil.
You can get whole grain cereals or oatmeal instead of reaching
for a half dozen mini-muffins. Salads with grilled meats are
offered everywhere.
And for on the course nutrition there are plenty of protein
drinks or protein bars that actually taste really good.
It’s a matter of planning.
You prepare for your round of golf right? You make sure you
have your shoes, balls, gloves, tees, etc…
Add some nutritional items to your list. I typically pack 2
protein bars and a few bottles of water.
Pretty simple huh?
Getting better at golf obviously requires lots of practice.
Don’t waste your hard earned time by making stupid decisions
or failing to plan. I can assure you that a small nutritional change
will improve your well being which will in turn lead to a better
feeling on the golf course.
Hopefully this leads to you shooting lower scores 🙂
Jason
