Recently I was sent a review by a pro golfer on his experience with a particular model of electric golf trolley. In the report he commented that he particularly liked the fact that it has a drinks holder conveniently positioned on the trolley as a constant reminder to drink during a round of golf. I hadn't considered this a valuable feature worthy of comment. My husband often returns home after a round of golf complaining of a headache. This is often a clear sign of dehydration, hence highlighting the huge value of a conveniently placed drinks holder as a reminder to drink between shots.
During any sporting activity it's important to ensure that you are properly hydrated and in golf de-hydration can have a negative impact both physically and mentally. The more dehydrated your body, the harder it can be to concentrate and in addition you will tire more quickly. The body dehydrates quickly in warm weather, so if you are planning on golfing in hot weather, hydration is extremely important. Fluids help to maintain the body's temperature. The hotter you become the more fluids you will need to keep your core temperature balanced and stop you from tiring, losing energy and concentration.
Checking your fuel levels
In any sport you should ensure that your body is hydrated before you begin to play. If you drink normal amounts of fluids daily, you should be able to begin exercising at any time. Certain drinks such as alcohol, tea, coffee and diet drinks will de-hydrate the body and so should be avoided before exercise. Water or sports drinks will help to keep your fluid levels correct. For golfers good hydration at the start of and during exercise is the key to performance. There is one simple test to ensure that the body is correctly hydrated and this is to check the colour of your urine. The darker it is the less hydrated the body is, while a paler colour means the body has a stable level of fluids.
Most experts agree that during any sporting activity keeping hydrated is best achieved by drinking lots of fluid early on during the game. This applies to golf and you should adjust the amount depending on the temperature conditions and the length of game. During hot weather it is especially important to up your intake of fluids early as you are likely to sweat more. The loss of only a small percentage of the body's fluids can raise your temperature and have an adverse effect on both physical and mental performance.
Sports drinks or water?
While golf may not be the highest energy activity when it comes to sport, the game can be lengthy and the physical aspect to the game requires suppleness in muscles and joints, which will both be negatively affected by poor hydration and also the strength to carry clubs and equipment. While an iv hydration long island can certainly take some of the strain, keeping well hydrated throughout the game keeps your muscles and joints working well. It also allows you to achieve a good swing and keeps your mind focused on your game strategy. Sports drinks can help to maintain a good level of hydration and contain carbohydrate or glucose, both of which can help to maintain energy levels. During intensive exercise that lasts under an hour experts do not recommend anything other than water, however, for longer, steady periods of exercise a sports drink can have benefits.
Hydration after a round of golf is important and for some this may include a Gin and Tonic or beer. However, replacing lost fluids by drinking water is essential. This benefits muscles and joints and will also increase overall well-being, keeping you fit and active for the next round of golf.
