What if you could lower your golf score during the summer with a neat little idea?
So many golf tips are full of empty promises. They take a lot of work and effort and are never used. Not this one. It’s easy, no effort and no cost.
I normally talk about putting tips, but this tip will help all aspects of your game. It’s Summer and it’s hot. I played two days ago in Daytona Beach and it was 95 degrees with no breeze. I was playing well until I hit the wall after the 14th hole. Bogeys on the last four holes turned my under 80 round into an 82. Ouch.
Number One Summer Golf Tip
I hit the wall because I became dehydrated. Of course, by the time I realized it, it was too late. I drank about 20 ounces of water before my round, but was not drinking enough during the round and finally ran out of gas.
Does Dehydration Affect Golf Performance
I couldn’t believe that dehydration could affect my performance that much, so I did some research. It appears that since the early 60s, scientists have know of the effects of dehydration on performance.
I won’t go into all the details, but a 2.5% loss in body weight through sweating will result in a 30% decrease in performance. Both the brain and the body will suffer. A decrease in performance like that is sure to affect your body, brain and your golf score.
A 2.5% loss in body weight is only 5 pounds for a 200 pound golfer. On a hot summer day, it’s very easy to lose that much and more.
Get Hydrated – Stay Hydrated
These golf tips are not going to increase your skill. You will probably need to play more or practice for that to happen. What these tips will do is help you use the skill you have to maximum effect.
Here are my tips for staying hydrated:
- Drink lots of water before the round
- Drink often during the round even if you’re not thirsty. If you are sweating, starting replacing lost fluids
- Stay away from sports drinks in the early part of the round. The sugars in these drinks will have you crashing before the end of the round. Tom Watson says to dilute sports drinks with an equal amount of water if you going to use them. Around the 14th hold you may get a good boost in energy to take it home.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible
- Take your time and go slow. Keep the sweating under control
- Avoid alcohol the night before the round
- Don’t drink alcohol during the round
Alcohol is a diuretic and will accelerate dehydration on hot days. If it’s part of your game, know that it will probably affect your score, but more importantly, it may lead to cramps and worse if you don’t stay hydrated. If you drink alcohol, make sure you drink more water.
Staying hydrated is not something you would normally see in the golf tips section, but following these few simple guidelines and staying hydrated could save you strokes and improve your round. The great thing is that it doesn’t require money, effort or practice.
