Dehydration Is Hurting Your Golf Game

Your poor drives and off-target putts might have more to do with dehydration than your actual golf skills

Why Is Dehydration Hurting My Golf Game?

Scientific studies have proven that dehydration significantly impairs both physical and mental performance. On the golf course, that translates to:

• Shorter drives

• Inaccurate putts

• Fatigue earlier in your game

• Poor judgment

• Poor concentration

If you’re playing in the heat, it could also translate to heatstroke.

How Do I Prevent Dehydration?

The answer is easy: Drink more fluids!

The CDC says 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, so increasing your daily fluid intake couldn’t hurt, but if we’re just talking golf, the general rule is that if you’re sweating, you need to be drinking.

What to Drink – And What Not to Drink

While many beverages taste great, they won’t all help you play better. You should have these liquids sparingly in everyday life, but avoid them entirely on the golf course:

• Soda – too much sugar and caffeine (caffeine makes you have to urinate more often, which contributes to dehydration. It can also make you jittery, further deteriorating your physical performance.)

• Juice – also too much sugar.

• Energy Drinks (some)– again, too much sugar (and caffeine).

• Alcohol – too much … well, alcohol, which impedes physical and mental functioning even when you’re not playing golf.

Plain old water is your best bet for staying hydrated, but there are other options:

• Coconut water

• Flavored water

• Green or herbal tea

If you’re playing for 90+ minutes, electrolyte-infused water or (preferably sugar-free) sports drinks could be beneficial. You could even munch on high-water-content fruits like apples or oranges between holes!

Maintaining proper hydration is an ongoing process, but getting into the habit of increasing your daily fluid intake will help you play your best golf game.