Having the Energy to Wear the Green Jacket

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments and will be teeing off April 11th in Augusta, Georgia with every professional golfer meticulously preparing to compete and perform like a champion. The tournament is played over the course of several long-hour days requiring maximum levels of fitness, physical stamina and mental focus from golfers to hit their best shot at every hole.

Professional golfers know how crucial one stroke on a hole can be to determine winning or losing and try to obtain every competitive edge to perform at their best. To achieve this, professional golfers need to maintain their energy levels throughout the course of the tournament, which is determined by the type and timing of food consumed.

Before a round begins, the ideal meal to eat would consist of complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread, oatmeal or potatoes, moderate lean protein including eggs, meat or dairy products and low fat such as nut butters, nuts or avocado. Once a round begins, golfers will want to eat every hour to stabilize energy levels. A round of golf typically lasts four to five hours, so this would mean eating at holes 5, 9, 13 and 18 and eating foods with low carbohydrates and fat and low-to moderate protein, as tolerated. An example of this is fruit such as a banana or apple paired with a nut butter. These options provide instant energy to the muscles and brain.

Equally as critical as the foods you eat, drinking enough fluid and staying hydrated with water and low-sugar sport drinks throughout the tournament will help maintain focus, decision-making and endurance. Having the right nutrition will supplement a golfers performance and could determine becoming a Masters Tournament champion.