Derivatives of this desire to improve look like “I would like to lower my handicap” or “To break ninety would be brilliant” yet none of this is possible without the ability to concentrate or remain in control for a full eighteen holes.
If you look at the body as a machine, remember the Biomechanics angle I wrote about in the last article? If you didn’t catch it, then simply put the body is a machine-organism. This organism has to be fit for function and able to control a ball with a very small stick for around four hours or eighteen holes. The movements are fairly complex which is why the game is so joyful and frustrating, sometimes at the same time.
The body’s level of strength, flexibility and the mental desire to achieve or compete will have a huge effect on the accomplishments of the golfer. Throw in some great coaching (I can always help there!) and diligent practice, you could find yourself to be quite a tasty golfer.
Just to recap, strength, flexibility, guidance, practice and desire are the key ingredients to putting some wonderful achievements under your belt. Over the next few articles I will drill into some considerable detail around the topics.
We all remember that wonderful tee shot, that streak of brilliance which led to consecutive pars, maybe even that hole in one where everything aligned and you were at one with the universe. The ball was on a string, the mind alert and body capable. Then it’s gone, something breaks the moment, what was easy is now laboured, the mood has changed.
There are many reasons for a change in form during a round. Consistently the key reasons will surround either fitness, hydration or nutrition. Let’s gloss over the fitness side for now and bring that up later. So we are left with hydration and nutrition. Since over seventy percent of the body is made up of water and the brain is over eighty five percent, it quickly becomes obvious how dips in form can result from lack of hydration.
Studies have shown that if the brain suffers from one percent dehydration, its performance can drop by five percent. So if you experience a drop in five percent hydration that will affect your cognitive function and decision making ability by up to twenty percent. And that’s only five percent. Other studies have shown that consistent hydration can help prevent Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and many other diseases and ailments; not just a double bogey/double bogey run after a steady string of pars.
We are treated to fabulous weather almost year round in Portugal, with wonderful sun- filled days which can lead to serious hydration issues. So now the awkward bit - how do you know when you are dehydrated? Feeling thirsty isn’t good enough because it’s too late at that stage. Unfortunately, we have to go to the water works.
Some scientists have had the unsavoury task of studying this area and boy I don’t envy them at all. But they have learned some interesting truths about this unpleasant business. So here we go; if you are well hydrated your urine should be mostly clear with perhaps a tinge of yellow; if your water is yellow, chardonnay (never again will I look at wine the same again) or orange you are showing significant signs of dehydration. This means your ability to concentrate has been severely compromised; your brain isn’t working as well as it could.
As you may be aware, I work with all levels of players, tournament professionals to total beginners. They are all prone to the effects of dehydration. These are the fail safe precautions to avoid sludgy thought and poor performance: Take plenty of water on before, during and after the round. If you are having to “go” a little more than usual, then good! I know the boys reading this will have little problems with the consequences. Ladies, I am sorry, but on the plus side there do seem to be a higher proportion of on course facilities here in Portugal.
They say, 2.7 litres for women and 3.7 litres for men is the daily-recommended amount. If playing golf in the heat, over 75 degrees, this means you should significantly increase this intake. Everybody is different so by using the colour grading scale above you should be able to maintain good hydration, consistent golf performance and some very useful long-term health benefits.
We are at BLiP next month so if you fancy coming to see what we are able to offer, we would love to chat with you.
Next time - nutrition.