Tournament nutrition is one of the most important aspects of your game. If you do not provide your body with the proper nutrients at the right time, you will not play as well as you’d like to, nine times out of ten. Effective nutrition preparation should begin one week before your tournament.
You might be thinking, “Why does it matter what I eat one week before I tee off?” Well, if you aren’t providing your body with the proper amount of calories, hydration, and nutrients, your body can’t adapt. You can’t expect to cram calories in the night before and perform at your highest level. Similar to studying for a test, if you cram the night before, it’s unlikely you will do well.
What should I be eating and drinking throughout the week leading up to the tournament?
Your main focus should be centering your lifestyle and eating habits around your goals. For example, if your goal is to play college or professional golf, you should eat as if you are a collegiate or professional player, rather than eating whatever and whenever you want. Throughout your day, you should focus on eating 4 to 5 whole-food meals consisting of lean protein, slow-digesting carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Hydration is key as well. A good goal for athletes is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day at a minimum on non-tournament days and even more on tournament days, including electrolytes.
What should I do 24 hours before the event?
It all starts with a nutritious dinner the night before your round. This should be a go-to meal that is high in protein, high in slow-digesting carbohydrates, contains a healthy fat source, and includes 2 servings of fruits or vegetables. A great example of this is a taco salad with 6-8 ounces of grass-fed beef, 2 cups of rice, lettuce, tomato, and whole-grain tortilla chips.
Your next meal should be 2-3 hours before your tee time. This means you need to be up at least 3 hours before your tee time, as this meal will have the greatest impact on your performance! Your plate should be high in slow-digesting carbohydrates and protein. This should be a “go-to meal,” something that won’t upset your stomach and will help you get into the tournament mindset. A great example of this is 3-4 eggs and 2 cups of oatmeal with local maple syrup paired with an apple.
During the Tournament:
- First Snack (Hole 3 or 4): The goal is to stabilize your energy levels with a small snack, moderate in protein and low in carbohydrates. Example: a few pieces of beef jerky with a banana.
- Second Snack (Between Holes 7 and 12): Maintain energy levels with a balance of carbohydrates and protein. Example: an almond butter and jelly sandwich, a turkey sandwich, or a protein bar paired with a fruit of your choice.
- Final Snack (Between Holes 15 and 16): Provide the body with fast-digesting fuel to finish strong. Example: a Snickers bar.
After the Round:
Now that the round is over, it’s time to start the recovery process for day 2 of the tournament or back to practice the next day. Replenish your glycogen stores and recover with a meal high in slow-digesting carbohydrates and protein, including healthy fats and fruits or vegetables. Example: 1-2 cups of quinoa paired with chicken or beef and 2 servings of your favorite vegetable.
How much water should I be drinking?
Hydration is another key factor in life and in golf! Most people are very dehydrated and do not come close to drinking enough water. A good rule of thumb for athletes is to always drink at least half your body weight in ounces up to 128 ounces during your day. On tournament day, start with 16 ounces of water before you tee off. During your round, drink half of your body weight in ounces, so for a 150-pound player that would be 75 ounces on the course. At dinner, you’ll need another 16-24 ounces to ensure you are hydrated and ready for round 2 or practice the next day!
Does my sleep affect my golf game?
Sleep is a big factor in performing your best in the classroom, in the gym, and on the course! If an athlete does not get at least 7-10 hours of sleep each night consistently through the week, they could feel unhappy, depressed, lethargic during workouts, sick, foggy, and under-recovered. Your nutrition game could be excellent and your hydration could be on point, but without proper sleep, you will never reach your full potential. Consistently getting 7-10 hours of sleep each night will help you perform your best on the course, in the classroom, and the gym.
Preparation is key!
If you incorporate good nutrition, substantial hydration, and proper sleep into your daily life, you will set yourself up to perform at your best every tournament!
