Fit for Play
Fuel for
Life
Get a grip on your diet to enhance on-course performance and longevity // by DAVE POND
“ TELL ME WHAT YOU EAT , AND I WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE .”
Those words , from storied writer G . K . Chesterson , have lived on well beyond his years — and have never meant as much as when focused on an athlete ’ s diet .
Nutrition plays an understated yet essential role in your on-course performance . What you eat before , during , and after a round is vital to your success , says Forest-based TPI , medical , and fitness professional Bobby Caughey .
“ Most people treat their car better than they treat their body ,” he said . “ If you don ’ t eat and drink the right things , you can ’ t expect your body to perform at its best .”
Caughey stresses the need to be intentional about your diet . Getting ready for a round of golf starts long before you pull into the parking lot .
“ You can ’ t just can ’ t smash a bacon , egg , and cheese biscuit and a diet drink , arrive 10 minutes before your tee time , take three practice swings and a mulligan , and wonder why it takes four holes to warm up ,” Caughey said . “ Truth be told , you won ’ t be warmed up after 18 .”
START STRONG
No matter the time of day you play , your body needs a good supply of protein and carbohydrates to perform at its best .
“ Your muscles need fuel to get you through your round ,” he said . “ For protein , opt for clean sources of food like eggs , lean meat
DANIEL MEGIAS VIA MOTION ARRAY , BIGSTOCK
36 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2022
vsga . org