Optimal Hydration...

 Susan Kundrat , MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, is the Sports Dietitian at the University of Illinois and President of Nutrition on the Move, Inc.

Susan wrote the following article that I thought was extremely important for my viewers to take the time and read.

OPTIMAL HYDRATION
The need for golfers to hydrate cannot be stressed enough as players are outside, often in hot weather, for hours at a time. Just a one-percent loss in bodyweight from dehydration increases the heart rate. And a two-percent drop in bodyweight from dehydration can begin to affect performance significantly--including impaired motor skills and cognitive thinking.

Going into play well hydrated and sticking to a hydration schedule is imperative. As a general rule, after their pre-round meal that includes fluids, golfers should plan to drink at least eight ounces of fluid every hour leading up to play, and at least eight to 16 ounces of water or sports drink every four to five holes.
"Starting the round hydrated and staying that way is important," says Melinda Valliant, PhD, RD, CSSD, Sports Dietitian at the University of Mississippi. "While it's a low intensity sport, NCAA golfers are required to walk the course and commonly play 36 holes a day. Getting in adequate fluids leading up to play can really make a difference once the golfers get on the course."

Although some golfers prefer water, sports drinks are generally a better choice because of the added carbohydrates and electrolytes. Water may work just fine on cooler days when players are not sweating excessively, as long as they are taking in enough carbohydrates through consistent snacks during the round. The key is to ingest at least 30 grams of carbohydrates per hour, or 16 ounces of sports drink over nine holes.
In hot, humid weather, fluid intake may need to be doubled. When golfers are noticeably sweating, sports drinks are a better choice than water because of their ability to replace electrolytes, especially sodium. Players should consider storing powdered sports drink packets in their bags so they can mix them into their water bottle on the course, depending on conditions.

In moderate amounts, caffeinated drinks can be an advantage for players since caffeine may enhance alertness, but golfers should experiment with caffeinated drinks in practice before utilizing them during competition. Too much caffeine can have negative effects like jitteriness, shakiness, or an inability to concentrate. 

A 2009 study from Northumbria University in England supports golfers consuming sports drinks containing carbohydrates and a small amount of caffeine. Researchers had 20 male golfers each play a round of golf, with the players consuming two different fluids before playing the sixth and 12th holes. The double-blind study found that the golfers who drank a carbohydrate-caffeine drink (6.4 grams carbohydrate and 16 milligrams caffeine per 100 milliliters) improved their putting performance and experienced lower perceived mental fatigue when compared to those who consumed a no-energy, flavor-matched placebo beverage. 

Golfers should also vary hydration plans in different climates to figure out how to maintain hydration levels. For example, in cooler weather, six to eight ounces of water or a sports drink may be adequate every four to five holes, whereas in hot weather, 12 to 16 ounces of fluid in that time is more appropriate. When the weather is both hot and humid, some golfers will need to bump up their hydration plan to 20 or more ounces every four to five holes, being sure to drink at every hole. 

It's always best for a golfer to try out their hydration plan during practice rounds and plan ahead to be sure they know what to take in and when. Players can periodically weigh themselves before and after playing in different weather conditions leading up to a tournament to adjust intake and keep weight loss to less than one to two percent of bodyweight during the round.

Can Martin Kaymer Hold On????

With two rounds left of the US Open will Martin Kaymer be able to hold on?

In an article written by Ewan Murray at Pinehurst for the The Guardian on Friday he wrote: “It is debatable which group would be more annoyed by Martin Kaymer’s Friday Pinehurst procession: the remainder of the field or the office bearers at the United States Golf Association.   Kaymer’s grip on the 114th US Open has tightened to the extent that this is now his tournament to lose. A flawless second round of 65, his second in a row, created a US Open record for a 36-hole aggregate score. Kaymer sits at 10-under par, with a “catch me if you can” sign pinned on his back.”  This is not what the USGA thought would happen going into this tournament.  They thought that this course would challenge the players differently then other courses.  

The last player to reach double-digits under par heading into the weekend of a US Open was also the first: Rory McIlroy at Congressional in 2011. The Northern Irishman eventually won by eight.

 “It’s just very, very satisfying,” Kaymer added. “I said to my caddie there were a couple of shots today that I was surprised how good they were, because I was not expecting to hit it that close.”

It must be recognized that Kaymer was playing in relatively favourable conditions. Two-thirds of an inch of rain fell on Pinehurst No2 during a thunderstorm on Thursday night, thereby softening the course for the second round’s early starters to an extent that the USGA would not have wanted.

 

McIlroy, at one-under, still has aspirations of glory. His second-round 68 included a fine back nine of 33. Ian Poulter is level par, one clear of the defending champion, Justin Rose.

This tournament is coming down to the importance of a short game and the touch that comes with it.  I feel extremely sad for Phil Mickelson as the putts did not seem to want to drop for him yesterday.

 

Enjoy the last two rounds of the US Open.  Having got engaged at Pinehurst this course holds a very special place in my heart.  I love the history and passion that is put into this tournament and couldn’t be more excited that its being played at Pinehurst.

Rory McIlroy Calls Off Wedding.....

Only a few days after sending out wedding invitations, golfer Rory McIlroy broke off his engagement to Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday.
Uncomfortable and subdued, the two-time major winner spoke about the decision ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, only a few hours after first announcing the split in a statement.

"It is quite a difficult time for Caroline and myself, and the statement really said it all this morning," McIlroy said at Wentworth. "It was mutual and we both thought it was the best for us, the best for both of us. Time to move on, and I've said all that I need to say."

The 25-year-old McIlroy and 23-year-old Wozniacki have been dating since 2011. They were engaged on New Year's Eve in Australia.

"Look, I'm no different than anyone else," Rory said. "Everyone has been through breakups, and it's obviously very, very difficult. But look, I'm here to try and concentrate on this week and answer questions about golf, and that's what I'm going to do."

Both McIlroy and Wozniacki have been the top-ranked player in their respective sports, but Wozniacki has not won a major title. McIlroy won his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open, and then added another a year later at the U.S. PGA Championship.
In the earlier statement, McIlroy took the blame for the breakup.

"The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn't ready for all that marriage entails," McIlroy said. "I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we've had. I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting."

Well Rory good decision since we don't want you to become another statistic off the golf course.

Golf Trivia Challenge.....

One of my members sent this to me and I just knew I had to share it will all my loyal readers.  It’s a golf quiz and every time you get a question right you get a hole in one.  If you answer the question incorrectly you only hit it as far as a pitch shot and you count your total for how many shots each hole you have.

So please take the time to do this quiz it has some great questions.  I only got one wrong so see if you can beat me!!

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/golf/golfquiz/html/brand.htm 

Scott Stinson: Article on Sponsorships....

 

Today’s post focuses on the difficulty and expense it takes to become a pro golfer.  I found the perfect example of this with Andrew Par who is now 31 years old and is from London, Ontario.  Since 2007 Andrew has played in numerous pro tour events all over the world.  Scott Stinson had a fantastic interview with Andrew and I wanted to share it with my viewers.

We all know golf is a unique sport but Scott has put it on its own page with the following comments: “Unlike team sports, where minor leaguers at least have a steady paycheque and a franchise that covers expenses like travel and meals, golf is ruthlessly capitalist. You make what you earn, but it takes money to try to earn it.”

“You need about $75,000 for a season,” says Parr, speaking over the phone from San Francisco. Plane tickets, car rentals, hotels, food: all of it the golfer has to pay out of pocket, and with no promise of money earned at the end of the week. For that, the player has to make the cut. “It can cost 25 grand just to get a caddy to sign on for a year,” Parr says. “And if you miss the cut, you probably just spent two or three grand for that week with nothing coming back. So, yeah, it does take a lot of money.”

Young golfers are usually fronted with money from a mix of sources: small sponsorship deals, often from hometown companies, donations from the community or straight-up investors. A friend of his, Parr says, secured a group of 20 investors who put in $5,000 a year for three years. That gave him $300,000 of seed money, which is great, but that also needs to be paid back. Fewer than 100 players earned more than $55,000 on the Web.com Tour, one step below the PGA, last season, so it’s not like easy riches await.
“Most guys are paying back 80 to 90% of any cheque they get in the first few years,” says Parr.

It really puts into perspective how much pressure is on these guys and why they react the way they do on the golf course.

Bubba + Waffle House= Masters Winner....

There’s nothing like starting off the golf season with the Masters.  I can’t imagine a better way to showcase golf and its tradition.  I love absolutely everything about the Masters.  I love the hype, the beautiful scenery, the fabulous outfits, the meltdowns, the roars, and the passion.  

This years masters lived up to all my expectations.  We had some serious meltdowns that I wont even address…cough Rory getting beat by the Club Champion of Augusta..cough.  We had some fantastic outfits thanks to Rickie Fowler and we had a variety of leaders throughout the four days which goes to show you anything and I mean anything can happen on Masters weekend.

Before I get to congratulate Bubba I want to give a shout out to Jordan Spieth.  You played so well and everybody says of you have so much time ahead of you and you do but just know we are proud of you for never backing down and making the win for Bubba not too easy.  I know you will be back and even better for your next tournament so keep fighting...

Now on to the champion and the name buzzed around 220 countries BUBBA WATSON.  I am a big fan of Bubba.  I am so pleased that he was able to come back and win after last years disappointing showing.  I also want to point out that he is a Ping player and I love everything Ping. 

"After giving it away last year, I wanted it back," Watson said. "I told Adam we could just swap it back and forth every year."

Where else would Bubba Watson go after winning the Masters but the Waffle House? At about 1:30 in the morning, Watson, his wife Angie and several friends hit a Waffle House somewhere near Augusta National to celebrate.