On a beautiful summer day, with the sun beating down on you, the golf course is a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors while being active. However, it is also a perfect place for dehydration to set in. Dehydration occurs when a body loses more water than it takes in. In other words, the athlete is not drinking enough fluids to keep up with the amount that they are sweating and urinating. While dehydration may seem to be a relatively small issue, if left unaddressed, it can lead to serious health issues. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms and act accordingly.
Dehydration can manifest itself with many different symptoms. Increased thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, confusion, fainting, and inability to sweat are the main symptoms to look out for (WebMD). If an athlete is exhibiting these signs, it is necessary to get fluid into them immediately. Specifically water or an electrolyte/carbohydrate-containing drink, like Gatorade (WebMD). Therefore, while on the golf course, it is highly recommended to have plenty of water and Gatorades available to try and prevent any degree of dehydration.
While impacting your physical state, dehydration negatively impacts your athletic performance. If you are dehydrated and aren’t feeling 100%, there is a high likelihood that you won’t be able to drive the ball as far, or putt with as much accuracy as usual. Therefore, keeping yourself hydrated is an easy way to work towards being the best athlete that you can be. However, staying hydrated doesn’t mean having just one glass of water at every meal. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is recommended for men to consumer 3 liters ( ~101 fluid ounces) of fluid a day, and women to consume 2.2 liters (~74 fluid ounces) of fluid per day. That is the equivalent of about 6 Poland Spring water bottles for men, and just over 4 for women. That’s a lot, so here are some helpful tips to keep you hydrated on the golf course!
Drink water BEFORE the event
Drink water DURING the event
Keep water on the cart
Keep water in your bag
Make it a habit to take a few big gulps at each hole
Drink water AFTER the event
Sources: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
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