What to Eat on the Course: Tips from Marion
Does your swing fall apart on the last few holes? It might not be a technical issue. Marion Ricordeau points out that your mind is the first thing to give out when you don't drink or eat enough, and she offers some simple tips for making it through all 18 holes.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
When it comes to drinks, Marion Ricordeau recommends, above all, water. Energy drinks and sugary beverages cause low point spikes followed by hypoglycemia, so they should be avoided on a course that can last up to five hours. You can add a powder to your water bottle, but 1.5 to 2 liters of water are enough. As for food, she suggests dried fruits such as apricots or dates, and nuts like cashews or pistachios: they're easy to snack on, so you end up eating them without really thinking about it.
The key is consistency: Eat about every three holes, drink at each hole, or take a sip or two every two holes if that seems like too much. If you start eating early, make sure you have enough to last until the end. Because The first thing to go is your head: As soon as the brain is no longer hydrated or receiving nutrients, the swing goes haywire—not because it has become bad, but because the brain no longer really knows how to do it.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Be sure to pack 1.5 to 2 liters of water in your backpack.
- Bring enough dried fruit and nuts to last the entire hike.
- Take a sip or two at each hole, or at least every other hole.
- Eat a little bit every three holes or so.
- Keep up this steady pace until the last hole.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Drinking sugary or energy drinks that cause low point spikes.
- Eat a lot at the beginning and run out of reserves by the end of the game.
- Eating and drinking at irregular intervals.
- Believing that your swing has deteriorated when your brain is low on energy.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Packing a bag with water, dried fruit, and nuts
- Mark a sip of water at each hole
- A bite every three holes
Your Questions
What should you drink during a round of golf?
Marion Ricordeau recommends drinking mainly water—one and a half to two liters. Sugary and energy drinks cause low point spikes followed by drops.
What should you eat on the course?
Dried fruits like apricots or dates, and nuts like cashews or pistachios: they're easy to snack on, so you end up eating them without really thinking about it.
How often should you eat and drink?
Eat about every three holes and drink at every hole, or every other hole. The key is to maintain a steady pace until the end to avoid energy spikes.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Marion Ricordeau). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.