best energy bars!!

Peterdalkey

As I get older, I am a 1952 model, I seem to get rather weary over the last 3 or 4 holes especially on longer courses,Ii now hate an uphill 18th!! I do drink water on the way around, perhaps I need to get some slow release energy bars into me to keep me going or maybe just a Mars bar is the way to go for the sugar rush!!

Any suggestions as to what you have found good?

Dr_Colossus

How much water would you typically drink over 18 holes of a "summer's" day. A lot of people say they drink water but often don't finish their one and only 500ml bottle. Staying well hydrated I think is key in terms of maintaining concentration rather than helping energy levels but it does help in that department also.

I'd keep away from the Mars bar unless playing the 18th, better off to stick with bananas (the more starchy green/yellow variety than the high sugar ripe yellow/black variety). In terms of convenience/taste I also find the Nature Valley granola bars very good, I'd usually buy a number of boxes when they're on special offer for €2 or lately they introduced a larger 12 pack box for an introductory offer of something like €3.45.

When playing I'd usually have breakfast or similar meal an hour and a half before tee time and thereafter usually find a banana, granola bar and 1.5 - 2 litres of water keeps me going. If playing an away course with a longer drive or practice before tee time I'd usually bring a sandwich and eat this on the course over the opening 9 holes and save the banana/granola bar for the back 9.

I used to carry a jumbo bag of red skin peanuts (good source of protein and carbs) in the bag and have a fistful every few holes but got out of that practice lately for no particular reason. Might re-introduce that again as more convenient to buy than bananas that quickly ripen and can cause a mess if forgotten about.

Peterdalkey

Thanks Dr C, very comprehensive reply. Water max 1 litre in summer per round... probably not enough. I never pee during a round! I have used the NW granola bars but while they are very nice. I never feel any particular boost! The nuts seem like a really good idea, and are ideal for "grazing" which is probably the best way to keep energy levels up, a bit like it being too late to hydrate when you are already feeling thirsty.

Might go back to porridge before early morning golf, tend to take Weetabix in summer.

cheers

Peter

Dr_Colossus

Peterdalkey wrote: »

I have used the NW granola bars but while they are very nice. I never feel any particular boost!

Might go back to porridge before early morning golf, tend to take Weetabix in summer.

I don't think a boost is something you should be looking for in terms of energy as a boost will often be followed by a lull which is never fun or likely to help with the task at hand. That's the main reason I'd stay away from chocolate and other high sugar foods during a round of golf, best to keep things as natural as possible.

With regards the water intake an option would be to include a bottle of sports drink similar to gatorade or powerade in the bag which should help replenish some of the lost salt through sweat. I don't feel the need for this myself as most food is already high in salt and the drinks themselves are quite expensive. Instead I do include a bottle of no-added sugar cordial along with the water bottle in the golf bag which helps with the fluid intake.

You can't beat the porridge alright in terms of a natural slow releasing food and while I always eat it midweek I find it slow to both cook and eat at weekends so generally stick with Weetabix or similar.

SEORG

If you want to replace some of the salt lost through sweat, simply bring a bottle of water with orange cordial with a pinch of salt added when you mix it. Works out a hell of a lot cheaper in the long run & does the same thing.

PGF

You don't need to drink until you pee. You don't need to drink X litres per hour. You only need to drink when you are thirsty. See Tim Noakes waterlogged booked. Link is about endurance sports but it gets the message across...

http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/outdoor-adventure/tim-noakes-on-the-serious-problem-of-overhydration-in-endurance-sports.html

Also, you don't need to add salt to your diet. Western diets have too much salt if anything.

Peterdalkey

PGF wrote: »

You don't need to drink until you pee. You don't need to drink X litres per hour. You only need to drink when you are thirsty. See Tim Noakes waterlogged booked. Link is about endurance sports but it gets the message across...

http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/outdoor-adventure/tim-noakes-on-the-serious-problem-of-overhydration-in-endurance-sports.html

The above is extreme in my view. We are not talking about extreme hydration here, in fact even 1.5 lirtes over a 4 hour round of golf would only equate to 375ml per hour, whereas 500-1000ml would be more typical and perhaps insufficient.

PGF

Peterdalkey wrote: »

PGF wrote: »

You don't need to drink until you pee. You don't need to drink X litres per hour. You only need to drink when you are thirsty. See Tim Noakes waterlogged booked. Link is about endurance sports but it gets the message across...

http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/outdoor-adventure/tim-noakes-on-the-serious-problem-of-overhydration-in-endurance-sports.html

The above is extreme in my view. We are not talking about extreme hydration here, in fact even 1.5 lirtes over a 4 hour round of golf would only equate to 375ml per hour, whereas 500-1000ml would be more typical and perhaps insufficient.

Extreme view? The whole 'you need to pre-hydrate' thing has only come up in the last 20-30 years. Noakes says it's bull. The South African army (dealing with life and death and not sport) doesn't advise it's soldiers to pre-hydrate or any of that nonsense. After years of study they advise the troops to drink when they are thirsty. We did ok doing that for millions of years before Lucozade can along.

Peterdalkey

PGF wrote: »

Peterdalkey wrote: »

Extreme view? The whole 'you need to pre-hydrate' thing has only come up in the last 20-30 years. Noakes says it's bull. The South African army (dealing with life and death and not sport) doesn't advise it's soldiers to pre-hydrate or any of that nonsense. After years of study they advise the troops to drink when they are thirsty. We did ok doing that for millions of years before Lucozade can along.

I never mentioned pre-hydration, just about taking water at modest and perhaps even insufficient quantities over a 4 hour+ period while playing golf. My mainn point was seeking ideas on keeping up energy levels. Sadly I am not an top/elite athlete on a special dietary regime, just an older guy who wants to get around 18 holes of golf comfortably!!

PGF

Peterdalkey wrote: »

I never mentioned pre-hydration, just about taking water at modest and perhaps even insufficient quantities over a 4 hour+ period while playing golf. My mainn point was seeking ideas on keeping up energy levels. Sadly I am not an top/elite athlete on a special dietary regime, just an older guy who wants to get around 18 holes of golf comfortably!!

You said this.. "too late to hydrate when you are already feeling thirsty." Lucozade & Powerade tell us this. An independent academic tells us otherwise...

I'm just trying to give an alternative viewpoint. If you feel you need to drink more and take in more salt then go for it.

GreeBo

I find the NV bars a bit dry, often try to finish one off just before a shot and end up chewing for 5 mins and hitting a woeful shot!

I have a bag of dried mango in the bag all the time, find its tasty and also keeps the energy levels up.
Would also go through a banana or two and a littel bit of chocky during a round.
I buy a tub of "isotonic powder" and just mix up my own drinks, a lot cheaper.


If you only drink when you pee or are thirsty you will be dehydrated.
You lose a huge amount of fluids through sweat and evaporation before you pee.
If you are not drinking enough water you wont pee much at all.

also, our brains are not very good at distinguishing between hunger and thirst as they are both controlled by the same part of the rain (hypothalamus)

Peterdalkey

PGF wrote: »

You said this.. "too late to hydrate when you are already feeling thirsty." Lucozade & Powerade tell us this. An independent academic tells us otherwise...

This typically happens after playing 7 or 8 holes, if one has not taken any water on board since the start of the round........Jayzus I never wanted to make a federal case out of this!!

PGF

Peterdalkey wrote: »

This typically happens after playing 7 or 8 holes, if one has not taken any water on board since the start of the round........Jayzus I never wanted to make a federal case out of this!!

You asked a question. While we probably strayed a bit off topic I was trying to help. I didn't agree with some of the advice been given.

GreeBo

you cant "load up" on hydration, so any idea of pre-hydration where you fill up with fluids before exercise will just result in you needing to pee.
however, you can ensure that you are always hydrated rather than get de-hydrated.

scubapro

You can't beat a bottle of coke and a snickers, hits the spot everytime:)

Trampas

Hydration should take place the day before if playing early in the day. You don't hydrate by drinking a pint of water or whatever by knocking it back as it will flow right throw you. It's all about sipping all day.

Checking the colour as you flow gives any idea. The clearer it is the more hydrated you are.

Food would be something similar where food day before is more important than the fry up before golf. Should only need small things during round to keep the hunger grows away

PGF

Trampas wrote: »

It's all about sipping all day.

Checking the colour as you flow gives any idea. The clearer it is the more hydrated you are.

"There is zero correlation between frequency or color of urination and hydration, or kidney function"

http://www.irunfar.com/2012/07/waterlogged-a-dogma-shattering-book.html

Trampas

PGF wrote: »

"There is zero correlation between frequency or color of urination and hydration, or kidney function"

http://www.irunfar.com/2012/07/waterlogged-a-dogma-shattering-book.html

You will find the opposite in loads more sites. It is just general statement

Peterdalkey

I have a feeling in my waters............!

Golfgod101

A good 'ol Terry's chocolate orange bar does the trick for me!