Health Tips, While Playing Golf (staying cool, being prepared)

Golf is a wonderful sport that brings out every type of person, representing all ages and walks of life. While it is not as physically demanding as other sports are, it is still important to make sure you are physically prepared before hitting the golf course. Here are some tips to ensure you have a safe and fun experience while knocking some balls around out on the green:

-Stay Hydrated: Everyone knows how important getting enough water is for maintaining your health. Hydration becomes more of a priority whenever you are engaging in any type of physical activity, especially one that requires you spending an extended amount of time outside in the sun. Make sure you start your day with water and you bring along sports drinks or additional water for your time on the course. Not only will this keep your body and brain happy, it will help you focus on your game.

-Sun Screen: When you are out having fun on the course with your friends it is easy to forget about protecting yourself from the sun. Wearing hats can help protect your face and wearing glasses can help shield your eyes from the sun’s brutal rays, but what about the rest of you? For extended, intense exposure to the sun, you should use a water-resistant sunscreen (so that it is resistant to your sweat) with an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF 30 filters out up to 97 percent of the sun’s UV radiation; SPF 50 filters out up to 98 percent.

-Wear Clothes That Breathe: We don’t all have a closet full of golfing shirts designed for those long days on the course. If you are going out in your regular daily clothes, make sure you wear a fabric that breathes and is a light color to avoid retaining the sun’s heat. This will help you stay comfortable and last longer out on the golf course, which in turn, will positively impact your overall game.

-Don’t Stress: Always remember, golf was designed for fun and leisure. Not every game is going to go as smoothly as the one before it, so if the game starts to slip away from you- take a deep breath, look around at the gorgeous landscape and collect yourself. Save the stress for work and allow yourself to take this time to indulge in some good old fashioned fun.