Hydration

[KenRobie]

What is the best hydration supplements for golfers today?

[Triple Putt]

I use propel sugar free packets when I golf. Usually pour one into the 1 liter water bottle.

 

You could also use normal gatorade powder if you don't count calories and don't mind the extra sugar.

[Sean2]

I like this: Amazon.com: Daylyte Electrolyte Drops | Sugar-Free Hydration Supplement for Keto Electrolytes Boost | Dehydration Relief Fast for Workout Hangover Illness & Travel Recovery | 4oz 39 Servings, Unflavored: Health & Personal Care

[LeoLeo99]

I have some squenchers for when I play in Vegas and it's over 105°F. At home in NJ, I just drink water on the course and a beer when it's over. Or maybe a beer or gatorade on the course if I'm feeling frisky.

[Jcbgt106]

I mix water and Gatorade and drink between every hole

[Tru]

Liquid I.V. Hydration MultiplierI pick these up at Costco. They’re a must have for AZ summer heat.

 

[TIM929]

Gatorade is cool, but I learned as a youth that hydration starts the night before a big event.

[Warrior42111]

as @TIM929 said it starts before, your body can only handle so much water per hour before just dumping everything out and not even hydrating you.
I prefer water the day before then mostly water and during I usually mix between waters and a body armor drink mid round to get some electrolytes back.

[Soloman1]

According to research, these common fluids are best for hydrating and ranked from most:

Skim milkOral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte or Liquid I.V.)Full fat milkOrange juiceColaDiet ColaCold teaTeaSports drinkStill waterSparkling waterLagerCoffee

[jimb6golf]

I've been using NUUN tablets for several years now and feel they work very well. No sugar high like you get from Gatorade or similar products. As someone who can feel terrible with the hot weather, the NUUN tablets seem to work well and I tend to alternate NUUN with a second bottle of water throughout the round. I use a Hydroflask to keep water cold especially as the NUUN tablets tend to taste a little worse with warmer water. Without the tablets I would have a tough time in hotter weather. Plus they're pretty inexpensive when compared to Gatorade too.

[Tru]

Exactly. It’s actually days before the event but you hit the nail on the head. Always be hydrated. I see way too many people here out hiking who don’t drink enough fluids regularly, and think that one bottle of water is going to be enough. It comes back to bite them in a bad way. Rescues happen often on desert trails.

[scooterhd2]

12 posts before we get to Coors Lite. smh.

[GoGoErky]

Drinking 1/2 to 1 gallon of water every day is a start. Then having something that replaces electrolytes when sweating. Having good snacks while in the course also goes a long way

[TIM929]

yes, once you hit the ER with heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or heat fatigue, you are more likely to get it often they say.

[Albatross85]

Salt and potassium are the most important electrolytes to "feel" good and avoid muscle fatigue.

Lite Salt (1/2 salt, 1/2 potassium) is great. 1/4 tsp with some MIO in a 20oz bottle of water.

Zip Fizz is also great and packs tons of potassium with no sugar.

[KenRobie]

Do they fit through the top of a normal plastic water bottle?

[KenRobie]

My biggest thing is lower leg cramps after I'm done for the day and that's with lots of water the night before.

[johnrobison]

I have chronic leg/foot cramps as well and my understanding is that the focus should be more on electrolyte replenishment than just hydration in general. In fact, there was a study done showing that drinking purely water after dehydration would actually increase the probability of cramping! Introducing electrolytes decreased it. Certainly dehydrating leads to electrolyte depletion, so we want to avoid that for sure. But focusing more on sodium & potassium chlorides, and glucose replenishment is the real key.

Also, FWIW... Some of us are just prone to cramps, especially after over-working the muscles, regardless of hydration and electrolytes. A good amount of evening leg stretching can help some.

[hoselpalooza]

this is fascinating; i would not've guessed skim milk would be at the top of the list! could you share your source for this info? thanks, @Soloman1!

[Hawkeye77]

Yep - take it from a serial cramper who never learns even though it is cold during hunting season pre-hydration is a thing! Nothing worse than waking up at 3 in the morning walking off cramps of all sorts in a freezing motel room in the middle of nowhere South Dakota while my old dog not so sympathetically moves to what he perceives as an even warmer part of the bed the rules say he can't be on, lol. I learned on a short trip with the pup last winter he really does watch me with real concern - wife says he'll get over it, she did.

[Man_O_War]

skimmed milk....wow

[Soloman1]

Info:https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/health/best-drinks-for-hydration-wellness/index.html

[hoselpalooza]

@Soloman, thank you for sharing. it appears another benefit of hydrating with milk is less frequent urination. good for both the golf course and before bed the night prior.

[GoGoErky]

Eat peanuts and banana on the course. If you aren’t drinking enough water every day loading up on it the night before is just helping you body catch up and not actually hydrating you properly

[PalmettoDawg5]

One a round or do you adjust to weather?

[Nels55]

I walk and carry three thermos bottles of water and a jar of peanuts or almonds mixed with raisins. On a really hot day which is in the 80s to 90s here I will get to the third thermos bottle but most days only the second. Maybe not ideal but seems to work okay for me.

[Triple Putt]

Depends on the weather. Sometimes two a round if I don't buy a Gatorade at the turn. It can be brutal here in the summer. 115+

In the cooler weather, I will usually just drink water throughout the round and a michelada at the turn (depending on how I'm scoring lol)

 

I try to start drinking water the night before though but that isn't always feasible.

[llewol007]

Hydration also includes replenishing electrolytes. Drink some gatorade, power aide whatever liquid that has it. You can literally make your own with flavored water and a pinch of salt.

[gsrjc]

I use biosteel and eat peanuts or pretzels 

[MFBach]

Hydration is important, but if you’re playing a round on a sweltering 95* Saturday in the South with 90% humidity… and might have had a beverage or two on Friday night, rehydration is what you need. Gatorade and other electrolyte beverages contain too much sugar and not enough sodium. 
 

Pedialyte, Liquid IV, or other replenishment solutions are ideal, but need to be supplemented with two bottles of water in order to properly hydrate. Light snacks also help retain energy… as mentioned, nuts of most any kind, fruit, PBJ, or anything else that holds up reasonable well in the heat or a cooler will go a long way without weighing heavy during the height while also help your body retain fluids.