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Pro Gains a Stroke, Is His Diet to Blame?

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2021

It was easy enough to discern that something was very, very off with Louis Oosthuizen. Slightly harder was figuring out what that thing was. For months, the former major winner had dealt with a maddening stretch of inconsistency, and yet nobody was quite sure why.

After diving into the data, Oosthuizen’s coach, Justin Parsons, and physiotherapist, Marnus Marais, noticed a concerning trend. In the morning, the 39-year-old’s scores were nearly a full stroke better than in the afternoon. Sure, some of that could be due to course conditions, which are generally easier in the morning than in the afternoon, but the data set was large enough to suggest there was something else at play. Even more concerning: the data seemed to suggest that the closer to contention Oosthuizen was on the weekend, the worse he’d perform — with a particular weakness appearing on the back nine.

“On the back nine, there’s a change,” Marais said at GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers Summit Monday. “There’s a change in focus and a change in shot execution. It just doesn’t make sense what’s happening in the middle of the back nine versus the end of the back nine.”

Parsons and Marais soon began theorizing how the time of day was affecting Oosthuizen’s game so significantly. Soon, Marais and Parsons remembered one of their client’s most particular idiosyncrasies: his diet.

“I noticed that Louis was a shot worse from an A.M. point to a P.M. point,” Parsons said. “He doesn’t like to eat. He’s never liked to eat during the course of play. So for a morning round, he has breakfast, and then he’s ready to play and pretty much fueled for the day. In the afternoon, he has breakfast, and then he normally starts warming up around midday or whatever. So we just saw this big decline and this big dump whenever he plays, so I said to Marnus, we’ve got to do something about this.”

Marais began researching the best course of action for Oosthuizen, who was steadfast in his reproach for mid-round snacking, and stumbled upon a unique solution.

“After working with Louis, I know he doesn’t like to eat. We always try to meet players where they are. So trying to convince Louis that he had to eat a PB&J or a turkey sandwich or whatever on the course is not a battle I am willing to take on,” Marais said. “So I just suggested, let’s just try this amino acid drink, which we can easily mix in with his hydration.”

As Marais explained, an amino acid drink would provide many of the same energy-boosting benefits of consuming food on the golf course without, y’know, actually consuming food.

“So I explained to him what was happening and I explained to him what could be the reasoning for his inconsistency down the back nine. I explained to him that the amino acids are a protein broken down and they’re easily assimilated by the body. And let’s just try this, let’s just take this drink at the turn and see what happens.”

Oosthuizen was initially hesitant, but eventually relented. Almost immediately, the results were obvious: in 2021, Oosthuizen had one of the best (and most consistent) seasons of his professional career.

“It made a significant difference, I think,” Marais said. “Everybody on his team, we all saw significant improvement from him taking that.”

This article originally appeared on Golf.com.

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Maintenance during the off season

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Resident PGA Pro

Ever wonder what kind of repairs you can do to keep your clubs in shape during the off season?

Many of us find the grips on our clubs starting to wear down and nothing brings new life into your older clubs like a new set of grips.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a small fortune having someone else do this for you, this handy DIY video by Coach Lockey will show you how to replace your grips at home. Click below and have a watch. Then see some of our suggestions for new grips you can buy today.

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Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

The BLOG MAN

Hey there, golf fans and last-minute shoppers! Can you believe it? We’re down to just 9 days until Christmas, and this year, Hanukkah also starts on the 25th, too! If you’ve got a golfer in your life, the clock is ticking to grab that perfect gift. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some amazing last-minute ideas that will arrive in time, thanks to Amazon’s super-fast shipping.

So, skip the stress and check out these top picks that will make any golfer light up like the holiday tree or menorah this year. Let’s dive in!

1. Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls

Golfers can never have too many golf balls, and Callaway’s Supersoft is one of the best around. Known for its soft feel and incredible distance, it’s perfect for players of all skill levels. Plus, it’s an easy, no-brainer gift that any golfer will appreciate.

Why it’s great:

Affordable and high-quality
Available in fun colors like yellow and matte pink
Ready to ship and arrive before the holidays

👉 Buy Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls on Amazon

2. PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer

Help the golfer in your life sharpen their short game with this ingenious training tool. The PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer is compact, effective, and ideal for indoor practice—perfect for winter days away from the course.

Why it’s great:

Builds confidence in putting
Lightweight and portable
A hit among golfers of all levels

👉 Buy PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer on Amazon

3. Golf Trunk Organizer

This gift is a game-changer for staying organized. The Samsonite Golf Trunk Organizer is perfect for stashing shoes, gloves, tees, and other golf gear in one tidy place. It’s functional, practical, and will earn you big points for thoughtfulness.

Why it’s great:

Keeps gear neat and ready for action
Fits easily in any car trunk
Arrives quickly with Prime shipping

👉 Buy Samsonite Golf Trunk Organizer on Amazon

4. Titleist Players Golf Glove

A good golf glove can make all the difference in grip and comfort, and Titleist is a trusted brand. This premium glove is a simple yet thoughtful gift that will see plenty of use on the course.

Why it’s great:

High-quality construction
Comfortable fit and feel
Available for fast shipping

👉 Buy Titleist Players Golf Glove on Amazon

5. Garmin Approach G12 GPS Rangefinder

For the tech-savvy golfer, the Garmin Approach G12 is a small but mighty gadget that provides distances to the green, hazards, and more. It clips onto a bag or belt, making it easy to use during a round.

Why it’s great:

Compact and accurate
Preloaded with 42,000 courses
Ships in time for the holidays

👉 Buy Garmin Approach G12 on Amazon

6. Funny Golf T-Shirts

Every golfer loves a little humor on the course. A witty golf-themed T-shirt is a fun, budget-friendly option that’s sure to get laughs and compliments.

Why it’s great:

Tons of designs to choose from
Budget-friendly and personal
Many options with next-day delivery

👉 Browse Funny Golf T-Shirts on Amazon

7. Practice Golf Net

A home practice net is a dream for golfers who want to perfect their swing without leaving the house. It’s the gift of endless practice, even in the off-season.

Why it’s great:

Easy to set up in a backyard or garage
Perfect for winter training
Many available for fast delivery

👉 Buy Practice Golf Net on Amazon

Don’t Wait—Act Now!

Time is running out, and the holidays are almost here! These gifts are perfect for golfers and will make it to your doorstep in time, but only if you act fast. Stock is limited, and the closer we get to the big day, the tighter the shipping windows get. Click those links, fill your cart, and cross those gifts off your list today.

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The Golfer’s Gift Guide

Unique Ideas for Dad This Christmas

Published

2 weeks ago

December 6, 2024

The Bogeyman "Boo"

Is your dad a golf nut? Christmas is the perfect time to show him how much you care with a gift that’s right up his fairway. Whether he’s a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s a perfect gift out there for every golfer. Let’s take a look at some ideas that will have him swinging with joy all year long.