Many golfers spend a lot of time and money doing various things to get better scores and improve their golf game. This could be anything from getting swing lessons to buying shiny new gear. But something a lot of golfers overlook is making sure they are properly fueled for peak performance during a round of golf. Energy bars offer a quick and convenient solution to this, but which one is the best? Let’s find out together!
What Should You Eat Throughout a Round of Golf?
A round of golf is a long and tiring experience. If you walk the course for a full round, you are likely to burn somewhere between 1200 to 1600 calories. If you don’t eat enough during such a round, you will start getting tired and your performance may drop.
The best way to make sure you have enough energy to last the whole round is to eat a good breakfast and bring plenty of snacks with you. Protein bars, fruit, and nuts are all good options. You’ll also want to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you can, try to avoid eating anything heavy or greasy, as it will make you feel sluggish.
If you want to get more serious, you should study what pro golfers eat during a round. Tiger Woods has often been seen on course munching on a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Others, such as Phil Mickelson, like almonds.
To get more scientific, you want some healthy carbohydrates (such as complex carbohydrates from fruit and vegetables) that will quickly break down into glucose in your bloodstream, that will give you the energy you need. Protein and fat can take more time to break down and digest into energy, so be aware of this when choosing your golfing snacks.
The final thing to say about eating during a round of golf is to eat a little but often. This will keep you fuelled without weighing you down.
My Top 5 Energy Bar Picks for Golfers
All of these bars can be viewed over at Amazon by clicking the product image.
1. KIND Bars, Fruit & Nut, Gluten Free, Low Sugar
Kind Bars are a healthy snack alternative that comes in a variety of flavors. They are gluten-free and have low sugar content, making them a good choice for people with dietary restrictions. The bars are made with real fruit and nuts, and are a good source of fiber and protein.
When you look at the ingredients list of this particular bar, you are getting something packed with apricots, sultanas, almonds and peanuts. All in a convenient and quick to eat bar.
As stated above, as a golfer, you don’t want to go overboard on the protein that is slower to break down. This bar has a good balance, but leans more on the complex carbohydrates side than a lot of bars.
2. Health Warrior Chia Bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter
Health Warrior Chia Bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter are a great source of energy without going crazy on the protein 🙂 They are also vegan and gluten-free. These bars are perfect for on the go and make a great snack whilst on your favorite golf course! They are made with real ingredients and taste delicious. I highly recommend trying these bars if you are looking for a healthy snack that will give you good energy levels whilst golfing.
They do come in several flavors, too. If you don’t like the sound of this one, I would recommend their Acai Berry bar instead. All come with oodles of chia seeds, which make a great ingredient for the type of energy you need whilst golfing.
3. PROBAR – bite Organic Energy Bar [Mixed Berry]
I was excited to try the Probar Bite Organic Energy Bar in the Mixed Berry flavor. The bar is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. It is made with organic ingredients and has a good nutritional profile for golfers.
These bite size energy bars are perfect for quick snacking whilst on the golf course. And, in a market segment where flavor is always that great, this ProBar Mixed Berry bar actually tastes pretty good. Just be aware that this particular mix of ingredients doesn’t do well in very cold climates, turning it from a lovely oat bar type consistency into a rock hard slab 🙂
4. PROBAR – Meal Bar, Superfood Slam
You think I just accidentally added the same bar twice, what with this being a ProBar too, however this was no mistake! This is titled the ‘meal bar’, meaning it has all the great qualities as the bite bar above, but in a bigger size. If you think you are going on a particularly gruelling round of golf or are a particularly energetic style of golfer, this bar would save you from having to open several small bars. Simply open one and snack on it around the course.
As you can see, I like the Superfood Slam variety but they have other flavors that you may like more personally. Whatever flavor you choose, the energy delivery and balance are similar. And, as with the bite bar above, I think ProBar does a good job of giving us a decent flavor alongside all that required nutrition!
5. That’s it. Apple + Pear 100% Natural Real Fruit Bar
Last but certainly not least, we have the ‘That’s it’ apple and pear energy bar. This is the perfect antidote to those of us that want energy but don’t want all those other ingredients that many typical energy bars are made up of.
This bar is made up of 100% natural ingredients- just apples and pears! This makes it a great choice for those with allergies or intolerances to other ingredients commonly found in energy bars. It is also gluten-free and vegan.
This bar is perfect for those who want a simple, natural energy boost without any fuss. It tastes great and is easy to digest, making it a good choice for those who are looking for a quick pick-me-up before or during a round of golf.
And it doesn’t come laden with all that protein that many energy bar makers assume that we all want 🙂
I know I have listed this last but often this bar (or something similar) is what I choose as a golfing pick me up more often than not these days. I think I must have energy bar fatigue or something!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep energy when playing golf?
Playing golf can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very tiring. Golfers need a lot of energy to play well, and there are a few things that they can do to keep their energy up. First, they should make sure that they are well-hydrated and that they are eating properly. They should also make sure that they are taking breaks often, and that they are getting enough sleep.
The energy bars above can play a part in the ‘eating properly’ part, as can taking a bag of nuts or a few pieces of fruit.
Whats a good snack for the golf course?
A good snack for the golf course can be anything that is easy to eat and doesn’t require a lot of cleanup. Some good options include granola bars, trail mix, or fruit snacks. It’s also a good idea to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
Why do golfers eat bananas?
Bananas are a great source of potassium, which is helpful for golfers because it can prevent muscle cramps. Bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. All of these nutrients can help keep golfers feeling energized throughout their game.