I bet there isn’t a golfer reading this article whose game hasn’t been affected by the “six inches between their ears”. Many unwelcome mental stressors A.K.A. “stinkin-thinkin” could quite possibly be a result of poor hydration. Without adequate hydration, chances are both mental and physical components to your golf game are being limited.

Now let’s be sure we’re on the same page when talking about hydration. I’m referring to “ice cold H2O”, not the beverage of choice for many of you golfer’s out there, “ice cold beer”. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but alcohol and other beverages such as soda, sports drinks, and juices can actually cause the body to dehydrate and brain to lose focus. We already know that staying focused on the golf course can not only be a big challenge; it’s an even bigger challenge when you’re dehydrated. Made up of approximately 85% water, the human brain functions best when it has a sufficient supply.

The big question then is how much water should you drink? To be optimally hydrated, it is recommended that you drink ½ of your body weight in ounces per day. So if you are 150 pounds then you should be drinking 75 ounces of water per day.

Here are some H2O recommendations that Dr. Greg Rose, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute suggest for golfers to follow during a round of golf.

Drink three swigs (one big mouthful) of water per hole.

Take one swig on the tee box, one while walking to your second shot, and one on the green.

You should be refilling your water bottle every three to five holes, depending on the temperature and if you are walking or riding.

For proper sodium balance, add a pinch of Celtic Sea Salt to your water bottle at the start of the round and at the turn.