It has been said that golf started in Scotland in the 1600′s and was played with a stick and a ball from one point to another or village to village some also say the shepherds played it with their crooks and hit pebbles. The oldest golf course is located in St. Andrews and people started playing there in the 16th century. In the 18th century is when the game had started 13 rules of the game. The word Golf has been rumored to mean “Gentleman only Ladies forbidden” this is not true though. The origin of the word Golf may be from the word “Kolf” meaning stick, club or bat. The USGA (United States Golf Association) started in 1894 and following them in 1916 was the PGA ( Professional Golf Association). The first open championship took place in 1860 and back then there was no prize of money,but a red morocco leather belt with silver clasps.The first U.S. Open in 1895 had a money prize of $335 and the winner Horace Rawlins won $150 now in 2009 the Prize was $7 million with the top winner receiving $1,350,000.

There have been many rumors and different theory’s about how golf started and its history. One thing is for sure, it is now one of the most played and popular sports in the world. Golf has fans worldwide, included a strong retail, selling many golf products. Golf now at attracts golfers of all ages and skill levels. No longer is just for the older rich gentlemen; anyone can afford to play our great game of golf.

A golf conditioning program should always be accompanied by a solid golf nutrition plan. In essence, what you eat determines how you play. So, which foods produce champions and which foods hinder play? Let me give you a few hints.

It goes without saying that proper nutrition is important for all of us. But, if you are serious about shaving valuable strokes off your scorecard, you need to make some tough decisions on seeing your diet through. If you travel for golf, or play in frequent tournaments, it is important not to fall into the trap of ‘settling’ for fast food or a quick bag of chips or chocolate bar. Make a commitment to use some or all of the following tips and your energy will reach new heights in your next round.

o Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both of these are diuretics and cause fluid loss. They also both affect performance. Coffee can over stimulate your mind or your muscles, making your performance uncontrolled. Excessive consumption of alcohol severely affects your coordination.

o Avoid large amounts of food in the two hours leading up to tee time. Food in your digestive system diverts blood away from your brain and muscles, affecting concentration and physical performance. A meal two to three hours before play is preferred.

o Don’t skip meals. Golfers need that slow and steady release of energy to see them through difficult or long hours of play. Smaller meals are better to help increase metabolism.

o Eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day. This gives your body the nutrition it needs to last.

o Drink lots of water. Think in terms of 8 to 10 glasses each day. Continue throughout your round to stay hydrated especially during the summer months.

o Combine carbohydrates, proteins and fats at each meal. This aides in overall digestion and ensures you are getting the proper nutrients.

o Bring a snack or bag lunch. Beverage carts are not known for healthy choices, so don’t put yourself in a position to feel forced to rely on them.

o Avoid high processed foods or sugar based foods. They tend to raise blood sugar levels quickly and, then, drop rapidly causing fatigue.

o Stick with the basics. Don’t try new foods just before you play. Stick with what you know your body responds well to.

o Keep it simple. There is no need to make elaborate meals or go to great extent in preparation. A piece of fruit and bag of nuts will go a long way in replenishing energy when you need it.

As a golfer, especially if you are of a championship caliber, it is essential to have a wide variety of complex carbohydrates to maintain your energy through an 18-hole match or a 72-hole tournament.

Mentally your brain needs to stay conditioned to tell your body what to do, not to mention calculating distances, swing strength and maintaining focus. Follow these 10 tips and watch your scorecard drop to new lows.