How much effect...

[SVonhof]

Do you guys think drinking the night before has on your round?

I have read in Golf Digest a few times about how the night before a big round, you will be a better golfer if you get to bed early and have un-interrupted sleep (don't share a bed with anyone),  drink 2 glasses of water before bed, drink 2 glasses of water as soon as you wake up and have a small breakfast and if it's cold outside, take a hot shower to loosen the muscles and then continue to stay hydrated during the round.

So, alcohol actually works to dehydrate your body and your brain and most of the time when people drink, they are not drinking water.

Friday night, my wife and I had wine with our dinner and then some after dinner drinks as well. Saturday morning, I woke up and went out to the course. It was cold out and I didn't take a long hot shower before going out and definatly didn't have enough fluids in me, and I couldn't get things going on the course until at least the 7th hole and then things fell apart a few holes later but then came back in spurts.

So, how much does it effect your game?

[ASK3L]

are you speaking a few drinks or getting hammered? A few drinks doesn't cause me any poor effect and it sounds more like the cold early start was your problem. Now going out after i get hammered, everything is fine until 6-8 then the body starts complaining and you can't get the fluid and sugar level right, game goes to bits but returns for the last few holes. Then back to the bar and start again 

[Cwebb]

Really, if you're hung over and feel like crap, you won't perform to your full ability in anything that you attempt.

[Jetlv25]

I think alot depends on your age and what your body is used to.  The advice in the article is good for any activity where you want to do your best the following day.

[NewJerichoMan]

Really, if you're hung over and feel like crap, you won't perform to your full ability in anything that you attempt.

I disagree. 

Signed,
David Wells and Babe Ruth

[ASK3L]

My 1st reply answered the question of how it effected my game.
Referring to the article and how to approach a big game, Obviously you don't get hammered and spend the night shagging the wife.
But you should stick to a normal routine with no big changes, your mind and body are more relaxed doing your normal. If you would normally have a wine with dinner, do it. Relax with a few beers, do it. 3 or 4 units should have no real effect on your body. If it's cold do something to keep warm, shower as you say, up the car temp going there and keep a few layers on to get you started. Get fluid in before you start, have some food, graze as you are playing, no nasty sugar spikes. It's all about common sense

[ASK3L]

I disagree. 

Signed,
David Wells and Babe Ruth

I agree,

John Daly

[SVonhof]

I wasn't "hammered" as I rarely ever do that (maybe twice in my life would I say I was "hammered") but I was "happy" for a while. I didn't go to be dizzy or anything, never close to throwing up, so I was tipsy, but not drunk. I wouldn't have gone out driving by any means though.

When it's cold out, I always have a hard time until I warm up and for me, that's probably one reason why my handicap normally goes up during the winter months. I get out in the cold and everything goes right or only 5 feet off the ground for the first few holes.

[Desmond]

Alcohol can inhibit your ability to get a good night's sleep -- depending, of course, on how soon you went to sleep after drinking. Rest will help your game (generally). Drinking water before bed is a great idea if you're young -- the middle aged guys will have their sleep interrupted 2-3 times during the night.

[billybaroo]

Alcohol in your body from the night before *does* have a negative impact on you, quantifying it would be tough though.  Anyone who says they can perform any physical activity at 100% of their normal level after tying one on is lying. 

Lack of restful sleep, dehydration, and the other assorted impact of too much booze adds up to poor performance.   

[Hungsolo]

I agree with mr des. Two glasses of water would guarantee that I'd be up to pee

[bogeycentral]

If I really want to play my best I make sure to have a few drinks the night before. If it is an early morning round, I will make sure to make a screwdriver before I head to the course. It calms me down and I know I can't swing all out. For some reason swinging easier helps me shoot better scores. Also a drink during or before I go play works well too as it calms me down. There is a diminishing point of no return, but you have to find out where that limit is for you between being able to function and not stand up unassisted.

[billybaroo]

If I really want to play my best I make sure to have a few drinks the night before. If it is an early morning round, I will make sure to make a screwdriver before I head to the course. It calms me down and I know I can't swing all out. For some reason swinging easier helps me shoot better scores. Also a drink during or before I go play works well too as it calms me down. There is a diminishing point of no return, but you have to find out where that limit is for you between being able to function and not stand up unassisted.

If that post isn't made in jest I suggest some counseling for an alcohol problem.   

[ASK3L]

If that post isn't made in jest I suggest some counseling for an alcohol confidence problem.   

FIXED

[NewJerichoMan]

Alcohol in your body from the night before *does* have a negative impact on you, quantifying it would be tough though.  Anyone who says they can perform any physical activity at 100% of their normal level after tying one on is lying. 

Lack of restful sleep, dehydration, and the other assorted impact of too much booze adds up to poor performance.   

Every "physical activity" has a mental component to it.  Believing is at least as important as being physical able to do something.  How many times has a sick or hurt player played out of their head in the big game despite not being 100% physically.  MJ's "flu game" in game 5 against Utah in the NBA championship was his best game ever in the NBA finals.  Wells threw his only "perfect game" despite being hungover.  

Bottom line: you can't predict performance.  Generally, alcohol is a bad idea but it certainly isn't a showstopper.  Some days are just better than others, and the correlation with one's physical being is specious at best.  This is especially true of golf.  Typical golfers do not peak in their 20's when they are at the height of their physical powers but rather in their 30's when their at the height of their mental and physical powers.  

Later,
David

[bogeycentral]

If that post isn't made in jest I suggest some counseling for an alcohol problem.   

Notice the first line of the post: If I want to play my best

I never practice and just enjoy getting out there to have a good time more than anything. Learning to control your temper really makes the whole experience much more enjoyable for you and all of those around you. Much of the time we get out there and play we are selfish in forgetting that our negative behavior doesn't just affect us, but can ruin your playing partners game too. If alcohol helps you relax a little, then by all means enjoy a cocktail on the links.

Its not a confidence thing for the reason I drink, I enjoy a good buzz, but not the point where I am inebriated. If alcohol helps you relax to get out there and have a good time. You will never play your best every time, sober or intoxicated, but it certaintly isn't a show stopper. Just know your limits, but I think there is a difference between getting sloshed and have a couple drinks in terms of performance.

[bogeycentral]

Well I have my first round of a match play golf tournament starting in a little over an hour. Better grab a drink first and then hit the showers. 

[billybaroo]

Every "physical activity" has a mental component to it.  Believing is at least as important as being physical able to do something.  How many times has a sick or hurt player played out of their head in the big game despite not being 100% physically.  MJ's "flu game" in game 5 against Utah in the NBA championship was his best game ever in the NBA finals.  Wells threw his only "perfect game" despite being hungover.  

Bottom line: you can't predict performance.  Generally, alcohol is a bad idea but it certainly isn't a showstopper.  Some days are just better than others, and the correlation with one's physical being is specious at best.  This is especially true of golf.  Typical golfers do not peak in their 20's when they are at the height of their physical powers but rather in their 30's when their at the height of their mental and physical powers.  

Later,
David

And that sick guy very well could have played better were their body not being impaired with the lingering after effect of alcohol.  The problem is there is no way to emphatically prove one way or the other as you can't replicate the scenario for comparison. 
 
I don't care how mentally tough you are, it can't overcome the known symptoms of a hangover.  Mental toughness often comes with years and years of physical practice...hmmm, you think there is a link there?

Perhaps the snake oil charlatans could try a magnetic bracelet while they are at it.    

[NewJerichoMan]

And that sick guy very well could have played better were their body not being impaired with the lingering after effect of alcohol.  The problem is there is no way to emphatically prove one way or the other as you can't replicate the scenario for comparison. 
 
I don't care how mentally tough you are, it can't overcome the known symptoms of a hangover.  Mental toughness often comes with years and years of physical practice...hmmm, you think there is a link there?

Perhaps the snake oil charlatans could try a magnetic bracelet while they are at it.    

Which sick guy you talking about?  MJ or Wells.  Find a NBA Finals game where MJ played better than that the "flu game".  It ain't a small sample size.  Find another perfect game on Wells' resume.  That's an even bigger sample size. 

Lots of players have had big games when they were "under the weather".  They adjust their expectations, stay within themselves.  Golf is a game more between the ears than either baseball or basketball.  Staying within oneself will often lead to the best rounds. 

It's simply prudish to assert that alcohol has a negative effect and adds up to "poor performance."

Later,
David

[ASK3L]

Notice the first line of the post: If I want to play my best

I never practice and just enjoy getting out there to have a good time more than anything. Learning to control your temper really makes the whole experience much more enjoyable for you and all of those around you. Much of the time we get out there and play we are selfish in forgetting that our negative behavior doesn't just affect us, but can ruin your playing partners game too. If alcohol helps you relax a little, then by all means enjoy a cocktail on the links.

Its not a confidence thing for the reason I drink, I enjoy a good buzz, but not the point where I am inebriated. If alcohol helps you relax to get out there and have a good time. You will never play your best every time, sober or intoxicated, but it certaintly isn't a show stopper. Just know your limits, but I think there is a difference between getting sloshed and have a couple drinks in terms of performance.

I have no problem with any quantity of alcohol that anyone might enjoy, though if any is required to overcome any anxiety and become in the mental state they need, then that is a problem. Alcohol used for that purpose is a performance enhansing drug, just the same as EPO, steroids or beta blockers, you name it thay are all the same. Doesn't the PGA have alcohol as a banned substance?

[billybaroo]

Which sick guy you talking about?  MJ or Wells.  Find a NBA Finals game where MJ played better than that the "flu game".  It ain't a small sample size.  Find another perfect game on Wells' resume.  That's an even bigger sample size. 

Lots of players have had big games when they were "under the weather".  They adjust their expectations, stay within themselves.  Golf is a game more between the ears than either baseball or basketball.  Staying within oneself will often lead to the best rounds. 

It's simply prudish to assert that alcohol has a negative effect and adds up to "poor performance."

Later,
David

Either Wells or MJ could have performed better w/o booze in them.  Wells didn't throw a perfect game did he?  Did MJ shoot 100% FG, 3pt, and FT?  By your logic they both would play better if they drank before every game as you are implying there is a direct linkage between the after effects and their performance in these examples.  How many poor games did Wells have when he was hungover?  Who knows, perhaps he won't admit to how much he sucked when he drank too much the night before.  Did MJ ever sit out a game when he was sick?  Why?  As he obviously plays best when he has the flu...from your sample size of 1.

People who have a great game because they stay within themselves means then know their body is not 100% capable of doing what it normally could do without the alcohol and have to limit themselves.   

It is simply ignorance to think alcohol benefits the body and leads to superior performance. 

[NewJerichoMan]

Either Wells or MJ could have performed better w/o booze in them. 

Now, that's simple ignorance.  They could have played better yet in their long illustrious careers they never did.  Hmmm...

Wells didn't throw a perfect game did he? 

Uhhmmm...actually he did.  Read the final box score, no hits, no runs, no errors.   

Did MJ shoot 100% FG, 3pt, and FT?

Did he ever do it when he was 100%?  Nope.  As I said, you'll be hard pressed to find a better game from MJ in the finals than the "flu game". 

By your logic they both would play better if they drank before every game as you are implying there is a direct linkage between the after effects and their performance in these examples. 

Surely not.  As I said previously, "Bottom line: you can't predict performance."

It is simply ignorance to think alcohol benefits the body and leads to superior performance. 

Simply ignorance or too much prudish brain washing going on?  Golf and alcohol went hand-in-hand back in the day.  I'm sure players such as Trevino, Palmer and the like-kind never brandished a drink the night before a big round.  Perish the thought, oh my.  Recreational drugs use to be all the rage in the '70's.  Now it's performance enhancing ones.   

Lots of antedotal evidence of players sipping a tall one to calm the nerves. 

Later,
David   

[ShaneNZ]

i reckon it works the only problem is convincing someone to drop you off at the course in the morning as you are still over the limit to drive  i putt better after 2 or 3 beers when it is a social tournament.

[Cwebb]

I disagree. 

Signed,
David Wells and Babe Ruth

Are you hung over today?   

[wenoG]

If I really want to play my best I make sure to have a few drinks the night before. If it is an early morning round, I will make sure to make a screwdriver before I head to the course. It calms me down and I know I can't swing all out. For some reason swinging easier helps me shoot better scores. Also a drink during or before I go play works well too as it calms me down. There is a diminishing point of no return, but you have to find out where that limit is for you between being able to function and not stand up unassisted.

I'm the same way......the bigger the round of golf is, the more nervous I get......having a few beers during the round really calms my nerves down and lets me play better, but there is a point of no return.  Two to three a side seems to work pretty well, as long as I'm not playing 36....:-)  I wouldn't call it an addiction, just a way to help me relax a little.....