Does travelling take its toll on player’s performance?
One of the questions that everyone in the golfing world asks is: does travelling take its toll on player’s performance?
The answer comes from sports doctors, trainers and commentators who have been an integral part of the golfing world for many years. Almost everyone agrees that travelling does take its toll on the performance of players.
According to many experts, travelling itself is not to be blamed. Travelling is a necessary evil that every golfer has to put up with.
It is the fatigue accompanying the hectic travelling schedule that causes the lacklustre performance and even injury in some cases.
Take the case of Phil Mickelson. The current world number 14 had to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament 2012 because of fatigue. In the first round, he scored seven-over-par 79, his worst Memorial Tournament score ever.
He was in constant travel before the tournament. A tour through Europe to celebrate the 40th birthday of his wife, Amy is given as the cause of his fatigue.
In a statement, Mickelson said, “We went to Italy and Paris. I came back and had a Tuesday outing in Long Island, the pro-am. Mentally I'm a little bit fatigued”.
This fatigue resulted in one of the worst performances of Phil “Lefty” Mickelson’s career.
This is not an isolated case in the golf world. Many pro golfers have been a victim of travel induced fatigue. It is apparent from the slow start, the lapses in judgment and the score card riddled with bogeys.
Experts say that the fatigue is actually caused by twin factors of jet lag and the routine of the tour.
Jet lag is experienced by every traveler and has a different impact on everyone. Almost all golfers are affected by this condition in the start of their career.
They eventually learn to deal with the issue, but it does not go away. Given the hectic schedule, lack of sleep and the socializing, the fatigue factor crops up every time a golfer has to travel and play at international venues.
Golf has a social side that is very much part of the game itself. The long hours spent before and after the game, socializing with other golfers, press and sponsors, have an impact on the sleep and eating cycles of the golfers.
This is compounded by the unfamiliar sleeping quarters and the buffet style lunches and dinners.
What can golfers, both professional and amateur, do about this?
Every expert and trainer has their own formula for beating the fatigue. However, all agree on some points that are incorporated into their regimes.
The most important thing every one stresses upon is a proper exercise schedule. Physical activity is a must whenever a golfer is on a tour.
The activity actually beats the jet lag and is helpful in enforcing a schedule on the daily activities of the player.
Every golfer must make sure that they get ample rest in between tournaments. Many golfers, especially amateurs looking to turn professional, cram in too many tee offs without considering the consequences.
Instead of improving the game and their rankings, this reckless attitude often results in fatigue. This usually ends in deterioration of performance and a poor score.
In not so rare cases, fatigue could escalate into an injury, keeping the golfer out of the greens for months at a time.
Travelling does take its toll on the performance of every player. Rather than fighting the cause and symptoms, the smart thing is to take the advice of the professionals and cope with the phenomenon.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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