5 Pre-workout for Golf (before or after?)

January 8, 2024 |

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For this read, I have reviewed the 5 best pre-workouts for golf.

If you are a golfer, you will agree that golfing is a full-body workout, contrary to the popular belief that classifies it as a leisure activity.

The reason is that playing golf demands an intricate interplay of physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of the body.

You came across the right light bulb moment when you started contemplating if pre-workouts could be helpful in the club-and-ball sport.

Since pre-workouts are designed with stuff that imparts mental alertness and physical endurance at the gym, it might help you feel focused and set you in a great mood at the golf club as well.

This article will cover all the aspects that you need to consider before picking up the right pre-workout supplement to enhance your golfing performance.

So, keep reading to find out all details.

Is Pre-workout good before golf?

Golf sport

Yes, pre-workouts are the perfect supplements to help you perform better on the golf course.

Since you have asked this question, you might not be a stranger to the miracles of pre-workouts.

For a long time, exercise enthusiasts and gym fanatics have been gulping in pre-workout drinks to improve their motivation and performance.

You may also exploit the benefits of these miracle drinks to have a better grip on the golf club, enhance focus on the cup and holes of the golf course and increase your chance of hitting the pitch shot.

According to golfers, golf is 90% the swing and 10% brains for an average player.

But if you are an elite player with caddies to assist you during the tournament, it requires 60% of physical and 40% of your mental utilities.

Keeping in view these approximate stats, you definitely need to sip in some good ol’ pre-workouts to stimulate your body and mind before walking around.

Focus, awareness, mindfulness, confidence, calmness, and hedonic motivation are some of the mental states that may help you hit the hole in one.

And the ingredients like caffeine, taurine, or theanine in pre-workouts will help you achieve that golf state of mind.

While golf might not seem like a sweaty game, the golf swing is the trickiest thing about it. It requires the utmost accuracy and the right power to get the ball up and in.

The golf swing is primarily considered anaerobic and involves the muscles in the torso, shoulders, arms, back, and the whole body to get it right.

The beta-alanine, creatine, or arginine are some ingredients in pre-workouts that may help enhance your biomechanical movements, increase blood flow to the muscles and give you an energy boost to get your body course ready.

Research has evaluated and supports the use of supplements to enhance cognition and stamina in golf players.

Researchers arranged a 36-hole golf tournament to conduct this 2015 clinical trial, which showed that a moderate dose (100mg-300mg) of caffeine during and before golf improved energy and reduced the onset of golf-specific fatigue, leading to enhanced performance and swing accuracy in the participants.

Another 2015 clinical trial evaluated the effect of a dietary supplement containing creatine monohydrate, coffee arabica fruit extract, calcium fructoborate, and vitamin D on the golfer’s performance and recorded a visible improvement in their best drive distance.

Nonetheless, it would be best to avoid hyper-stimulating pre-workouts since jittering, tingling, and hot flashes may ruin your game. Scroll ahead to find out my best pre-workout picks for golf and why I choose them.

Best Pre-workout for Golf

Below are my favorite pre workout supplements for Golfers:

  • Crazy Nutrition Pre-train
  • 4ore energy and focus
  • Cellucor C4 Sport
  • Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout
  • Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Energy + focus

1. Crazy Nutrition Pre-train

crazy nutrition workout

If you are looking for a product that doesn’t contain ingredients hidden behind the proprietary blend tag, crazy nutrition pre-train is the pre-workout for you.

The ingredients in the formulation are brought together in a perfect balance to promote hydration, stimulation, mental focus, muscle pumping, and stamina, which is all that you need to ace the tournament.

The vitamin C, vitamin B blend (Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pyridoxine HCL (B6), Biotin (B7), Folic Acid (B9), Methylcobalamin (B12), Pantothenic acid (B5)) and minerals (iron) help to fulfill the immediate energy that is required during swings and maintain consistent performance and recovery after you are done playing.

Glucuronolactone increases the quantity of glucuronic acid in the blood.

Glucuronic acid promotes the breakdown of glucose and gives you the energy required in anaerobic swings. It also improves mental focus.

Ashwagandha in the ingredients is a traditional herb that is notorious for its soothing effects, and it helps alleviate stress, which will help you focus more on the game.

The non-essential amino acid taurine helps to improve muscle function and concentration, and the non-essential amino-acid L-tyrosine increases energy, endurance, and focus.

The crazy nutrition pre-workout also includes ingredients that specifically target muscles in different ways to help you swing with accuracy.

Arginine and glycerin monostearate increase the blood flow to the muscles, while the betaine promotes muscle hydration. Citrulline malate helps improve muscle recovery, and Bioperine is added to the formulation to promote quick absorption of all these ingredients in the body.

When you consume all these ingredients in the pre-train formula, it may help you earn more holes in the course.

The caffeine content is contributed by caffeine anhydrous (300 mg) and EnXtra (100 mg), which may promote smooth stimulation and boost energy.

You can subscribe and get discounts and free delivery, visit this link to find out more about the savings you can get. One-time purchase of a canister of crazy nutrition pre-train offers 20 servings for $39.99.

Pros

  • No risk of jitters, stomach issues, and cramps.
  • Offers caffeine-free options in the flavor of green apple.
  • Comes in 3 delicious flavors.
  • Contains no banned ingredients and is legal all around the globe.
  • It is a vegan-friendly and plant-based product.

Cons

  • There is a bit too much caffeine, about 400mg, for golfing in the original version.
  • A bit on the pricey side.
  • Contains artificial sugar sucralose.

2. 4ore energy and focus

4ore pre-workout for golf

The 4ore energy and focus pre-workout is specially designed to cater to the golfer’s needs.

It is formulated with science-backed ingredients and produced in close cooperation with golfers to ensure that you remain in good condition both on and off course.

It contains an amino acid blend of L-Citrulline, L-Arginine, L-Carnitine Tartrate, L-glutamine, L- tyrosine, and L- theanine.

L-citrulline and L-arginine increase blood flow to the muscles. L-tyrosine and L-glutamine ensure optimum energy release and availability to the muscles for the golf swing. L-carnitine is an antioxidant that promotes recovery and prevents muscle fatigue.

L-theanine calms down the nervous system and prevents post stimulant ‘crashes.’

Since a lot of mental agility is involved in golfing, the herbal and vitamin blend in this pre-workout is carefully put together to enhance cognitive performance.

Inositol and bacopa monnieri stimulate efficient mental processing and help to impart mental focus. Theobromine, caffeine, and coenzyme Q stimulate mental alertness. And the nootropics like lion’s mane and Rhodiola Rosea in this blend help improve cognition.

Cordyceps and Ganoderma extract is added to the 4ore formulation to trigger energy release, delay fatigue, and prevent muscle damage to ensure that you don’t sway or slide or cause other swing faults.

Hydration is the key to optimum golf performance.

This pre-workout smartly added the electrolytes and minerals like Himalayan salt, magnesium, thiamine HCL, etc., to retain and promote adequate water balance in cells and support their matrix.

4ore enables you to buy the product in interest-free installments, and you may check their site to find out how. But since a lot of research and high-quality ingredients go in 4ore pre-workouts, they cost $39.95 for 30 servings.

Pros

  • Comes in two berry flavors, blue raspberry, and triple berry.
  • Provides jitter-free energy.
  • Uses natural ingredients and herbal extracts to impart its beneficial effects.
  • Choline DL Bitartrate is added to promote visuomotor performance (hand and eye coordination).
  • Amplifies mental focus, cellular hydration, recovery, muscle pumping, and endurance.

Cons

  • It is a bit pricey.

3. Cellucor C4 Sport

C4 sport pre-workout

Cellucor C4 sport is an NSF-certified and affordable pre-workout that suits your golfing needs. It provides a moderate boost in energy, focus, muscle pumping, and endurance and prevents hyper-stimulation.

The swing involves both the upper and lower muscle groups in the body, and this is why you may get the ‘golfer’s elbow’ occasionally.

The NO boosters like L-Tyrosine and Citrulline Malate 2:1 in Cellucor C4 pre-workout help to increase the blood flow to these muscles.

Moreover, the C4 sports formula incorporates a combination of L-arginine and AKG, which enables their fast absorption in the body and allows a more efficient increase in blood flow and energy.

Beta-alanine is another ingredient that prevents muscle fatigue and inflammation, which may help you stay on the course for longer.

Partial dehydration is common in golfers as you have to stand for hours under the sun on the course, and the game asks for both physical and mental exertion. Thus betaine anhydrous in the C4 pre-workout promotes muscle hydration and increases your power, supporting your golfing performance.

The traditional herb ashwagandha will help to calm you down and relieve stress and anxiety to help you focus on the game better.

The amino acid tyrosine also contributes to the purpose of improving mental focus.

And the amino acid taurine is known to augment the performance of anaerobic exertion by increasing energy and endurance.

Playing golf puts a lot of strain on your body, and sometimes you don’t realize it; thus, post-golf recovery is as important to help you get back on the course.

Vitamin C added to the pre-workout formula may help to improve recovery and wound healing due to its antioxidant, immune-boosting, and collagen supporting potential.

C4 cellucor is already a budget-friendly pre-workout option, and you can get further discounts and free shipping upon subscription.

For a one-time purchase, the C4 sports pre-workout powder offers 30 servings for $19.99.

Pros

  • Contain natural ingredients.
  • It will not cause jitters and energy crashes.
  • Comes in three fruit flavors, watermelon, blue raspberry, and fruit punch.
  • Improves mental focus, energy, and stamina.
  • A moderate level of caffeine-135mg.
  • Contains micronized creatine monohydrated, which is purer and has fewer side effects.
  • Includes research-proven ‘EnXtra,’ which makes you feel alert for up to 5 hours.
  • Scientifically proven for strength and recovery.
  • 60-day money-back guarantee.
  • Have ingredients that improve blood flow to the muscles and fight fatigue.
  • Improves mood, motivation, and drive.
  • It is NSF certified.
  • Cost-efficient.

Cons

  • It is not tingle-free, and beta-alanine may trigger ‘paresthesia.’
  • Contains artificial sugars, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.

4. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

optimum nutrition gold standard pre-workout

If you are asking for a standard pre-workout with no fancy ingredient lists, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout is your product.

It contains B vitamins (vitamin B6, B12) and minerals (calcium, sodium) that prevent the onset of muscle fatigue, mediate energy release and promote recovery after you are done golfing. Vitamin D will promote strong bones by enhancing calcium absorption in them.

The muscle matrix blend contains ingredients like creatine, ginseng, and astragalus root in the AstraGIN proprietary blend to increase blood flow and strength of muscle.

The performance composite consists of L-citrulline and beta-alanine that increase blood flow to muscles.

The energy and focus complex contains caffeine that gives an energy boost, and the citrus bio-flavonoid complex added to it promotes muscle recovery.

The Acetyl-L Carnitine HCl is added to this complex for its potential to increase strength and power output. And the amino-acid L-tyrosine is also a component of this complex as it works to improve mental focus and ease anxiety.

You can get a 15% discount and free delivery with certain conditions that you can go through on their website. And the original cost of the optimum nutrition gold standard pre-workout per 30 servings is $29.99.

Pros

  • It comes in a wide variety of four different flavors.
  • Contains a moderate dose of 175mg of caffeine from natural sources.
  • Contains optimum dose of 3g creatine monohydrate.

Cons

  • Contains artificial flavors, colors, and stabilizers.
  • Contains artificial sugars, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.
  • Contains AstraGIN propriety blend.
  • Beta-alanine may cause tingling.

5. Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Energy + focus

SPORT Organic Plant-Based Energy Pre-workout

If you are looking for a clean, organic, and low caffeine pre-workout to chug in before you hit the links, the garden of life sports pre-workout might be your go-to product.

It contains vitamin C and an organic antioxidant blend made by putting together the goodness of cane sugar, coffee fruit, baobab fruit, and amla extract. Antioxidants are known to improve endurance and recovery.

The organic nitric oxide blend that consists of kale, spinach, and beetroot extract squirts blood to the muscles by triggering vasodilation and helps you achieve a fluid golf swing by improving muscle strength.

The organic vitamin B12 is derived from the bacteria Saccharomyces cerevisiae and helps enhance energy metabolism and blood cell production, which is essential for both performance and recovery in golf.

Garden of Life Sport would cost you $40.99 per 30 servings.

Pros

  • Comes in blackberry flavor.
  • 85mg caffeine is complimented with antioxidants sourced from the coffee berry.
  • Offers sugar-free alternative.
  • It is USDA certified to contain organic ingredients.
  • It is a plant-based and non-GMO pre-workout powder.
  • It is free from allergens such as gluten and dairy.
  • It is third-party verified, tested, and deemed safe for sports by NSF.
  • It is certified by Informed choice as well.
  • It is the first company to be certified as carbon-free.

Cons

  • It has too much sugar, about 11g in the non-sugar-free version.

Pre-workout for Golf – Buyer’s guide

Here are some aspects of different pre-workouts that you need to evaluate critically before adding them to your cart.

1. Ingredients

  • Moderate Caffeine

Since golfing does not require a lot of physical exertion, moderate stimulation is enough to achieve a perfect swing and hit.

Drinking a glass of high caffeine pre-workout may leave you jittery, sweaty, and anxious, which will not help your grip on the club, your focus, or your swing posture.

Moreover, caffeine is a diuretic, and since you already have to stand for up to 4 hours under the sun in the course, the high caffeine drink may further increase your risk of dehydration. Again, compromising your performance during play.

Look for pre-workouts with a moderate caffeine content between 100mg-300mg so that your central nervous system is stimulated to the right extent for improved mental focus and gives the right amount of energy boost. You can also pick up a product that uses EnXTRA as a caffeine source to prevent jitters.

  • Cognition enhancers

You can’t win a golf round if you are playing with a cloudy brain because giving the most accurate hit at the golf ball requires a laser-like focus on the holes and hurdles on the course.

Keeping this in view, look for pre-workouts with nootropics like Lion’s Mane, L-tyrosine, alpha GPC, Rhodiola Rosea, etc.

These ingredients ease anxiety, promote mental focus and alertness, and calm down the nervous system.

  • NO boosters

Golfing involves the muscles of the whole body, and therefore a good supply of blood to them is essential to prevent muscle soreness, cramps, and inflammation.

Pre-workouts contain ingredients like arginine, citrulline malate, L-Nitrosigne, beetroot extract, etc., that help boost nitric oxide levels that cause vasodilation and increase the blood flow to the muscles.

  • Antioxidants

Recovery is an essential phase of golf to help you get back on the course in a top state, and antioxidant-containing pre-workouts can help you achieve just that by boosting your immune system, promoting healing of wounds and injuries, relieving inflammation, and preventing and reducing muscle soreness.

Look for ingredients like flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, or antioxidant blends in the nutrient information of pre-workouts to decide the right pick.

  • Electrolytes

Our bodies are composed of 60% water.

A less than optimum level of water in our bodies can significantly reduce the proper functioning of the cells, brain, and other systems, ultimately affecting your performance.

Considering the long hours you have to spend under the sun while playing golf, you will eventually lose water when you sweat on the course.

Even though eating and drinking are allowed during this sport, plain water is not the solution to dehydration.

But instead, drinking pre-workouts that contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium will help to effectively replenish your body as they aid the water absorption in the body.

2. Allergens

Pre-workouts that are plant-based and organic reduce the occurrence of most allergens like dairy and gluten. Nonetheless, whenever you are going out to buy your favorite supplement, look out for allergens to avoid complications in the future.

Also, check for medicine interactions with any ingredients if you are taking them.

3. Cost

Brands that offer NSF sport certified pre-workouts and use high-quality ingredients will charge you more for buying their product, which is entirely understandable.

For instance, Pre-workouts like 4ore are specifically designed with well-researched ingredients to cater to the needs of a golfer cost about $10 more than regular pre-workouts.

So, spending an additional $2 or $3 for a serving of high-quality supplements is worth the money.

Conclusion

To conclude this article, it is a great idea to gulp in a glass of pre-workout before your first tee to help you perform better on the course.

Pre-workouts may energize and motivate you to chip a couple of goals off your competitor’s scoreboard on days when you are lacking in strength and motivation.

But more is not always better, and you need to be careful about picking up a high stim pre-workout as golfing does not require excessive stimulation.

Therefore, look for pre-workouts in the sports range or those that are suitable for outdoor exertion and have moderate caffeine content.

I hope this article will help you choose your favorite pre-course supplement. Happy golfing!

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