8 rounds in 5 days, how to get prepared?

[Bullitt5339]

I am leaving on a golf trip to Myrtle Beach on Saturday, and we're playing 8 rounds in 5 days, so I was trying to mentally and physically prepare myself for the trip, I have never played that many rounds in such a short time before.

My thoughts are to take this week off from playing or practicing at all, and then go out and hit a bucket and play 9 holes on Friday before we leave to loosen up. I have had 2 back surgeries in the past 10 years, so if I don't play for a few days, I am very stiff for the first 6 holes or so.

I'm also worried about eating during the week. My thought was to have a nice light breakfast before we leave for the course, and then after our first round of the day, eat a very light lunch, something like a sandwich just to keep the energy up, and snack a lot during the day, nothing too heavy.

Any thoughts from you guys who have done these marathon golf trips before?

[Bullitt5339]

oops, just noticed I clicked on Tour Talk instead of Golf Talk.......... Sorry about that.

[Jonnydanger81]

I've done 3 days with 36 holes per day before. If you really want to golf and play well, leave the booze out of the equation til the end. A few guys I went with would get screwdrivers for their morning OJ and be passed out as we're driving to the 2nd 18 of the day. Eat a good breakfeast, bring plenty of snacks that don't melt, like non-salted almonds, maybe an apple, banana, stuff like that. Eat a good lunch and drink plenty of water, especially if it's a hot day.

As for game prep, 36 holes in one day is a lot, especially if you throw in a range session in the morning to loosen up, you're talking anywhere from 200-300 hit balls, not to mention how many swings. Getting a good sleep usually isn't a problem because hot sun + 36 holes of golf + a few beers at night makes you pass right the hell out. My lower back is a little messed up so I would do some stretches in my room after I woke up and showered in the morning. It would definitely loosen me up for the rest of the day.

[DavidFehertysBike]

You cant prepare for this. Youre a deadman.

[Bullitt5339]

Well, I've been walking 72 holes a week trying to build up my endurance, and the guys I'm playing with on this trip have to ride in carts, so I feel physically prepared to ride all the courses, maybe just not mentally.

[Gioguy21]

honestly...a day before you leave have a nice dinner/lunch with some pasta...at night while on the trip have some complex carbs to give yourself some lasting energy through the five day golfapalooza...while on course and throughout the day drink a lot of water, have bananas (potassium) will keep you from getting overly stiff...have some apples for good sugars and limit as others have said, booze till the ending rounds of the week. pace yourself, focus on the shot...enjoy yourself in between. sounds like an awesome time, wish i was goin with ya haha

[goblue107501]

I play in a 5 round in 3 days event each year. Not quite as long as yours, but a lot of golf nonetheless. I have found out a few things that can be helpful.

First, drink plenty of fluids and stay off the booze. Drink plenty of water the prior night and start with it in the morning. The more water/Gatorade you drink, the less you even notice that you are needing it. Don't wait until you are thirsty either. Just try and drink a little after each hole to maintain your fluids.

Eat a good breakfast before you start. Then eat something inbetween rounds, even if you are not that hungry. Take some snacks to have during if you start to feel hungry. Nothing slows down a golf swing like hunger.

Something I always do playing multiple rounds in a day is to take a change of clothes. Sometimes I won't change my shorts, but I will always change my shirt, shoes, and socks. The second 18 just feels better when you have a dry shirt and fresh socks. If the course has the facilities and I have the time, I will go as far as to take a shower in between rounds. Then I feel really fresh for the second round, but that usually isn't an option.

Since you will be riding, stay off your feet as much as possible. Don't walk around if you don't have to. It gets to be a long day, and every extra step will just add too it. You will get plenty of exercise, take it easy when you have the opportunity.

If possible get to the course early to warm up, you won't want to, but it will help. After about day 2 you will be really stiff and sore. Pop some pain pills (Tylenol/Advil) before you start and get loose so you don't hurt anything. You don't need a full practice session, just 10-15 ball to start getting loose.

Playing a bunch is a lot of fun, just take it in stride and don't do anything to wear yourself out.

[alf174]

If you're walking 72 a week now you're about as physically ready as you need. Goblue has got good pointers about a partial-clothing change & a shower if you can. Hey its Myrtle Beach, the courses don't play fast-fast-fast but they won't snail either (Rangers). You'll be in cart so load up on water & snacks and enjoy yourself.

[Rexx]

Don't listen to these guys... booze it up. It's the only way to get through the pain of playing 8 rounds in 5 days.

But really, you need to limit the # of swings and how hard you swing. Try to keep the practice swings light, and if you can hit more shots at 75-80% instead of 100% then you should. It will save you a lot of soreness and stiffness for the next days. Limit the range time to less than 20 balls... it ain't gonna help much and you'll just wear yourself out sooner. Add in a half dozen chips and putts and you should be good to go. It does become more of a marathon than a sprint by the last couple of days. The advice on limiting your walking and keeping hydrated and nourished is also good obviously.

But if all else fails, do what I do. Ignore the above advice, go back to the alcohol (liquor works better than beer), and play until you drop. Last one standing wins. Oh, and have fun!

[kpaulhus]

Im trying to plan a 3 night 5 round Myrtle Trip next month....I have seen lots of cool courses, but dont know how to pair them all up in a package. How did you go about booking your stay/golf???

[mrt10x]

get a prescription for 800 mg motrin

[soloredd]

Just did a 5 rounds in 3 days trip around the Bay Area. It is tough, not only physically but mentally. I was dog tired the 3rd day and didn't touch a club for more than a week.

We did a Hawaii trip last October and are trying to get a Vegas trip for the fall. I think what really killed me during the Bay Area jaunt was the driving to the courses. Our courses were spread out pretty good. Vegas has a bunch of courses near each other so you can play then tee off again under an hour. When we did Hawaii and played both Turtle Bay courses, it wasn't bad at all.

I'd say the best way to get prepared is really hydrate yourself a day or two before your trip and as mrt10x said, take some Motrin.

[imtomtomim]

You cant prepare for this. Youre a deadman.

haha. This is a very ambitious trip. I find that I can't practice for more than a week if I don't take a day off in those 7. My hands just start to go numb and my hip flexors start to go. Just eat healthy, eat all day, drink your fluids. Me, I'd make sure I was taping my hands from the start so I don't rip those calouses off by the second day.

[Lefty-Golfer]

I just returned Sunday from a trip to mytle beach, 7 rounds in 4 days

fly in wed play 18, thursday 36, friday 36, sat 36 sun fly home.

The only way to prepare is to get good sleep before you leave...then while you are there maintain a one double bloody mary per 9 in the am and 2 beers per 9 in the pm...mix in various after round and dinner drinks and you should be good to go!!!

oh and DON'T drink water...that stuff will kill you. Advil is your friend...you are ready to go.

[nevets88]

If your hands haven't toughened up from playing or other work, you might need gloves for both hands, at least bring tape.

[rjfan91]

I've done 7 rounds in 4 days twice a year for the last several years. What I do:

* Lay off booze unless drinking a ton of water.
* Stay out of sun as much as possible. Even if it's just sitting in the cart while waiting for your shot, it helps.
* Eat breakfast and lunch.
* Change socks in between rounds.
* Get some corn apply it to your hands after dinner (insert your own joke).
* Use tape where you get wear spots on your fingers.

Enjoy yourself!

[Titleist_ProV1x]

I am leaving on a golf trip to Myrtle Beach on Saturday, and we're playing 8 rounds in 5 days, so I was trying to mentally and physically prepare myself for the trip, I have never played that many rounds in such a short time before.

You might as well call your doctor now and make an appointment for your 3rd back surgery, you'll need it after that trip, lol

[golfaddiction]

I would suggest Under Armour underwear and polyester shirts if you haven't got them already. I never leave for the course without either, and it definitely will help if you are playing so frequently.

As far as mentally, just get excited. I would love to be able to play that much. Eat, think, sleep golf, but drink if you want to and have a great time otherwise.