Beer+Golf=Lower Scores?

[dapper dan morby]

So here's the thing, before I moved to Singapore 22 years ago, the thought of having a beer during a round of golf, was completely alien & out of the question. 22 years on, and I find it increasingly more difficult to find my rhythm unless I've had a said quota of beer. Now I'm not implying I'm an alcoholic, although my wife may argue that statement, but there's something about beer that slows your swing down, eases the mind and gives you something to keep your mind of all those swing thoughts between shots. It's also highly sociable here in Asia to share said beer with friends & colleagues during a round, so much so, with many societies I've played with, it's actually compulsory to have at least 2 beers on the course, one for the front and one for the back 9.

Now the strange thing is, apart from darts, pool, beach volleyball & dominoes, I don't think there's any other hand eye coordinated sport out there that you can drink 6 beers and still perform (I know, I've tried and failed badly). Now 22 years ago, when I was introduced to the concept of drinking beer on the course, I did struggle at first, but now I find myself in the zone hitting greens in regulation between beer 6 & 10 (I'm an 11 hdcp btw). I recently had a very beer infused round when we were celebrating something or other as you do, and played the last 4 holes one under par through beers 12 to 14, chipping in for the birdie funny enough, while missing the easy birdie putts on the other 3 holes. My playing partners just stood in ore and said "how", and to be honest, I have no idea how I do it sometimes, but there must be something shutting down the negative thoughts and just letting the muscles do their thing. I introduced a golf pro I know to the concept of drinking during a round and even with 8 beers pouring out of his pours, he managed to hit 5 birdies in a 2 under round, so there must be something in the science.

On the other hand, my apparel business has taken me to Dubai countless times over the past 12 years, where it is possible to have a beer or 2 on the course, but it's not really the done thing, and besides, I'm usually the only one drinking at 8.30 in the morning and they look at you a little weird at times. So over the past 12 years and probably 100+ rounds of golf there, I can count the rounds I've actually played well for 18 holes on one hand, and they were probably due to my hangover from the night before shutting down my brain.

So my question to you would be, are you a sneaky one or two beer person, or a full on "let's go for it" kind of guy and does it help your swing/game?.... answers on a postcard please

Dapper dan morby

[CarlSpackler]

I often don't drink at all on the course. I don't feel that alcohol helps my swing at all. Too much however will kill my swing. 

[JonMA1]

21 minutes ago, dapper dan morby said:

but there's something about beer that slows your swing down, eases the mind and gives you something to keep your mind of all those swing thoughts between shots.

I find Methaqualone will do the same thing but without the hangover.

Seriously, I'm not that much fun to be around when I'm sober. Bringing alcohol into the equation isn't an improvement.

Then again, I can't remember ever drinking and playing golf so who knows... maybe it would help.

[natureboy]

If it takes 6-10 beers for you to feel in the zone / aka 'relaxed' and 8:30 am drinking is your norm, there's a chance your wife may be right. Not looking to offend or judge you, but that's kinda heavy consumption vs. the average beer drinking golfer.

Perhaps I'm a 'lightweight', but 14 beers would take my swing well beyond sloppy.

Edited November 18, 2016 by natureboy

[dapper dan morby]

Just now, natureboy said:

If it takes 6-10 beers for you to feel in the zone / aka 'relaxed' and 8:30 am drinking is your norm, there's a chance your wife may be right. Not looking to offend or judge you, but that's kinda heavy consumption vs. the average beer drinking golfer.

Perhaps I'm a 'lightweight', but 10 beers would take my swing well beyond sloppy.

An 8.30 beer would be a rare event, however, after a big night out, it can help your putting.... I did forget to mention that for some reason, beer does sit better than water and when in Singapore, we need lots of fluids :)

9 minutes ago, JonMA1 said:

I find Methaqualone will do the same thing but without the hangover.

Seriously, I'm not that much fun to be around when I'm sober. Bringing alcohol into the equation isn't an improvement.

Then again, I can't remember ever drinking and playing golf so who knows... maybe it would help.

A beer can does double up as a handy ball marker on the green as well...

[Hardspoon]

50 minutes ago, dapper dan morby said:

I don't think there's any other hand eye coordinated sport out there that you can drink 6 beers and still perform

One word for you: bowling.

 

[dapper dan morby]

3 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

One word for you: bowling.

 

Good point ... 

[chilepepper]

I dont find beer, or 420 in my younger days , helped my game. I can see the slight relaxation being good but I'm not keen on losing the coordination aspect. But that's just me, to each his own. Enjoy the game

[upndown21]

I normally do not drink when I play. However last Friday we had a stableford tournament at my club and I had a liquor drink in hand at 10 with a 10.30 start. after two mixed drinks I switched to beer (probably 8-10). Had the round of my life shot a 77 as a 13 hcp on a 71.6/135 setup. Came in second place 

[dapper dan morby]

yep, there's method in this madness, I mean enjoyment 

[Patch]

To each their own when mixing alcohol with golf. 

I do when out with my regular golfing buddies. 1 on the front, 1 at the turn, and 1 on the back. Myself and another play pretty well. The other two, not so well. 

My last HIO happened after a couple of on course brewskies. 

It's the 19th after the round, while settling up, when we sometimes have to decide which one of our wives we need to call to come get us. Last time it was a cab. 

[gregsandiego]

Have you ever seen those studies where they give drivers one drink at a time then have them drive an obstacle course. Some feel better, or non-impaired but none perform better.

Anyway for me it was always obvious. Bad shots got worse with alcohol so I had no temptation.

I suspect if you drink a lot, you'll learn to compensate and strike the ball pretty good even drunk. But I doubt it is better.

 

[Papa Steve 55]

This came up in a pot smoking thread. As I said in that one, I'll always take a bet from the drinkers/smokers, its just the smokers are much more good natured when paying off.

 

[boogielicious]

@dapper dan morby,

In college, "Breakfast of Champions" was beer and Fritos! 

I can have one maybe, later in the round, but more than one and I lose focus. I have friends that do play better with a couple in them. I do enjoy a pint or two after the round though. It is a reward!

[Vinny Cap]

This is one of those "To Each His Own" topics.

I have friends that can play straight and with a buzz but dont know anyone who can play well wiped out.

I guess it depends when I play.  In the afternoon I will enjoy 1 on front, 1 at turn, 1 on back and another at 19th reviewing the round.  Early rounds like 8 or so, dont need any beer till after.  Late rounds line noon or later.... bring them on!!!

One bud has a keg type of club thing in the bag that holds a lot of Rum.  I believe it was for beer but he likes his Captain!   I like to play with him later in the day!  Rum n Coke on the back on a hot day is refreshing!

[paininthenuts]

The fact is, and everyone knows this, beer is good for you, and the more you can drink, the healthier you will get. In the UK the government are always telling us to drink more alcohol, especially before driving.

I always play in the morning these days so I don't really get to drink on the course. Strangely enough there doesn't appear to be a drinking culture at my local course. Perhaps there should be !!

[mcanadiens]

I drink beer like it's going out of style. That said, my rule of thumb is no more than two during an 18-hole round and I don't drink before noon on or off the course. Much more than that and the thought-process can get a bit sloppy.

Maybe its semantics, but beer really doesn't "help my swing", but it can calm me down a little bit. I tend to be high-strung in general, so that's not a bad thing.

[Elmer]

11 hours ago, Hardspoon said:

One word for you: bowling.

 

Bowling is not a sport!!!!
That being said they dont call it "swing Juice" for nothing.

a beer in the middle of each nine, especially a cold beer on a hot day is a good thing!
Same with Whiskey on a cold day!