This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a few bucks at no cost to you if you purchase a product through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
***If you only golf with the boys on a weekend bender then stop reading now. Enjoy whatever snacks you want.***
You’re only on hole 6 or 7 and you find yourself hungry. We’ve all been there. Instead of praying that you catch a glimpse of the beverage or snack cart, you can rely on some healthy snacks to help you make it through.
Great snacks for the golf course provide sustained energy and are easy to eat on the go. It doesn’t mean you need to forget about the $12 hot dog at the the turn, but there are healthier alternatives that will save you some dough.
The truth is, you probably know everything that is in this blog post before you read it. We never hear the end of what is healthy and what is not. We know what snacks we should be eating, but we struggle to actually eat them.
With some preparation, it is easier than you think to eat these healthy snacks. It is a matter of having them ready and safely stored in your golf bag when you show up at the course. If not, you will be running to the nearest snack location and overspending on unhealthy snacks.
The average golfer will burn between 400-700 calories per 18 holes when they are riding in a cart. If you are walking, that number is between 800-1200 calories per 18 holes. If you are like me, that number can be even higher if you are searching for your ball instead of walking down the fairway.
It’s no wonder you are hungry before the round is over. So please don’t try to gut it out and wait till the end your round. You will suffer and your golf game will suffer as well.
Top 7 Snacks for Golf
Here are my top snacks for the golf course. The most important factor in golf snacks is portability and ease of eating. Pick a few of these and make sure they are in your golf bag next time you head out.
Fisher trail mixes use the highest quality nuts, dried fruits and mixes to keep your golf game moving forward.
- Trail Mix: The best trail mix involves a mix of nuts, dried fruits, and maybe some chocolate (in colder weather) for a quick energy boost. My favorite mix is almonds, cashews, cranberries, and raisins.
- Granola Bars: These are the king of portable foods. Find one that has minimal sugar for the healthiest option. Also avoid ones with chocolate if you are playing on a hot day.
- Fruit: Think of fruit that is easy to carry and eat between holes. Bananas, apples, and grapes are easy to pack and eat when you need an energy boost. Avoid any fruit that is messy or will take along time to eat. Your playing partner will thank you.
- Jerky: AKA cow raisins. A quality beef jerky is high in protein and ultra portable, making it a good choice for a protein boost. Just don’t call them cow raisins too often.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly (Or Banana) Sandwiches: These sandwiches are the choice of many golfers, especially those who don’t like paying for a meal at the turn. Tiger Woods has often said peanut butter & banana sandwiches are his favorite on course snack. Jordan Spieth has also been spotted eating these sandwiches (he even shared one with a fan). They’re easy to pack and can provide sustained energy for the round.
- Pretzels or Crackers: This might sound like toddler food, but they’re not messy and can provide a quick carb boost. Pair these with some beef jerky and your hunger will be gone for a while. They might suck all the moisture out of your mouth, so don’t eat them unless your water bottle is full.
- Vegetable Sticks: A healthy option that’s easy to snack on. This snack might be reserved for the super health conscious, but it is a worthy snack on the golf course. I had to throw this one in here because it seems like a good idea, but I’ve never seen someone eating veggies on the golf course.
What do the Pros Snack on?
We don’t have cameras on the professionals all the time, but we know they must be eating snacks every few holes to keep their blood sugar level and energy level up. Tiger Woods has been known to eat snacks every 2-3 holes to maintain his energy levels. We all know how good he is. So if you have a chance to snack on the course and follow Tiger Woods advice, do it.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that most of the Pros choose snacks from the list above. Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth enjoy a peanut butter and banana sandwich during their round. Bryson DeChambeau has been seen chugging protein shakes in the middle of a round. Rory McIlroy is often seen eating a protein or granola bar as he is walking down the fairway. Adam Scott enjoys the taste of the original cliff bars.
The list can go on and on of snacks that the pros enjoy on the course. They all have one thing in common: they are portable, healthy snacks.
Why So Many Snacks?
Golf is truly a game of inches. There are so many factors that cannot be controlled, such as weather, wind, course conditions, ball lies, equipment flaws, etc. that affect your round. Nutrition is one factor that CAN be controlled by the golfer. Good golfers focus on the factors they can control and ignore the ones they can’t control.
The goal of healthy snacks is to keep your blood sugar levels as constant as possible to prevent mood and energy fluctuations. Unnecessary fluctuations can impact your golf game in negative ways. So keep your bag stocked with snacks and be sure to eat every few holes. You may even drop a stroke off of your score.
Fisher trail mixes use the highest quality nuts, dried fruits and mixes to keep your golf game moving forward.
100% whole grains and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Available in flavors like chocolate chip and peanut butter chocolate chip.
Nature’s Eats is a family owned and operated company focused on curating, blending and packaging fine grown food products.
Jack Link’s protein snacks will be the fuel for people to Feed Their Wild Side, no matter the occasion.
With 4 simple ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors, this creamy peanut butter is perfect for a Peanut Butter & Banana sandwich.
100 Calorie Mini Pretzels and Sticks from Snyder's of Hanover are slow baked for an irresistibly crunchy, bite-size snack.
Great vegetable snack tray for when you are on-the-go.
Final Thoughts
This article would seem like nonsense to the early golfers who drank whiskey and smoked cigars on the golf course. Times have changed, and golfers are now seen more as athletes and less as gentlemen playing a game. If you are a golfer, you may not see yourself as an athlete. Let me assure you, you are an athlete whether you like it or not.
So regardless of what shape you are currently in, eating healthy snacks will help with your performance on the golf course.
Jacob is a Professional Engineer, professional gym-goer, and golf enthusiast. He is obsessed with golf-specific fitness, golf simulators, and hitting long drives.
1 thought on “Top 7 Snacks to Fight Hunger on the Golf Course”