The Best CBD for Golfers, and How to Take it

Whether it’s Phil Mickelson spotted chewing the gum, or Scott McCarron taking capsules to improve his sleep, CBD is a topic that is not unfamiliar to professional golfers, as its reported benefits appear to align well with the ailments that can come from this demanding sport.

Due to stigma and misinformation regarding this special chemical compound, the use of CBD in the PGA has not been a topic widely shared with the public until recently. Not only are people more educated and aware of how CBD works, but high-profile athletes like Tiger Woods have become more open about using CBD to ease anxiety, soothe muscle pain, and improve overall focus and performance.  With that in mind, it should be known that CBD is not considered a performance-enhancing drug any more than an over-the-counter pain medication. As a powerful aid against inflammation, CBD golf is a legal way to improve your stroke. In this article, you’ll learn about what CBD golf is, how it helps with common ailments both physical and mental, and which products are considered the best CBD for golfers.

All About CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical component that’s highly prevalent in cannabis and hemp plants. However, there is a misconception that CBD can make you high or groggy, the way THC often affects people. Rest assured, CBD is not going to give you any kind of psychoactive effect. Instead, it interacts with parts of the central nervous system that play a big role in mood, stress, and appetite regulation. This system is known as the endocannabinoid system, and it’s been found that when CBD enters the system, it performs a series of functions: some mysterious, and some with research making some major headway.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

As of 2018, CBD has been claimed to be legal in all 50 states, so long as it’s hemp-derived and has less than 0.3% THC. As long as a product fits its guidelines, CBD can be shipped over all state lines within the United States. As for golfers, CBD golf is not considered by the PGA to be a performance-enhancing drug, and was removed from the banned substances list in 2017.

CBD Benefits for Golfers 

It doesn’t take an expert to know that golfing is a serious challenge of both the body and mind. As a focus-demanding sport, golf requires high levels of endurance and patience, and can often leave athletes feeling anxious. More golfers are turning to CBD golf as a way to alleviate a variety of symptoms that come with the course, such as the ones listed below.

How Does CBD Help Golfers?

Stress Relief and Better Focus  One of the ways CBD works for athletes on the course is by relieving stress, which can improve your overall focus. CBD does this by encouraging the flow of serotonin in your brain, which prevents stress, as well as lower cortisol levels. Pain Relief & Reduced Inflammation As chronic pain is the most common reason people purchase CBD, there is some evidence that it can reduce  neuropathic pain and help regulate inflammation. Neuropathic pain is largely caused by a hormone called glutamate, which acts as a neurotransmitter for activating neurons. While this function is essential, glutamate sometimes becomes hyperactive, causing an intensified sensitivity to pain. CBD inhibits the release of glutamate, which helps to dull pain receptors. Inflammation, in turn, is similar to neuropathic pain, but it mainly functions as a response to injury or infection. While the causes of inflammation can vary, CBD has shown evidence proving its versatility for all inflammation. Energy and Mood Boost  CBD has been found to hold a bounty of antioxidants, which help prevent the onset of damaging free radicals and protect the body from neuron breakdown. Moreover, CBD’s renowned anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation in the brain is heavily associated with chronic fatigue.

The Best CBD Products for Golfers 

CBD Gum for Golfers

When it comes to CBD among golfers, no product has made an appearance quite like CBD chewing gum. In fact, both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have been spotted chewing CBD gum during the Masters! Our CBD gum is a great way to get a high amount of bioavailability out of a CBD product. Bioavailability is the rate at which a substance is absorbed, and it’s important because it plays a factor in your CBD product’s effectiveness. Sublingual application is a great way to achieve high levels of bioavailability, which is typically administered as drops under the tongue. However, golfers simply don’t always have time to bother with tinctures and droppers on the course, so CBD chewing gum is especially convenient.  Check out our blog to learn more about the benefits of our chewing CBD gum! CBD Cream for Golfers  CBD golf cream is highly recommended for athletes who experience inflammation from sore muscles and injuries. Topical CBD golf works well for pain because unlike capsules or edibles, its bioavailability isn’t reduced through digestion before absorbing into the endocannabinoid system. Instead, it absorbs quickly through the skin, and rather than circulate through the entire body, it targets endocannabinoid receptors in the applied area, allowing the user to better control and pinpoint pain relief. Our CBD Pain Cream is specially formulated with 300 mg pure CBD isolate as well as turmeric, which is a medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which you can read about here.

CBD Oil for Golfers

As mentioned before, sublingual application is an efficient way to absorb CBD at a higher level of bioavailability. Our 2,000 mg CBD oil tincture is highly concentrated, and recommended for those who want to take their pain relief to the next level. For fellow golfers, PGA professional and 2-time and World Long Drive champion Gerry James recommends this oil, as well as the CBD pain cream and chewing gum listed above.  “It helps with pain. I’ve had a lot of pain because of the stuff I’ve done over the years, like two times in the Long Drive Championships, swinging a club as hard as you can possibly swing it, and I still get pain from bodybuilding back in the day, so I use that.”  Is CBD Golf Safe? In November 2019, the FDA issued a warning that 15 companies were falsely advertising their products, as well as a statement that CBD companies are wrongfully giving customers the idea that. According to their website, “..there are many unanswered questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing broad spectrum CBD. . The agency is working on answering these questions through ongoing efforts including feedback from a recent FDA hearing and information and data gathering through a public docket.”  They continued with a list of potential risks people should consider when trying CBD, such as liver damage, drug interactions, and possible male reproduction toxicity. While this can sound all doom-and-gloom, it doesn’t rule CBD out as a viable option for pain relief or a better athletic performance.  Rather, this is good news because it means that the FDA has an interest in bettering the understanding of CBD by growing research and improving regulations. With this in mind, CBD has been by no means categorized as a high-risk substance, but it shouldn’t necessarily be bought on a whim, either. Like with all alternative remedies, it’s strongly recommended that you do your research, and discuss it with a physician whenever possible. Conclusion/Takeaway Despite its initial reputation as a taboo topic among even senior golfing champions, CBD is gaining respect and interest as a way to improve one’s overall constitution, thereby making their athletic performance stronger for tomorrow. While CBD golf can be effective for many individuals, it should be remembered that no type of medication or treatment should be impulsively initiated without any research beforehand. That being said, initial research, consideration and, if possible, consulting with a physician is always strongly recommended. FAQs 

• Will CBD show up on a drug test? 

CBD will not show up on a test. However, if there is a significant amount of THC, traces may show up. That being said, CBD products from reputable brands like Every Day Optimal contain less than 0.6% THC, which is not a significant amount.

• How safe is CBD for golfers? 

CBD shouldn’t affect golfers any differently than any other individual, so long as they don’t take any medications that may cause an interaction, specifically those that also aren’t advised with grapefruit.

• Does CBD really boost energy? 

CBD doesn’t produce any fuel like glucose, but the studies showing its effectiveness as a sleep aid suggest it may help you feel more alert and refreshed in the morning.

• Are CBD topicals legal for golfers to use? 

Yes, CBD topicals, CBD oil tinctures, edibles, capsules and vapes are no longer considered performance-enhancing drugs by PGA, and is legal in all 50 states.

• Is CBD good for golfers? 

Because of its evidence suggesting that it can assist inflammation and promote better rest, individuals may experience better focus and control on the course.