Rumor has it that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson used CBD at the Masters.
What Does CBD Oil Have to Do with Golf?
Professional golfers suffer from many of the same ailments as any other athlete, be it mentally or physically. Did you know that many professional and casual golf players like to indulge in cannabis while playing? CBD oil may help golfers with any health issue, or even to improve focus during the game. Both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, are well-known to have aches and pains, so CBD is an easy choice with it being allowed in the PGA.
Most opt for taking CBD oil orally. Our oils are designed to be diffused under your tongue and if you are afraid of drug testing, our crystals can also be taken under the tongue or added to food or drinks for ingestion. Plain CBD oil may have somewhat of a grass flavored taste that is off-putting for some, so some prefer to have the unflavored crystal powder. Ingesting CBD is great for long term use, but it may take some time for the effects to really kick in.
For a faster effect, some prefer either inhaling CBD or using a CBD infused nose spray. However, it vaping and nose spray also wears off much quicker. These products may have a slight cannabis scent, but they still do not contain THC.
Lastly, topical creams and ointments are a way for athletes to incorporate CBD into their daily regimen. For any pain they may have, CBD infused creams can be used to decrease the pain much like an arthritic pain cream would.
In Canada, cannabis is already legal for both recreational and medical use. B.C. Golf performed a survey that examined golfers’ attitudes towards cannabis.
According to the survey, players under 35 (78% of golfers) indicated that they are at least somewhat comfortable with the idea of cannabis consumption on the golf course.
However, only 27% of players over 55 are happy to share the course with cannabis consumers.
Interestingly, one in seven golfers said they planned to hit the golf course after they consume cannabis, but those numbers were heavily skewed by the age distribution of golfers. Among players under 35, fully half said they planned to smoke cannabis while golfing.
Rolling Greens, calls itself “Canada’s first cannabis-themed golf and entertainment destination.” Yes, cannabis consumers can smoke and play some golf. As a private members’ club, the course is not subject to restrictions on public cannabis consumption. This allows the club to let golfers indulge while playing a round of golf. The course also offers disc golf, mini-golf, and fairground rides.
Cannabis and Professional Golf
While amateur golfers can enjoy a cannabis-enhanced round of golf for fun, the same is not the case for those who play golf professionally. Professionals have to be careful about their consumption as cannabis is still prohibited by the US Anti-Doping Agency. This means players risk their careers by using cannabis, and the punishment is no joke. The consequences of testing positive on a drug test include disqualification, surrendering of prize money, fines of up to $500,000. It’s also possible to be suspended from playing from one year to a lifetime.
Robert Garrigus has already fallen victim to pro golf’s strict THC ban. Garrigus is a pro golfer who also owns a legal cannabis farm in Washington State. He was banned for three months after testing positive for THC. Although Garrigus stopped using medical cannabis, he is still an advocate for professional golfers’ right to medicate. He is actively pushing the PGA tour to remove cannabis from its banned substances list.
Professional Golfers and CBD
As THC remains strictly prohibited on the professional golf course, a number of professional golfers are using CBD and a growing list of players have either admitted using CBD or have sponsorship deals with CBD companies. Players using Ambien to sleep and ibuprofen to control their pain are now turning to CBD products as a more natural way to feel relief. Many athletes would take over-the-counter pain killers like candy, not knowing the effects or what it could do to your kidney and liver. It’s an issue many athletes face, including golfers at every level.
CBD Safe for Golfers, but PGA Tour Advises Caution
While pro golfers are currently permitted to consume CBD, the PGA Tour still advises caution. Tour Senior Vice President of Tournament Administration, Andy Levinson told ESPN:
“There’s very, very little FDA regulation over the supplement industry as a whole, so if a player wants to take any supplements, whether it’s CBD, or a multivitamin, or a protein powder, they need to understand that there is risk associated with that regardless of the manufacturer, because there is very little FDA regulation over the industry.” “There is no guarantee that what is on the label is actually contained in the product.”
The tour’s warnings were echoed by a spokesperson for the US Anti-Doping Agency, who told Reuters that “it is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a pure CBD extract or oil from the cannabis plant. Anyone who buys a CBD oil, extract or other CBD product should assume that it is a mixture of CBD and other cannabinoids.”
While cannabis is seeing greater acceptance at all levels of sports, pro golfers would be wise to follow USADA and PGA Tour advice. Nordic Oil CBD oils still contain 0.2% THC,Nordic Oil CBD e-liquids, and CBD crystals contain no THC. Therefore, there’s no risk of testing positive on a drug test while using these products.
Do you use CBD before or during a round of golf? Does it help you? Share your experiences in the comment section below!
