As we are deep into golf season, it’s worth noting that the sport is arguably the most open to the use of CBD by golfers. For a whole host of reasons, chewing CBD gummies or administering CBD balm seems to be a growing phenomenon as players cope with a gruelling series of events.
The golf press is heralding the cannabis-derived compound for its anti-anxiety properties to counter nerves, pain management for ongoing injury issues and for recovery from the long amounts of time spent playing week after week. Most important is how CBD helps muscle recover faster.
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CBD increasing alertness on fairways and greens
Players are also citing it as helpful for alertness and staying focused through the rounds. CBD is an approved substance according to the World Anti-Doping Authority but perhaps no other sport has embraced it like golf, from amateur to pro.
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Players are openly endorsing CBD products. These include 2009 US Open winner Lucas Glover, who reportedly uses a daily user of a mix of CBD products, including sleeping tablets. The product Glover endorses, Medterra CBD, is also endorsed by PGA tour pros Morgan Hoffmann and Charley Hoffman (who suffers from muscular dystrophy).
Bubba Watson, former world No.2 and a two-time winner of the US Masters, has a deal with cbdMD and will wear the brand’s logo on his headwear. Unsurprisingly CBD is even more popular on the senior tour – the PGA Tour Champions – where it is estimated around 50 professionals use some sort of CBD product.
Golf retail availability
From a purely retail perspective, Medterra has partnered with major golf brands, including Worldwide Golf Shops, which introduced the company’s CBD tinctures, soft-gels, and creams nationwide in May. Worldwide Golf Shops claims to have 80 stores across 20 US states and describes itself as “one of the nation’s largest discount golf equipment retailers.”
A number of golf retail outlets including club pro shops have also started to sell CBD products and a CBD company even had a booth at a recent PGA merchandise show.
PGA warnings
The PGA has warned players to be vigilant in terms of the products they use having THC as an ingredient. THC is banned by the tour but it is possible that some CBD products could have a blend of both.
Both the PGA and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have warned. “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 be aware that it may be a mixture of CBD and other cannabinoids.”
