‘Hot’... The Nicotine Debate Unfolding in the Golf World

Golf Digest Survey on Nicotine Use Among Golfers
Snedeker PGA Uses Pouches Over Half the Time
Arousal Effects, Relaxation, Endurance Improvement Benefits
Addiction, Hypersensitivity, Fatigue, Withdrawal, Heart Risks Highlighted

When office workers experience a drop in concentration and need a break, they consume something: caffeine. They refresh themselves by drinking caffeine beverages such as coffee. According to the academic journal PNAS Nexus, caffeine affects sleep patterns and cerebral blood flow. Caffeine has effects that increase heart rate, respiration, physical energy, and mental alertness. It helps with weight loss and improves exercise performance. However, excessive intake can cause headaches, tension, anxiety, dizziness, and stomach pain.

The golf community is engaged in a heated debate over players' use of nicotine.

So, what do professional golfers competing in worldwide tours use to achieve an awakening effect? The answer is nicotine. Players such as Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, John Daly (all from the United States), and Miguel ?ngel Jim?nez (Spain) have used nicotine. In the United States, all athletes are free and legally allowed to use nicotine.

The American golf media outlet Golf Digest recently covered the nicotine controversy in the golf world. Nicotine comes in various forms. Oral nicotine pouches, which are placed between the upper lip and gums for absorption, are the trend. There are also jelly-type and patch-type nicotine products. With the emergence of pouches, nicotine use in golf has surged. Representative pouch brands include ZYN, Rogue, Zone, LYFT, On!, and VELO.

Brant Snedeker claimed that more than half of the players on the PGA Tour use nicotine. Photo by Golf Digest

Golf Digest conducted interviews with about 100 players regarding nicotine. Through an interview with Brant Snedeker (USA), a “non-nicotine user,” the widespread nicotine issue on the PGA Tour was raised. Snedeker claimed, "More than half of the players on the PGA Tour use nicotine pouches." The media outlet stated, "It appears that 25-30% of LIV Golf members use nicotine." A player competing in LIV Golf said, "When going to tournaments in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Hong Kong, we end up buying out all the nicotine stores."

Sam Ryder (USA) shared his personal experience with the effects of nicotine. It was during the first round of the Honda Classic in February 2022. He recorded a staggering 6-over par in the first 8 holes. He felt the need to change the atmosphere. He put nicotine in his mouth. After that, he made 6 birdies in the remaining 10 holes. He scored 40 on the front nine and 31 on the back nine. He finished the tournament tied for 9th place (71-68-69-70).

Recently, nicotine with reduced harmful content has been released in various forms. Photo by Golf Digest

Ryder said, "I needed to regroup, and after taking nicotine, I got into a good flow. I finished the remaining rounds with nicotine in my mouth." Pat Perez (USA), who has three PGA Tour wins, is also a golfer who uses nicotine. He currently plays in LIV Golf, which is sponsored by Saudi Arabian oil capital. He smiled and said, "I take out nicotine when I make a bogey. If I only made birdies, there would be no reason to carry nicotine." Some players choose nicotine during training as well. Tim Herron (USA), who plays on the PGA Tour Champions (senior tour), said, "When practice sessions get long, I need nicotine. It has become part of my routine."

Like caffeine, nicotine also has advantages. According to research, nicotine actually boosts physical vitality. It also sharpens mental acuity. Nicotine has a stimulant effect. It lifts sagging energy and enhances concentration. There are studies suggesting it helps with tension relief, endurance, reaction time, and memory improvement. Recently, products with reduced nicotine content have been released. Some opinions suggest that using nicotine pouches significantly lowers the risk of cancer.

However, nicotine does not only have positive aspects. It also has critical drawbacks. First, long-term use can lead to nicotine addiction. One can become overly dependent on nicotine. Dr. Frank Etscorn, an emeritus professor at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and the developer of the nicotine patch in 1986, warned, "The more you use nicotine, the more your body craves it. Many become addicted for life." It can also cause hypersensitivity, fatigue, and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms may appear, and it can pose risks to the heart and circulatory system.