Returning below the threshold took two minutes to three minutes in some cases. So, the advice is, get in better shape to increase the anaerobic threshold so you don't find yourself going over it while playing golf. Good ways to improve golf fitness would be doing intervals on a treadmill or taking a spinning class.

"Weightlifting can come into play, too," Wolkodoff says. "As you go up a hill, whether you're carrying your own body weight, or a carry bag or a pushcart, the stronger your arms and legs are, the better you can make it up that hill without fatigue."

Wolkodoff measured subjects' respiratory exchange ratio (RER), which can be used to determine which fuels - carbs or fats - are being used during exercise. The RERs for all four tests were between 0.85 and 0.88, meaning players had shifted from burning all fat to using equal amounts of fats and carbohydrates, but hadn't yet reached the point where they were burning all carbs.

It means an energy bar with the approximately the same combination of what the players are burning is optimal for replenishment, and probably better than pure carbohydrates, such as the apple we often see Woods eating on the course ... or a bag of pretzels.

Not that it's any knock on Tiger's diet.

"The thing with Tiger is, he's not just eating the apple," Wolkodoff says. "He's had a good meal beforehand. If he had a regular Gatorade, that's the equivalent of eating five apples. If he eats one apple per round, or one per nine, he's just doing it to add a little energy and maybe fill up his stomach."

So, is golf a sport?

Answer: It certainly is a sport, but probably not the only sport you would need to play if you really want to get fit. But getting fit on the treadmill or in the weight room will definitely diminish fatigue on the golf course and, in turn, help you play better.

(China Daily December 24, 2008)