Next Big Thing in Golf Gear is Performance…Mouthwear?

Next Big Thing in Golf Gear is Performance…Mouthwear?

(original blog post David Baun, Golf Vacation Insider)

I was going to wait until I had a chance to test this out before telling you about it, but Hunter Mahan’s impressive PGA Tour win over the weekend seemed a little too coincidental to ignore.

You see, Mahan is one of a growing number of pro golfers and other athletes who are starting to wear custom, “performance mouthwear” during competition…and they’re swearing it’s helping them perform much better (Saturday and Sunday rounds of 65? I should say so.)

Let me say right off the bat, I tend to be pretty skeptical about performance gear (sorry, Adidas, that performance underwear just didn’t cut it).

However, the fact that Mahan’s win came the day before I was scheduled to pick up my very own, custom-made mouthpiece from my dentist seemed like a message from the golf gods.

According to Bite Tech, which has partnered with popular sports apparel maker Under Armour to create, “Under Armour Performance Mouthwear,” here is how it works:

“Clenching the jaw triggers the production and release of a cascade of hormones, including cortisol, the stress hormone. Performance Mouthwear prevents teeth clenching and relieves pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). By preventing the excessive production of hormones, the body is able to unlock its full potential.”

This should translate to less stress, fatigue and distraction on the golf course – and lower scores. I am looking forward to trying the product over the next several months and reporting back to you with my findings.

If you are inclined to try it, too, the product is available through a select number of dentists throughout the country (a list of which can be found on the Bite Tech website).

It takes two, short appointments to create a mouthpiece: one to have the molds taken, and a second for your final fitting. Prices vary, depending on the model that suits your needs.

By the way, according to Bite Tech:

“More than 1,000 professional, collegiate and Olympic athletes are already using Bite Tech’s performance mouthwear technology, including Adrian Peterson, Larry Fitzgerald, Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, Michael Cuddyer, Ray Allen, Marian Gaborik and Zach Parise.”

And here are some quotes from other sports standouts appearing on the Bite Tech website:

“It has increased my strength, power and heightened my accuracy.”

—Hunter Mahan, PGA Pro

“When the game is on the line I want my body and mind to be 100% in sync, this technology makes that happen for me.”

—Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers, NHL All-Star

“…helps me to stay calm and focused in critical competitive situations….”

—Jason Rogers, U.S. Fencing Team

“…I’ve got power in the 3rd period I didn’t have before. I love this product.”

—Caitlin Cahow, U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team

“I have noticed a huge difference in my breathing and concentration…”

—John Paul Tomich, U.S. Extreme Snowboarder

I guess you could say these pros are literally putting their money where their mouth is (sorry, couldn’t resist).

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Some great replies to the original entry also worth reading - click here

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