Beta Blockers Equal Lower Golf Scores?

With the season opener tournament of the LPGA Tour this week comes a new standard in the world of golf random drug testing. Testing on the PGA tour will begin with the John Deere Classic in July and testing on the nationwide tour is projected for November. One of the banned substances, beta blockers, are a class of medications used in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). Beta blockers are taken before a performance situation to reduce symptoms of anxiety such as a rapid heart rate and hand tremors. When the difference between a multi-million dollar purse and second place can come down to the steadiness of a golfer’s hands on a final putt – it is easy to see why the use of these medications might compromise the sport. What do you think? Should beta blockers be banned substances for athletes? Should the rules be different for competitors diagnosed with SAD? Have your say on the SAD forum.