Sunday, September 15, 2024

Essential Tips for Improving Your Golf Game


Golf is a great game for people of all ages and it is definitely something to look into if you are retired and find yourself with some extra time. A lot of retired people find it as a great hobby to keep them active and moving, two things that retired individuals can struggle with. Regardless, no matter how long you've been playing or even if you are just starting out, it is always nice to have a few best practices under your belt.

Golf is a blend of skill, strategy, and precision. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a budding enthusiast, there's always room for improvement. 

If you've recently retired and are looking forward to spending your newfound freedom on the links, these five essential tips for improving your golf game can help you master your swing and lower your score. 

1. Get a Grip

Your grip is the foundation of your golf swing. Without a solid hold on the club, even the best technique can fall flat. A proper grip ensures better control and power during your swing.

Spend time practicing your grip before hitting the course. Use a mirror to check your hand placement and ensure consistency. Over time, a proper grip will become second nature, leading to more accurate and powerful shots.

2. Master Your Stance

A good stance is crucial for balance and power in your golf swing. The way you position your feet, legs, and upper body can significantly affect your game.

Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and distribute your weight evenly. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your upper body should tilt forward from the hips, keeping your spine straight. This position allows for a more fluid and controlled swing.

3. Work on Your Short Game

Golf matches are won and lost in the short game. Mastering putting and chipping can make a significant difference in your overall performance.

At the range, practice chipping onto the practice green from different lies and distances. For putting, create a practice routine that includes various lengths and breaks. Consistency in practice translates to consistency on the course.

4. Sharpen Your Mental Saw

Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Developing strong mental strategies can help you stay focused and perform under pressure.

Before each shot, take a moment to visualize the ball's flight and landing. Picture a successful shot in your mind. This practice can build confidence and reduce anxiety. Remember, every golfer faces challenges, and how you respond sets you apart.

5. Stay Fit

While honing your skills on the golf course is essential, maintaining your wellness off the green is equally important to enhance overall performance. Engaging in physical fitness routines aimed at improving strength, flexibility, and endurance can significantly benefit your game.

Aim for a balanced diet rich in whole foods, hydration, and the right nutrients to fuel your body. Consider incorporating exercises such as yoga or Pilates to improve balance and core stability, which are crucial for a consistent swing. In addition, exploring how chiropractic care can make you a better golfer will help you keep going long into your glory years. My chiropractor often says that he can cut strokes off the game of the average golfer.

Start Seeing Improvements in Your Performance

Improving your golf game takes time, practice, and a willingness to learn. By focusing on these practical areas, you can see significant improvements in your performance. Remember, golf is a journey of continuous learning and growth. Keep practicing, stay patient, and, most importantly, enjoy the game.

It may also help to make sure you have the right equipment when you play, such as using the Calloway Supersoft golf balls!  (Ad) They can make a real difference in your success!  


Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive two monthly emails containing the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about common issues as we age, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit: Logical Positions


Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Veterans: Relieve Stress & Inform Your Family About Your VA Benefits


More than 6 million Americans receive earned benefits for military service - including disability compensation, education benefits, caregiver assistance, burial benefits and more. It is critical for spouses and caregivers to know how veterans benefits are accessed and what could happen when or if a veteran dies.

Consider this scenario. A veteran has not told his spouse much about his veteran’s benefits.  The veteran dies suddenly. His spouse grieves and plans a funeral, which she pays for out of pocket. The $2,500 tax-free payment from the VA for her husband’s disability compensation has stopped being deposited into their bank account, which her spouse managed. Now she struggles to meet her expenses and is afraid she will have to sell their home.

Ultimately, she realizes she must connect with the VA to try to access survivor benefits. As she works her way through the bureaucracy, she struggles to understand what she may be eligible for and knows little about what her husband was receiving. This can be overwhelming during the best of times, but during this period of loss, it adds more stress.

Surviving spouses facing this situation are often approached by agents who offer to help them with VA benefits in return for payment. Faced with what feels like an insurmountable situation, some agree, even though paying for help is not necessary as many free resources are available to assist them.

Here are some tips to help veterans prevent this types of scenario from befalling their loved ones.

Organize veterans benefits paperwork and information in a binder, and/or in a special digital folder that you share with your family. Carefully organize all the documentation related to your military service, your application for benefits, and the decision letters describing service connection. Store paper copies in a fireproof cabinet or safe. It is ideal to scan or photograph paper documentation and to also store it digitally on a computer or thumb drive.

Explain your current veterans benefits to your family. Schedule a day and time to talk one-on-one with your family about the benefits you receive. Get out your binder and digital files and explain to them how the information is organized. Help them understand the situation as it is today.

Discuss what happens to these benefits after you die and what additional benefits the family may receive. Disability compensation payments stop after a veteran dies. Additional  survivor and burial benefits may be available after a veteran’s passing. You can learn more by  checking online at VA.gov or with a veterans service officer (VSO).

Plan ahead for possible financial shortfalls. Even if a survivor benefit is awarded to a widow or widower by the VA, the payment for this benefit will typically be lower than the disability compensation the veteran received while alive. One way to address this income shortfall before the veteran dies is to purchase life insurance that will provide additional income for the spouse.

Give your family contact information for your VSO. Ideally, your spouse should be introduced to the VSO, so the spouse knows who can assist with applying for survivor and burial benefits after the veteran dies.

While these conversations can be tough for many, they can better inform and relieve stress for our families in the future. You want for the people you love to be taken care of after you are gone, so do not delay having these conversations.

Author: Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., served as Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from May 2018 to January 2021. He is the author of “Veterans Benefits for You: Get what You Deserve,” (Ad) published in 2023, which is available for purchase through Amazon. If you are a veteran, you may find this book to be extremely helpful. 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive two monthly emails containing the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about common issues as we age, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit: Pixabay