Golf can't be your only retirement plan: a pro-golfer's tips for a better life | Opinion
Spring is here, and for many of us, that means more time for outdoor recreation. The weather is nicer, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy and work on your game of choice.
Here are five things you can do to stay active and healthy and improve on and off the course, court or field this year. For those who have chosen golf, I’ll see you on the fairway.
More: Tennessee Voices, Episode 346: Panel discussion on public golf courses in Nashville
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Make a plan
Experts say you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. It can be a simple list, but it should include the following:
A realistically aggressive numerical goal. For golfers, this could be lowering your handicap by three strokes.
The average number of times you’ll play your outdoor sport weekly.
A supportive plan for aging, so you can keep your head in the game. As part of our plan, my wife, Hannah, and I found a Continuing Care at Home program, LiveWell By Blakeford, which combines the best of long-term care, home care and retirement community living in an innovative package of benefits. It gives us peace of mind that we’re set up for whatever life may throw our way without placing the burden of care on our family, allowing us to live independently at home and keep playing as long as possible.
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Focus on nutrition
I recently learned more about good nutrition and its impact on and off the course. I started with a dietary allergen test and personalized diet plan that eliminated sensitive foods. These are some other practical things we do to help us eat healthier:
Meal prep to stay on track with new lifestyle changes.
Don’t keep extra food in the house, particularly sweets.
Limit alcohol and eating out, not because we want to, but because you can’t argue with the results.
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Get fit
Fitness is vital in every area of our lives. We receive an annual fitness consultation from LiveWell by Blakeford that sets us up for success as we age. In addition, I work with my trainer, Bruce Lyon, to improve my fitness, which helps my golf game and translates to other outdoor sports. I also receive weekly adjustments from my chiropractor, Derek Leist, from Prevail Rehab and Fitness.
You can find videos of my at-home routine in the fitness section of my website, www.billbreen.com.
Improve your mental game
Although physical fitness is essential, mental fitness is just as crucial to success in your sport. These are my go-to books to sharpen my thinking.
"How Champions Think" by Dr. Bob Rotella
"Mental Toughness Training for Sports" by James Loehr
"With Winning In Mind" by Lanny Bassham
Journaling also exercises my brain, reveals patterns, keeps me on track with my plan and allows me to remove thoughts that may not be contributing to my wellness. Regularly engaging our minds in this way is crucial as we age, especially because Hannah has a family history of dementia. While we find solace in knowing that we have priority access to memory care through LiveWell, we do what we can to strengthen our brain health now.
Create a routine
Experts say it takes around 66 days to form a habit, and the best way to make it stick is to do it daily. Fitness and playing your game should be a part of your routine. If you are a golfer, make time to hold a club every day. Consistency is the best way to maintain your game, health and wellness.
While golf is a large part of our lifestyle, our routine and plan for aging also ensure it isn’t all-consuming. We love building in the freedom to travel and explore wherever we play golf around the world and enjoy our home with friends and family in the off-season.
Don’t forget to rest. Whatever that looks like for you, it will round out your life and give you the mental break you need to perform consistently well all season.
Bill Breen is one of the top-ranked senior professional golfers in Tennessee. A PGA member since 1989, Bill has taught thousands of golfers, from beginners to the tour level, for over 30 years.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Golf can't be your only retirement plan; some tips for a better life
