FEATURE

Improve Your Golf: Play Less & Practice More

By John Campbell

Most golfers who play the game for recreation or in competition have a desire to improve. The irony is that so many fail to appreciate the importance of practice in achieving that goal. Some who play golf regularly only ever pick up their clubs when they play the traditional eighteen holes. When they find this a struggle, the tendency is to try to find a solution while on the course. This seldom produces results.

For anyone who is serious about improving their game, practice is a must. If the best golfers in the professional world feel the need to practice, how much more so the weekend or recreational golfer. While the very thought of practice leaves many feeling cold, the benefits could mean it is time well spent. Practice may not make perfect, but it will help.

Finding time to practice might be the main stumbling block for golfers who want to improve, but even limited opportunities can make a difference. If finding time is the issue, make sure that during practice, the focus is on the areas of your game that require more attention. Do you struggle with your chipping around the green? Are you a chronic three-putter? Pinpointing the main fault in your game determines what you should be doing during practice sessions.

It is very common to see golfers on the driving range pounding balls with the driver. However, if the real cause of high scoring on the course is down to a poor short game, then this needs to be given priority. Spending an hour at your local course chipping around the green will be more advantageous to improving your game.

If you were to study your scorecards and discover that the total strokes includes numerous threeputts, spending some time practicing your lag putting should be the obvious strategy. Whatever area of your game is adding strokes due to poor execution, this should be given priority during those times you have available for practice. While it may be more enjoyable to be hitting buckets of balls on the driving range, identifying the problem areas of your game and working on them is more likely to reduce your handicap.

The notion that spending less time playing golf could actually improve your game may seem a strange one. The point, of course, is that if you only ever play golf and never practice, the likelihood of improvement is slim. Working on specific areas of your game can make all the difference. If you are someone who loves to play golf and you want to lower your handicap, spending less time on the course and more time on the practice area could be the answer.

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SHOULD EMPTY NESTERS GET A NEW PET?

By Amber Arevalos

Most people look for companionship, whether it is through human contact or animals. Without this companionship, some may feel empty or feel as if they have no purpose. At some point you had to care for and nurture your children, but now you find yourself with extra time on your hands. Empty nesting can be challenging and emotional. An option some empty nesters choose is to invest in a pet. Is this a wise choice for you, and what may the benefits be? Pets are a commitment. Just like having children they need structure and a routine. They require you to feed them, clean up after them, and most importantly, exercise. Although they can be trained to do various things, they will require your attention no matter how old they get. Pets are an adjustment since most children are self reliant by a certain age.

When your children leave the nest, some of your freedom is regained. Bringing a pet into the home will require some patience and sacrifice. Taking vacations or outings where pets are not allowed will require sitters or some type of care for your pet may be considered. Some types of pets, specifically dog breeds that require attentiveness, will be difficult to care for with a full time job and social life.

Not all the choices to get a pet are negative. The benefits can be so great! Adopting a pet can bring comfort, love, joy, excitement and purpose. Pets are loyal and natural companions. Pets will get you to move more and stay active since they depend on you to engage them and keep them moving.

In some cases, pets can even make it easier to gain friends. As we get older, we become focused on our kids, and it becomes difficult to find friends. Pets allow you to interact with other pet owners at dog parks or pet classes.

Some types of dogs can benefit those with health concerns or risks. There are dogs that are intuitive to specific health conditions and can help with depression and anxiety. Empty nesters often experience depression and anxiety, so having a pet may calm and relieve symptoms.

Cats, dogs, bunnies, lizards and other pets can all help with the feelings that come with empty nest syndrome. Although it may seem like a burden in some cases, there are many benefits to taking in a pet. Be prepared to care for something day and sometimes night and consider the pros and cons.

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