Golf's Lessons on Retiring Well

Golf and retirement are both aspirational pursuits, but pressures are building against the notion of retirement. The social, individual and demographic challenges that we face pose significant questions as to whether we can meet our individual financial goals. Successfully reaching retirement, in whatever form it takes for you, is a game of patience, discipline and persistence. The great game of golf teaches us lessons from the risk/reward relationship to the psychological aspects of perfectionism, fear and greed. -Learn the connection between postage stamps and prize money. Why you shouldn't have a Hummer in a trailer park. What golf balls have in common with mutual funds. What are your financial scoring clubs. What is your personal par. The burden to fund your future is fast becoming yours alone. The financial round you are playing is stroke play, where every shot counts. You have already teed off, but just where in your round are you, and how will you fare when you finish at the 18th hole?

George K Slyman Jr. entered the financial services industry in 1983, the very same year he first picked up a golf club. He is a CFP certificant, and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). More importantly, he is an avid, nearly rabid, golf nut. Born in Brooklyn New York, he and his family now reside in southern New Hampshire.

Information, articles and comments George has submitted have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Financial Planning Magazine, Golf Business Magazine and Golf Today Magazine. His handicap is more volatile than an emerging markets fund.