Old Duffer is often asked questions like this :                "I have been playing professionally for twenty years now, and am finding it increasingly stressful maintaining my playing standards whilst finding time for the more worthwhile things in life. What can I do about this?"

The easiest of the possible solutions to consider is that it may be time to give up serious playing. I did this myself some 20 years ago and have never looked back. Not only was my attitude instantly more relaxed but, without the need for rigorous practice, I was able to devote time and attention to the more important and interesting things in life and also to my family.

I'd love to do this, but how would I earn enough                                                         money to pay the all the bills?

If you decide on this course of action it is obviously essential that you don't inform anyone that you work for about your decision. That would be economic suicide. It's probably best if you tell no one. With your relaxed manner and increased confidence replacing endurance, accuracy and technique, it will take them years to find out what you've done, by which time you'll probably have retired anyway. You may even find that, being more fun to be around, you get more work than you did before. Chat to fixers, buy them drinks, find out their children's names and ask after them.

But will I live longer as a result?

Yes, but it won't feel that way.

Disclaimer: Duffchops.com accepts no liability for any loss of earnings or status which might result from following Old Duffer's advice and publishes it for interest only without any claims for its success.