As the Irish Open approaches, we look at how planning ahead can lead to better results in both golf and retirement.
Anyone who has ever played golf knows that feeling. You hit one glorious shot straight down the middle of the fairway and, for a few seconds at least, wonder whether you’ve finally cracked it.
Then you hit the next one into the trees… so golf definitely has a habit of keeping us humble.
As the Irish Open brings together some of the world’s best players, we’ll see plenty of spectacular shots. But what separates the very best golfers isn’t just the ability to produce one moment of brilliance.
It’s what they do again and again. They plan, they practise, they stay patient. And when something doesn’t quite go to plan, they adjust and move on.
There might be a lesson in there for the rest of us – particularly when it comes to planning for retirement.
If you already have a pension, you’ve made an important move towards looking after your future. But there can be a temptation to think: Pension? Have one. Job done!
In reality, having a pension is like having a set of golf clubs. It’s a very good start, but what you do with it over time matters too. As we move through our 40s, 50s and 60s, life can look very different.
Maybe the mortgage is getting smaller. Your children might be heading towards college or beginning careers of their own. You might be earning more than you did 10 or 20 years ago. Or you might have started thinking more seriously about what you’d like life after work to look like.
That can make it a good time to check in on your pension and ask, ‘Is it still on course to give me the retirement I want?’ But a lot of us aren’t quite sure if we’re on course.
The New Retirement Reality Report published in 2026 found that while 74pc of workers say they manage their day-to-day finances well, 79pc don’t feel prepared for retirement. And among those aged 55 to 64, just 10pc say they feel financially prepared1.
The question, then, is whether your current pension is heading towards the future you have in mind. For Zurich, planning for retirement is about focusing on what can go right when you plan ahead.
“Retirement planning shouldn’t just be about worrying about the future. It’s about looking forward to it,” says Kristen Foran, National Sales Director at Zurich. “Having a good plan in place can give you greater confidence about what’s ahead and help you focus on the life you’ve worked hard to enjoy.”
Golf tournaments are usually won through hundreds of decisions: which club to take, when to attack, when to play safe and how to recover when the ball doesn’t land exactly where expected.
The same long-game mentality can be useful with a pension. You don’t necessarily need to completely rethink your finances. Sometimes it is just about reviewing what you already have, understanding how your pension is performing and seeing whether you could be doing a little more.
Even the world’s best golfers have people around them. A good caddie knows the course, understands the player and can offer advice when an important decision needs to be made.
And it seems many of us would welcome some guidance when it comes to retirement too. The same 2026 Irish research found that 60pc of workers would welcome working with a professional to help them plan for retirement.
That doesn’t mean you have to become an investment expert or spend your evenings studying financial markets. A Zurich financial advisor can help you understand your existing pension, the options available to you, and whether topping it up could help you move closer to the retirement you have in mind.
Because just like golf, sometimes having someone there to help you with the next shot can make the next decision a little easier.
Kristen says, “Having a pension is a great start, but it’s important not to simply set it up and forget about it. Just like golf, good results come from looking ahead, checking your progress and making adjustments along the way.
“Reviewing your pension and considering whether you can contribute more can help give you greater choice and confidence about the retirement ahead.”
One of the nice things about planning for retirement is that it gives you permission to think about the future positively. Where would you like to go? What would you like to do? Who would you like to help?
And what would make retirement feel like the reward for all those years of work? Whether you’re trying to put together a winning round at the Irish Open or planning for life after work, there’s a lot to be said for playing the long game.
Performance is powerful. Performance is what turns good into great. Performance will make it all worthwhile. At Zurich, they know that when it comes to pensions, performance counts.
Topping up your pension can give you the retirement you deserve. Get in touch with a Zurich financial advisor or find a local financial advisor near you with the Zurich Advisor Finder to talk about your options. With a wide range of options, control and flexibility, you can choose a pension plan that’s right for you.
Sources:
Financial Planning Standards Board Ireland, 2026: The New Retirement Reality Report
The information contained herein is based on Zurich Life’s understanding of current Revenue practice and may change in the future.
This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice.
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