Oct 13 2007
GOLF MEANS BUSINESS
Are you aware that nearly 90% of
Fortune 500 CEO’s, play golf?
It is the international sport of business. In certain industries, clients and prospects play golf as a way of doing business. If your clients and prospects play, then you need to be out on the course with them. It is important to understand how the game of golf can help you develop your business, as well as benefit you personally.
Have you ever been the one stuck in the office, while others are out playing golf? Doesn’t that just make you wonder what all the fuss is? You get the invitation, but you turn it down saying, “no I just can’t”. To be perfectly honest, you can! Saying You Can’t has two meanings:
- You either don’t know how to, or
- You don’t want to.
The questions I have for you here are … where is your career heading and where do you want it to go? Golf is the only game you can play and develop a conversation at the same time. Not only that, you gain an understanding of the persons personality you are either doing business with or about to do business with. The game of golf is more popular than ever. Understand the importance of golf in business, so you aren’t left out of the business meetings held on the golf course.
Let’s look at these four important points:
- Discover the professional and personal benefits of golf.
- Learn another language of business—“the game of golf”.
- Learn how playing business golf can save you time.
- What you can learn about your playing partners.
1. Discover the professional and personal benefits of golf.
Golf is one of the only sports you can play and do business with at the same time. Think about it. It takes you 30-60 seconds to assess the situation (the distance, carry, lie, and wind), take a club out of the bag, take a practice swing, setup and hit the ball. The rest of the 4-5 hours you’re walking or riding in a golf cart with the undivided attention of your client. Need I say more!
Personally, golf is an exceptional sport for many reasons. Since you don’t need anyone to hit the ball back to you, and it’s just you and the golf course, you are not competing against anyone. That being said it physically makes for an inviting sport for spouses, siblings and families to play.
2. Learn another language of business—the game of golf.
Have you ever found yourself at work listening to your co-workers having a conversation that you could not be a part of? If you don’t play golf, you are likely to come across one of those talks. Golf talk happens everyday in offices around the water cooler and world. Just pay attention after a Major, like The Masters, US or British Open. I guarantee golf talk is occurring around the water cooler. You need to be a part of that conversation! The game of golf contends with the game of business! Learn the language and you will be invited to the next company outing.
3. Learn how playing business golf can save you time.
A day of golf with three clients in one place will get a lot more done than you think. Not only will you be with them on the course for an extended period of time, but there is likely breakfast or lunch before the round and lunch or drinks after the round. Now you’ve created a new relationship and the phone call tomorrow has a different tone! It’s a beautiful thing.
4. What you can learn about your playing partners.
Here is where everything happens or not. You can learn so much from your playing partner by the actions he or she carries out on the golf course.
Some things to observe are:
- Cheating
- Misrepresenting their score (ahem, cheating)
- Shouting absentees
- Throwing clubs
- Stomping feet
- Mistreating the caddy
- Neatness in appearance
You can learn a lot by observing what they do and don’t do. Many top executives will not do business with someone until they play golf with them. Now you understand why.
How you can get started in golf:
- Take lessons with a professional golf instructor
- Understand the important rules and etiquette of golf.
- Play with friends until you feel comfortable enough to entertain on your own.
- Join the EWGA (an executive women’s golf league). It forces you to get out there and play
- Subscribe to a golf magazine (Golf for Women, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine)
The Bottom Line
Learn to play golf and you will learn to play better business!
“In body, mind power and spirit”
Randy
Great approach. We should compare notes sometime.
[…] Do you use Golf for business? Have you ever used golf for business? What was your experience? Being a golf pro at various clubs I saw a lot of business relationships develop on the course. I was often brought in to the foursome to alleviate the tension of the day. Yes, it can be challenging if you are trying to impress someone, but that’s the case in golf in all situations. The point of doing business golf is to create a lasting relationship that builds repore. If you are brand new at the game you have a few options: 1) get some (professional) lessons beforehand so you feel comfortable, 2) be honest that you are a new golfer, or 3) suggest a scramble format. Did you know that nearly 90% of Fortune 500 CEO
Veronica
I just wanted to say that the quality of your site is exceptional. On top of all that it really complements the content that is provided by your site.
Golf Reveals True Character
I meet a lot of people on the course, some of whom end up being my clients. Some of whom I decline to represent because their character, as revealed on the course, shows I don’t want them as clients. Existing clients are great to play with as a way of just getting away from business and solidifying existing friendships. All good. PLAY MORE GOLF!
Golf Guy
California
Re: Do you use Golf for business?
We have a corporate membership at a nice course here and 2~3 out of 4 fridays a month, we take someone out who give us work.
Also we get taken out be suppliers once a month!
Is it great for business, get to talk in a relaxed atmosphere and its more a socialble chat about work and i find people are more open then if we were talking over the phone etc
Other great thing is a day off work getting paid to play
Logie
Cardiff, UK
Re: Do you use Golf for business?
Thumbs up to all of this. I believe there is more business done on the golf course than most offices. If you have a customer or potential customer, it is much easier to open up over a round of golf than in a conference room. Human nature causes people to hold things in or build up a wall. There is something about the golf course that breaks that barrier down. If you dont use this tactic, start to, it will pay you dividends.
Oh yeah, one more point, like the pro said, if you are not very good or are embarrased to show of your skills, form a best ball type match or scramble format to take the pressure off the individual.
J
__________________
Jaybird