How To Network On The Golf Course

Building Relationships (Networking) on the Golf Course

Barbara HansonGuest Post:
Excerpts from “Hit It, Alice! A Woman’s Golf Guide to Everything But the Swing”

by Barbara Hanson
Available at www.amazon.com/dp/B004X7DPRQ

Why do women stay behind to work in the office, send someone in their place or (my favorite) drive the beverage cart or run the putting contest at a golf outing while their male counterparts play golf? I believe the primary reason is fear of embarrassment in an unfamiliar arena. In other words – lack of confidence.

My daughter was hired at a prominent ad agency shortly after graduating from college. Her boss was often invited to play in business golf tournaments and corporate outings, but she sent Erika instead because she lacked confidence in her own game. Erika loved it! However, Erika, as a newbie in the advertising world, could not make the impact that her boss could have made. An opportunity missed, I’d say!

How can you gain the confidence needed to become a viable “force on the course?” In the same way that you tackle challenges in your business – with knowledge, preparation and strategy. Knowing the specifics of business golf etiquette, preparing yourself physically for the game, and focusing on things other than your own score will give you the confidence you need to drive some business on the golf course.

The real reason you’re at the golf course in the first place is to build relationships in a relaxed environment.

There are two types of on-course business golf outings. One is less intimidating than the other and much easier to start with. It’s the “scramble” format used very commonly in industry tournaments, charity events or company outings. In a scramble, everyone tees off and then the team chooses which drive they like best and everyone hits the second shot from that position. The same procedure is used on every shot until the ball is holed out.

Participation in a scramble doesn’t require a great deal of skill and/or experience. In fact, even a novice can be part of the team and enjoy the day.   However, some golfers are very serious about playing well and being competitive, so if you’re a beginning golfer, be sure to let your group know that in advance.

She just wanted to ride along in the cart. She almost flat-out refused to be part of the scramble team at all, because she’d never played golf. But this was a very casual event. It was more about networking than anything else. So I insisted that she at least putt with us. I got her out of the cart, handed her a putter and told her to just hit it however she wanted. She proceeded to sink about a 50’ putt!! Absolute beginner’s luck! But she was hooked, and enjoyed putting with us for the rest of the round. And she left with a positive feeling about her first golf experience.

The other level of business golf requires a minimum competency level. You should be able to shoot 120 or less for 18 holes. It also requires a fair amount of previous golf experience so that you’re comfortable with rules and etiquette. In this outing you either accept or initiate an invitation to play a round of golf with business as your main focus.  More than likely it will be an 18-hole round at a very nice golf course.

There are many other golf-related opportunities to spend time with a business associate if you can’t or don’t want to play a round of golf. For example, you can initiate something as simple as getting together at a driving range over the lunch hour.

Or if your company is a willing sponsor, you can organize a golf clinic for potential or existing clients. The clinic venue is more low-key and less intimidating for the person with little or no golf experience. Instruction on swing mechanics as well as more informational instruction can both be a part of this type of outing. A clinic (or “mini golf school”) should last two to three hours and can be held in any season of the year. Indoor facilities work just as well as outdoor venues.

A golf league, especially if it’s organized within your business sphere, offers a great opportunity to meet and network with people who can enhance your business.

Never overlook the opportunities for marketing that are present in golf tournaments. There are usually many ways to be a corporate sponsor and make your presence known.

  • You might decide to sponsor a portion of the tournament, such as the dinner or a hole-in-one contest.
  • Or you might want to be a hole sponsor and have your company’s sign displayed there. If you sponsor a hole, it might be best for you to sit at the hole and greet every player as they come through. Maybe you’re even brave enough to make a tee shot challenge.
  • You might offer a special prize for a putting or chipping contest and then be the one to run the contest. You’ll meet a lot of people!

Whatever it is that you do, be sure you yourself are visible and active in the tournament to maximize the networking opportunity.

Barb Hanson, President of Corporate Golf Services, has combined her passion for golf with her skills as a teacher and coach in developing educational golf events and women’s golf programming. As a consultant and speaker, she is an expert at working with both groups and individuals to instill confidence as well as a sense of enjoyment of the game of golf.

Barb is actively involved in furthering women’s golf as Past President of Minnesota Women’s Golf Association, as Regional Vice President with the Minnesota Golf Association, and as the Past President of Women in the Golf Industry. She is also a member of the USGA, has attended the USGA Rules School and regularly volunteers as a rules official.

Barb is a lifetime golfer, carries a 10 handicap and has competed in local, regional and national tournaments.

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