| Although most of us dont get the chance to win a | | | | participants how they feel when they play with |
| million dollars by playing in the final group on Sunday, | | | | someone who plays with poor etiquette or cheats |
| we can still play golf and make lots of money. Unlike | | | | during a round of golf. Most of them agree that its a |
| most other sports, golf is the game of business. Men | | | | turn-off to have to play under those circumstances, |
| and women across the globe, play the game as both | | | | and they do so only to maintain the business. Other |
| recreation, and as a way of doing business. From pro | | | | business golfers, such as financial consultants, who |
| tours to recreational golfers worldwide, golf is truly | | | | are concerned with a clients integrity and |
| an international sport. | | | | reasonableness of expectations, have said they wont |
| As a business golf speaker, consultant, and author, I | | | | do business with that person if they dont enjoy their |
| teach business professionals how they can utilize golf | | | | round of golf. And, if they cheat, theyll find another |
| to strengthen their business relationships and increase | | | | client that they can trust. |
| sales. I discovered the power of business golf while I | | | | To make a positive impression about who you are |
| was a practicing attorney in San Francisco specializing | | | | and the company you work for, play your business |
| in commercial real estate transactions. | | | | golf rounds with proper etiquette and know the basic |
| Whether talking with clients, or at a networking | | | | rules of golf. You dont want to sabotage your |
| event, I always felt the rapport level deepened when | | | | business relationships when youre trying to solidify |
| the conversation turned to golf. Golfers always seem | | | | them. |
| to enjoy talking about the game, whether its their | | | | Golf & Money-Making Tip #4: Dont Bet with Your |
| own, or the great shot they saw on television by a | | | | Playing Partners |
| tour pro. | | | | I played a round of golf with three business |
| Here are six tips on how you can play golf and make | | | | associates/friends where a small bet for a round of |
| money. For those of you who play already, choose | | | | drinks on the back nine turned ugly. One players |
| one or two and make them a part of your business | | | | fierce competitiveness came out and you could feel |
| golf game. If you dont play yet, I hope theyll inspire | | | | the tension on every tee and green. It was a shock |
| you to take up the game. | | | | to my friend and me as we felt the change in |
| Golf & Money-Making Tip #1: Schedule Your Golf! | | | | personality over a simple bet for drinks. |
| If you dont play golf often, or dont know how to | | | | If youre playing golf for business with clients or |
| play at all, youre less likely to obtain the benefits of | | | | prospects, dont suggest a bet. It creates a win-lose |
| playing business golf. Its like the lottery. If you dont | | | | feeling, which isnt what you want during a business |
| buy a ticket, youll never win the jackpot! | | | | golf round. If your playing partner suggests a wager, |
| One obstacle for many people is that they believe | | | | and you cant get out of making one, then make it a |
| they dont have time to play. If time is an issue for | | | | small wager like drinks or lunch, rather than hard cash. |
| you, then make it a goal, schedule time in your | | | | Regardless of the wager, make sure youre |
| organizer or PDA for a reasonable number of rounds | | | | comfortable losing, and assume youve lost the bet. |
| of golf or practice sessions you want to have per | | | | That way your competitiveness wont come out |
| month. Perhaps you want to play a business golf | | | | during the round and sabotage your |
| round once a month (when weather permits) and | | | | relationship-building goal of the round. |
| spend 30-45 minutes per week at a driving range. | | | | Remember your business golf rounds are a time to |
| If you fine-tune your swing during the winter, youll | | | | deepen your relationshipsits not a time to try to play |
| be ready for golf in the spring. One way to fit golf | | | | your best round of golf to beat your playing partners. |
| into your schedule: put a few irons, your 3-wood, and | | | | Golf & Money-Making Tip #5: Play Golf as a Single |
| putter in the trunk of your car. The next time youre | | | | A client told me that she started to sign up for golf |
| stuck in traffic or have time in between | | | | tournaments as a single. She was excited because |
| appointments, stop at a local golf course or driving | | | | her technique workedshe got a new client worth |
| range, and have a practice session. It beats sitting in | | | | about $1 million dollars! |
| traffic and getting road rage. | | | | As a single player, she entered a golf tournament, |
| If you dont play golf yet, winter is the best time to | | | | which was sponsored by her trade association in the |
| learn how to play. Why? Golf professionals at your | | | | credit card industry. She was teamed with three |
| local golf course usually have more time for you. | | | | others, and fortuitously shared a cart with a business |
| During the peak summer days, the professional is in | | | | owner. While playing together, she learned about his |
| high demand, with lessons scheduled back-to-back, | | | | business and his business needs. As the tournament |
| and will be less inclined or unable to spend extra time | | | | activities were winding down, she mentioned that she |
| with you. Ask some golfing friends for referrals to a | | | | thought her company had some solutions for him and |
| local golf professional at a covered or indoor driving | | | | asked if she could call to talk about it. After a couple |
| range. If you take lessons now, youll be ready to hit | | | | of meetings, she sold him on her services and her |
| the course when everyone else is ready to play. | | | | company, and they had a dealall thanks to a round of |
| Its also a good time to read about golf, so you can | | | | golf. |
| become familiar with the language, etiquette, and | | | | Keep in your golf bag a business card holder with a |
| rules of the game. For an easy-to-read primer on the | | | | few crisp cards. You never know whom you might |
| game, check out my book, On Course for Business | | | | meet on the golf course. |
| (Wiley). Whether youre a beginner or an experienced | | | | Golf & Money-Making Tip #6: Become a Golf Mentor |
| golfer, youll find a nugget or two of information that | | | | If youre an experienced golfer, you might remember |
| will help you make your business golf rounds more | | | | when you first started to learn the game. Did you |
| profitable. | | | | feel intimidated by it allthe language, the etiquette, |
| Golf and Money-Making Tip #2: Maximize Your Links | | | | the customs, and the like? I can recall my feelings of |
| on the Links | | | | uncertainty when I first played on a golf course. I |
| The beauty of a golf round with clients and | | | | didnt know what the different colored tees meant |
| prospects is its five hours of soft selling who you | | | | and which set I was supposed to hit from? How far |
| are, your company, and what you know. Each golfer | | | | could I hit the ball? What did all of the numbers on |
| spends only a total of a few minutes actually hitting | | | | the scorecard mean? Fortunately, I had some friends |
| the ball. The rest of the time is spent talking and | | | | who helped me along the way. They made my first |
| getting to know one anothers background, | | | | round of golf an enjoyable learning experience and |
| personality, and character in a relaxed atmosphere. | | | | told me not to worry about my score. |
| Unlike tennis where youre across the net from one | | | | If you have a colleague, a client, a referral source, or |
| another, golf allows you to be with your playing | | | | someone you think could benefit from learning how |
| partners. Golf also provides better relationship-building | | | | to play golf, volunteer to be his or her golf mentor. |
| opportunities because youre not hitting a shot for | | | | You can start with the basics such as helping him find |
| your playing partner to miss. If youre playing business | | | | a golf instructor for swing lessons. You can offer her |
| golf properly, you should be thrilled when your client | | | | some tips on the language, the rules of the game, |
| hits a good shot and plays well. | | | | and how to play with proper etiquette. You might |
| Play more golf with clients, prospects, and referral | | | | also want to have a practice session at a driving |
| sources to build and deepen your business | | | | range, so both of you can work on your swings and |
| relationships. | | | | putting game. |
| Golf & Money-Making Tip #3: Golf Never Lies | | | | Youll solidify your working relationship, and likely learn |
| When talking to sales teams about playing business | | | | something new about the game. And, to thank you |
| golf, I emphasize the importance of playing with | | | | for your time and energy, the person youve helped |
| proper etiquette and adherence to the rules of golf. | | | | play this great game will likely thank you with more |
| As noted in Tip #2, youre with your client and | | | | referrals or business. |
| prospect for about five hours. During that time you | | | | See You at the First Tee |
| and your playing partners have a chance to watch | | | | I hope youve enjoyed these tips on how you can |
| each other in action. They might notice whether you | | | | play golf and make lots of money. Golf truly provides |
| step on a players putting line, talk while someone is | | | | a unique opportunity to build your business while you |
| hitting, or inadvertently cheat in some way. | | | | get some fresh air and exercise. I hope to see you |
| Playing a round of golf should solidify your business | | | | at the first tee, or at least to keep in touch with |
| relationships. When speaking to groups, I ask | | | | BizGolf E-Tips, my bi-weekly business golf tips. |