Business golf can present infinite opportunities. Regardless of age, gender, or skill level, golf can truly pave the road to success if you know how to hone its benefits properly.
In a new book, Teeing Up For Success, published by the EWGA Foundation, Rita Turner, a former executive vice president of Wilmington Trust, attributes much of her success in business to the opportunities golf gave her. She shares these six basic rules that she adopted while using golf for business.
1. Prepare ahead of time
Take the time to know the details of the day. What are the directions to the golf course? Is there a locker facility? Will you be dining after your round? These simple questions can help you better prepare for your next steps smoothly.
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2. Dress for the occasion
Hang up your dress pants and put away your heels. This “meeting” requires a different sort of dress code, and each course may have subtle differences. Know if it’s acceptable or not to wear a sleeveless or collarless shirt and whether shorts are acceptable. Don’t risk a wardrobe malfunction.
3. Arrive on time
Trying to fit in last-minute tasks can leave you running late. Simply don’t do it. If you are the host, give yourself the proper amount of time to arrive before your guests. If you are a guest, arrive 45 minutes before your tee time.
4. Be responsible for your group
Make sure you provide your guests with the correct information about dress code, proper etiquette, and tee time information. Your job is to make sure that the day goes well. That is what your guests will remember.
5. Be willing to bomb
Golf is a game of glory and humility. Knowing how to handle adversity is important. Keep on swinging no matter what. Your humanity is on display. How you play at golf reflects how you play at business.
6. Make getting there all the fun
The golfer who shoots a high round but was great company will forge better relationships than the golfer who shot low and made the experience unpleasant.
