Never Conducted Business on a Golf Course? Tee it Up

Everyone knows that the golf course is one of the best places to create new business relationships and cultivate existing ones. The strategic thinking required to enjoy golf is similar to that required to excel in business, and the connection has always been a natural one. Unfortunately, we don’t all have the time and the coordination to be competitive golfers. As a result, people often shy away from playing golf when faced with an opportunity to do so with a client or a superior for fear that they will embarrass themselves and damage a business relationship. This is an understandable fear.

A quick round of golf will last four hours and it is not uncommon for rounds to drag into the five hour range and beyond. That’s a long time to feel uncomfortable and is certainly not conducive to making any business headway with your playing partners. But do not fear.

Even if you’ve never played golf before, you can still look at ease on the course and have the confidence to network, sell, or simply enjoy a day outside with business associates.

Be Honest

If you’ve never played golf before or are still very new to the game, make that known upfront and preferably well in advance of your outing. Some experienced golfers may prefer not to play with someone that doesn’t feel comfortable on the course.

Look the Part

Every golf course has a dress code, even though not every golf course enforces it. Err on the side of caution and always wear a collared shirt; never wear denim; and do whatever you have to do to wear golf shoes for the outing. Even if you have to borrow the shoes from the same friend who lent you their clubs, it will help you to fit in with the group and avoid drawing attention to the fact that you are completely new to the scene.

Stay Cool and Play Fast

It is undisputed that golf is the most frustrating game on earth. Don’t worry about it. If you are unable to make consistent, solid contact with the ball, try not to overreact. Nothing says “unprofessional” like a club thrown in frustration or a cursing fit because you can’t get your ball out of a sand trap. Regardless of how bad you’re playing, the key is to keep moving quickly. As long as you are not slowing down the players in your group, your lack of skill will be largely overlooked. If you find that you simply can’t keep up with the group, pick up your ball and start again on the next hole. Your playing partners will appreciate it and it will take the pressure off of them to continue encouraging your horrible play.

Speak the Language

While there are countless “golfisms” for almost any situation that can occur on the course, you want to familiarize yourself with a few and stick to them. Whenever possible, let the more experienced golfers in the group lead the golf-speak and you can nod or grunt approval as necessary. We’ll spare you the indignity of explaining “nice shot” and “nice putt”, but here are a few others that you may not be as familiar with:

• Hitting it fat: Hitting it fat occurs when the club hits the ground before the ball and usually results in a shot that falls well short of its intended target.

• Sculling it: Sculling it occurs when the leading edge of the club, rather than the face of the club, hits near the center of the ball. This will result in a line drive shot that travels much further than intended. It typically occurs with short clubs like the pitching wedge or 9-iron.

• Fore: You probably know what this one is and when to use it, but it’s here to remind you to use it whenever a shot is headed in the general vicinity of another player on the course. Nothing is more certain to create an ugly brouhaha on the golf course than an unsuspecting stranger getting drilled with an errant shot without the appropriate “fore” warning.

Caddyshack References

Regardless of the age or social background of your playing partners, you are almost always assured of hearing a few references to one of the all-time comedy classics, Caddyshack. This movie has become so ingrained into the culture of golf that many people don’t even realize they’re quoting it. If you know the movie, you’ll pick up on the references and should easily be able to drop a few of your own. If you’ve never seen it, or have seen it fewer than a handful of times, here are a few you’re likely to hear:

• Lumberyard: Any hazard, out of bounds, or anyplace where you don’t want to hit your ball.

• Cinderella Boy: Often used by a golfer to describe himself, usually as he sets up for his shot

• Big hitter, the Lama. Long: Usually muttered after a long tee shot by someone in your group.

• Gimme two of those, gimme six of those, gimme a box of those naked lady tees: You’ll hear this in the clubhouse before the round, as people look around at the golf equipment and apparel in the shop.

• Noonan!…(miss it): This will be said “jokingly” to a player as they are about to hit an important shot, intended to distract them and encourage a bad shot.

• You’ll get nothing and like it: Often heard at the snack stand or when the beverage cart pulls up.

• That kangaroo stole my ball: Players will say this when a squirrel or a bird approaches their ball on the course.

• That’s a Peach, Hon: Most often noted after a terrible shot, in reference to the ancient Caddyshack golfing couple, the Havercamps, who have a maximum drive distance of about 30 yards.

There are countless other Caddyshack references that people will make on a golf course, but these should be enough to get you started and know when to feign amusement.

Quick Etiquette Tips

• The most important rule of etiquette on the golf course is not to speak immediately before or during a player’s shot. Sometimes it is very easy to make this mistake, especially if you are engaged in a conversation and are not paying attention to the players around you. As a rule, it’s best to do your talking in the golf cart or as you are walking toward balls that are already in play.

• Another lesser known practice of experienced golfers is to remove a golf glove before putting. A golf glove does not aid at all in the putting stroke and it’s often more comfortable to take it off and allow your hand to breathe prior to putting.

When considering a golf outing with business associates, remember that the golf itself is always at least a distant second to any business goals that you have set for the outing. The above information is intended to provide a brief reference guide for the inexperienced golfer that wants to conduct business on the golf course. Ultimately, it may not matter, but it most certainly cannot hurt to look and feel comfortable in your surroundings, even if you’re not.

Tags: caddyshack, golf course networking, golf etiquette

Share This | Posted in Networking | One Comment