Business and Golf?

Question

How do they go together? What are some of your experiences with the two?

Answer 1

well, there is nothing better than having some competitiveness flowing between two people or in a set of 4, with PLENTY of relaxing time to talk about business or just get to know a little more about that person.  

golfing is a great way of socially getting together with someone on a business level without taking them to a lunch, dinner or formal meeting.  people seem to get a lot more accomplished when they're relaxed and in an environment where they aren't feeling too pressured.

playing golf with someone develops a bond beyond the regular board meetings, etc.... gives them a level of comfort.

there are a lot of reasons golf and business go together.

Answer 2

I used to work in the car business.  I recall a Saturday where I played with a friend at a public course in West TN.  I met about 30 people at an event there that day and the following week, 10 of those people came to buy a car from me.  It was the most fruitful golf event I've ever been to.

The funny thing is that of all the people that I met, the only conversation that was business related was that I sold cars.  They all told me what they did, and for the rest of the time we talked family and golf.  Lots of times the relationship you build on the golf course is what inspires people to want to do business with you.  The more personable you are, the more people will want to deal with you.

Answer 3

Apparently, many business deals are concluded on the golf course. Many businessmen happen to ardent golfers too. So if one were to seek business opportunity from another he will try to lose a golf round just to please the other, in return for a contract or deal. In a flight of four golfers we normally regard one another as golf buddies. Sounds familiar?

Bearing in mind, it takes about 4 1/2 hours to complete a round of 18 holes of golf. So many things could be said while walking the course, as compare with say one hour at the office. Besides, at the office we are like adversaries:-) Sounds familiar too?

Answer 4

There are a myriad of reasons golf go together like peanut butter and jelly. First, it creates something that can't be achieved in the board room. Let me tell you in there, no jokes, no goofing around. All straight business. This is a good thing, but it needs to get further than that. A business relationship has lots of facets to it that need to be built on many strong suits between the people doing business with each other. Be it investor to new founder, fellow CEOs sharing contracts, or 2 new founders coming together to fuse 2 start-ups into one final good project to create a better (best if done right) business entity benefiting both parties.

It also aids in making the businesses lasting longer. This is because each person in that golf game, is most likely a good deal maker. Hence, this only making them better. However, the golf meeting isn't something that can just be tossed into the fray and made a masterpiece from a mold of clay. In other words, if you think that just the golf game is going to make it better and give you funding, a contract or a huge deal, you could be setting yourself up for a huge let down by the 18th hole.

Another reason (this is my personal favorite and probably the most important because I'm a .com business man) is this. Golf is a game of narrow competition. What that basically means is  the business man thinks of the hole as the contract or deal, and the ball as the business entity he controls or owns. It sounds like a crazy metaphor, but it's very true. It's also a very relaxing game to play. A nice day, no sweating in the sport, just 2 go getters in the green getting to know each other.

Good times

Answer 5

I have to be honest, I play muni golf and every few groups I get set up with, there is someone to network with and usually at least one person per foresome I enjoy hanging with. I can't say much about the private club game. Basically, golf is a big reason to walk around and mingle. Recently I've been taking my almostgolf balls to the park and playing my new 'course' with an 8 iron. I've met a lot of people that way. It's not as much networking/business as it is meeting my neighbors and making friends.

I recommend any sport that allows you to bump into people.

Answer 6

Never been a factor for me. It may happen a lot more on expensive courses and private courses, where the rich business guys play. A $30 public course may not "pay off".

Answer 7

because business people like to golf.  I dont know why, probably something most of them can do   Your guess is as good as mine.