Business on the Golf Course

by Gregg A. Johnson ~ Last Updated:

There's probably no better place in the world to conduct business than on the golf course. Business executive all over the world know that sharing a common frustration with their golf game promotes the perfect environment for business talk. More partnerships and businesses have been changed on the golf course than you could ever imagine.

When you are conducting business on the golf course, you have the luxury of sharing a common goal - to beat each other. Yet at the same time, when you are playing with business associates on the golf course, you really need to practice some decorum when playing golf with a potential business affiliate.

So how do you balance business with sport on the golf course? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Just as with any decision in business, you have to weigh the outcome with what is happening. If you are trying to land a big account, you probably won't want to make fun of your potential client's missed chip shot.

However, you won't want to gain a reputation as a suck-up either. If your potential client makes a 7 on a par 3 hole, you really don't want to whoop and holler because it will be obvious you are just trying to stroke his (or her) ego. Conducting business on the golf course is a delicate proposition, so start with a plan in mind.

DO NOT - and we stress this a lot - DO NOT begin your golf match with a declaration of what you hope to accomplish by the end of the round. If you want to insure that you will be landing that big account, don't put on your golf glove on tee #1 and declare your intention. The idea behind conducting business on the golf course is to make friends first and then do your business.

As you are playing, keep in mind that you will want to bring your "A" game as much as is humanly possible. Sure, you might be playing against a person who is head and shoulders above you, but if you are the better player, DON'T let them win just because you want to gain their business. Play golf like you mean it and gain that prospect's respect.

There is much business that is done on the golf course every day of every week. You won't find a better place to make a business deal than on the links. However, you will want to use some form of decorum to insure that your business goals will come to reality. Taking business on the golf course could be the best business decision you ever make!

Golf Course In The News


 Del Monte Golf Course is no pushover - Monterey County Herald

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:04:00 GMT

While both two-time defending champion Jeff Sluman and Tom Lehman ... historic Del Monte Golf Course, which is the other course at this weekend's Home Care and Hospice First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, can still leave ...


 More details emerge on Arsenal golf course - Quad-Cities Times

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:21:00 GMT

Rock Island Arsenal officials provided more details about taking the island’s golf course public during a news conference today. The new name will be the Arsenal Island Golf Course, and it will be open to the ...


 Plainsboro, NJ golf course groundskeeper became trapped after 2,000-pound lawnmower ... - Morris County Daily Record

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:57:00 GMT

PLAINSBORO — A groundskeeper at the Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course became pinned under a 2,200-pound lawn mower after the machine slid into a pond and overturned Monday morning, police said. Donald Kelber ...


 Sheriff: Vandals' Joyrides Damage Golf Course - Wbaltv.com

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:15:00 GMT

IJAMSVILLE, Md. -- Vandals have damaged the Holly Hills Country Club in Ijamsville, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. Flagpoles were destroyed, golf vehicles and fence posts were damaged and the sod on ...


 Economically struggling Michigan city hopes golf course will help pull it out of ... - Chicago Tribune

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:35:00 GMT

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan that is beset with troubles is looking for hope from an unlikely source. It's a huge luxury golf course. Violent crime, racial strife, steep ...