Guest Post….
Noah Greenberg grew up in Woodside, California, where he first learned (and fell in love with) the game of golf. Noah graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Economics, as President of the Santa Barbara Media Group. He now lives in Santa Barbara, CA, and works at FindTheBest, a comparison engine helping the world make more informed decisions. |
Golf has always been a great game for friendly banter, but over the past few decades golf has become an essential in the repertoire of any business professional. Some of your largest deals can be made or broken on the fairway, and it all starts at which golf course you choose .
There are several things to consider, from whether to play a private or public course, to who pays the greens fee.
Here are a few things to think about when choosing the location for your next 18 holes of business golf:
- Availability of Quiet Off-Course Locations: While many people feel the golf course is a great place to discuss the benefits and terms of a partnership, contracts and deals are seldom are they signed directly on the course. When choosing a course, it is imperative you ensure there is some private location to close the deal once the game is done. The public clubhouse is usually not the perfect place for this, but many courses have private meeting places that break off from the clubhouse.
- Greens Fee and Price of Course: For some bigger deals and contracts, it might be worth going to an expensive course and treating your opponent. The rule of reciprocity reminds us that no good deed goes unrewarded. Nonetheless, if you are a start-up trying to warm up to some potential investors, your frugality may be a more important virtue to show off then your big wallet. Too many start-up owners try hard to impress investors with heavy spending, only to scare them off with their loose pockets.
- Course Rating: Although you may be an advanced golfer looking for a difficult course, it is important to gauge the level of your opponent and potential partner before choosing a course. No one likes to be embarrassed, and a few too many bogies can spoil any good deal.
These are just a few things to consider when choosing the right location for your next business related game of golf.
Your etiquette on the course is something to consider as well. A game with a potential partner is not a game with your college buddies, and it should be treated with a different demeanor. (Stogies may still be acceptable, but cursing after each shanked ball is not.) Next time you’re setting out for a game of business golf, consider these points, and you’re sure to happy with the results.