There is this huge misconception by many business people who know how to play golf who feel you have to be an accomplished, scratch golfer to use golf in business.
I will concede you need to be comfortable playing golf with others but that does not mean your game has to match Tiger Woods. I will also confirm that you do need to know how to play golf and most of the rules and etiquettes of the game, but being a professional level players is not a prerequisite to playing business golf.
I have played plenty of rounds of golf with many people who where just beginning to play golf who made the day pleasant because they were comfortable with their self and their level of golf. They were honest and stated at the beginning of their round they were just getting started in golf and then never whined once after the first ball was struck. They picked up the ball when they were two strokes over par and moved on and kept positive the entire round.
I also have played rounds (many rounds) with professional golfers who would put Tiger to shame in their skills of the game, but because they were not comfortable with them selves which made the day very tedious. Being comfortable with yourself is much more important than your game when you play business golf. The time to be critical about your golf is when you take a lesson or during golf school, not while you are out to enjoy what golf offers.
It is understandable that newbies to the game feel intimidated with playing with people who are much more experienced. this is when the more experienced should know to let up on the pressure and make it clear that the purpose of the round of golf is to enjoy the day and each other’s company. Learn small talk that diverts the focus away from the quality of play but does not get into a full out discussion about business.
At the end of the day all should be equal and all had fun and the golf score became a discussion only in determining who buys the drinks.
Being comfortable in knowing what you are doing in business and what to do on the golf course should be the goal for anyone who wants to play business golf.
Let me know how I can help…
