A lot of business is done on the golf course and perhaps it is time to take up the game yourself and maximize those opportunities that golfing for business can offer you. Here are 5 reasons why playing golf could be good for you and your career.
It Is Great for Networking
The golf course is a great place to meet new people and network for business. Once you start playing a round of golf, you have ample opportunity to get to know your new golfing partners. You can start to build friendships that will serve you well both on and off the golf course and last for a long time.
It Gives You the Opportunity to Sell
A round of golf takes 4-5 hours to complete. This gives you plenty of time to sell your products or services softly without having to appear pushy. This will serve you a lot better than going into a rushed thirty-minute meeting where you have time to do nothing else but go for the hard sell. If you are known to your potential clients already, they are more likely to trust you and therefore buy from you. They are also more likely to recommend you to their friends and colleagues and before you know it, you will have several new clients.
It Gives You Time to Observe Others
Golfing can give you a great opportunity to observe your business associates. It is fair to assume that how someone behaves on the golf course will reflect how they behave in the boardroom. An executive who tries to cheat at golf is also likely to do the same in business. Someone who misses a shot and throws a temper tantrum is likely to have a short fuse in the office too. Once you have an idea of their characteristics, you can figure out the best way to work with them or even avoid doing business with them.
It Gives People Time to Observe You
It will also give people time to observe you. Make sure you give the right impression by keeping your cool on the golf course while those around you decide if you would be a good person to do business with. If you are new to the game, this might be a bit daunting but you could always practice on your own with a golf launch monitor, to make sure that you get the most out of your game when it matters.
It Helps You to De-Stress
There are many ways to alleviate stress but playing golf is one of the best. There is something very relaxing about being able to amble around a golf course, at one with nature and breathing in lots of fresh air. It will help you to unwind, de-stress, and lower your blood pressure too. Enjoying a game of golf with a business contact is a lot better than trying to do business in a stuffy office where you can hear the phone ringing and you know your next appointment is waiting in the hallway. Golfing will help you to keep a clear head and think about your business as well as your golfing strategy, making sure that you get the best out of every trip to the golf course. Another tip is that you should only wear comfortable and breathable golf clothing brands.
Bonds are made and secured a lot more easily on the golf course than they are in the boardroom and that is probably why so many people conduct their business on the golf course. These are just five fantastic reasons why you should play golf for business but there are many more.
