By: Emma Charles
Golf is an amazing game. It is a great time to make new friends and build amazing relationships. Follow these tips and you won’t have many issues. Go out, have fun and hit them straight when you can. You will probably find that most people aren’t very good at the game, so don’t be intimidated. Get out there, do your best and always remember if you don’t know something, all you have to do is ask!
For a successful engagement, here are five tips for a great business meeting on a golf course:
1. Remember that this is business.
Of course, golf is fun and will seem very relaxed and casual. But, it is important that you keep your true goal in sight – not the goal of making that precious hole-in-one. You want to sign the client and make a connection; don’t fall into the trap of getting too friendly and not actually accomplishing your meeting agenda.
2. Relax, don’t just talk business.
This may seem counterintuitive compared to the first point, but most courses have experience when it comes to hosting a corporate meeting on a golf course One of the reasons why people choose to hold their business meeting on a golf course is to lighten the mood and get to know the person a little more intimately. Allow yourself to relax a little, enjoy the game, and show your character. A general rule of thumb: talk business for the first five holes, then lighten it up slightly for the rest of the game.
3. Keep a steady pace.
Again, one of the most appealing reasons you’ll conduct a corporate meeting on the green is because it gives everyone ample time to get everything out on the table. There’s no time pressure, no need to jump on other calls, no interruptions. However, don’t drag the game to seven hours.
4. Pick your moments to talk.
Don’t talk during somebody’s backswing. This is a golden rule of golf, and although you might realize that it’s a standard, you still need to know when to start chatting and when not to. The golf cart is usually the best time to talk when having a business meeting on a golf course. This will also allow for the pace to remain steady, everyone to focus on their game, and you can talk in-between holes while on the golf cart.
5. Create a reason to see each other again.
Create a sense of connection by starting an inside joke between the two of you. Or, if you all are not in a rush, grab a bite and drinks after. Create a reason for you and your potential partner to see each other again, even if it is for another amazing round of golf.
Need an idea on where to take your next client? Here are some of the top rated courses for business professionals.
