| Building and maintaining solid business | | | | game. |
| relationships is the key to success, but how | | | | |
| can you legitimately escape the tense office | | | | Play the same tee as your guest. |
| environment and spend dedicated time getting | | | | |
| to know a customer, client or boss on a | | | | Invite your guest to play first at the first |
| personal level?Business Golf, once the domain | | | | hole. |
| of the executive elite is now accessible for | | | | |
| anyone wishing to create and strengthen | | | | Behave yourselfThe links is not the place |
| business relationships in a relaxed | | | | for you to get in touch with your inner |
| atmosphere. In fact, according to a 2002 | | | | child. No tantrums, throwing of clubs, foot |
| COMPAS Leader Poll, "business leaders use | | | | stamping, swearing, whining, making excuses |
| golf as an important tool in doing business | | | | or indulging in other demonstrations of poor |
| and say that it is extremely remunerative; | | | | sportsmanship. Conversely, when you are |
| for each dollar they spend on golf they earn | | | | playing well, be gracious. Don't interpret |
| over $1500 in business revenue as a result. | | | | the relaxed environment as an opportunity to |
| Further, only restaurants surpass the golf | | | | behave in a manner unsuitable for the office, |
| course as an effective place to conduct | | | | such as making jokes, gestures or remarks |
| business outside of the office."The strong | | | | that may be considered by others as |
| demand for golf has resulted in several new | | | | offensive.Business or birdieThere is a time |
| courses being opened every year thereby | | | | and place for everything. Spend the day |
| reducing membership costs. Corporate and | | | | building rapport and developing |
| charity tournaments also represent a | | | | relationships. Only talk business if your |
| tremendous networking opportunity where | | | | guest brings it up first. Otherwise, save it |
| organizational hierarchy may be temporarily | | | | for the 19th hole.You Got GameDon't |
| eliminated and a common ground created for | | | | compromise your credibility by playing badly |
| building rapport.An important benefit of golf | | | | unless, of course, you are an Oscar winning |
| is that it provides a unique window into the | | | | actor. Don't gloat when you are playing |
| personality, values and conduct of others. | | | | well, instead, turn it into a compliment, |
| This could prove to be very useful in future | | | | "You must be bringing me luck, this is my |
| business dealings as one's behavior on the | | | | best game this year!" Sincerely compliment |
| course is a reflection of their business | | | | specific aspects of your partner's game. |
| character and ethics. For example, a golfing | | | | Never coach or give unsolicited advice. If |
| partner who cheats on every hole might be | | | | you are a beginner, warn your partner about |
| someone to be careful with when making deals. | | | | your skill level and make sure they are o.k. |
| It must be realized, however that this | | | | with it.Be an Etiquette Eagle |
| window is made of two way glass. Take | | | | |
| advantage of this opportunity to project a | | | | |
| positive image of yourself by demonstrating | | | | |
| proper Business Golf Etiquette.Follow these | | | | No cell phones / pagers/ PDA's. |
| Business Golf Etiquette Tips to a tee and not | | | | |
| only will you and your partner enjoy the day, | | | | Always be ready for the next shot - don't |
| you will also stand out as being polished, | | | | make others wait unnecessarily. |
| professional and trustworthy.Scout's MottoBe | | | | |
| prepared. Arrive early to get organized and | | | | Never brag or complain about the cost of |
| to practice. Plan ahead and identify the | | | | membership or green fees. |
| outcomes you want from the day. These goals | | | | |
| are just as important as any other business | | | | Take care of the course, remove your tees, |
| meeting. Prepare sound bites for your | | | | replace kicked-up turf and rake after a |
| company or yourself that you can draw on if | | | | bunker shot. |
| needed.Don't be green about the greensNever | | | | |
| attend a golf event for business purposes if | | | | Don't walk into or cast shadows over |
| you don't first make the effort to learn the | | | | someone's putting line. |
| basic game and the lingo. You'll only | | | | |
| embarrass and alienate yourself and your | | | | Maintain a safe golf cart speed. |
| company. Take lessons or attend a | | | | |
| clinic.When Hosting... | | | | Get out of the cart whenever your opponent |
| | | | does. |
| | | | |
| | | | Dress appropriately. If in doubt, call the |
| Inquire about any time constraints before | | | | club. |
| choosing a venue. Proximity may be more | | | | |
| important than beauty of a course. | | | | No cheating or creative scorekeeping. |
| | | | |
| When choosing foursomes, carefully consider | | | | Don't distract other golfers by loud |
| the skill levels, compatibility and | | | | talking, laughing, and crinkling food |
| networking opportunities for the players. | | | | wrappers. |
| | | | |
| Pay for your guests ahead of time. Make | | | | Don't let your manners be your handicap. |
| sure everything is arranged for your guest | | | | Ace this opportunity to make a good |
| such as lockers and meal reservations. | | | | impression and create shared memories that |
| | | | will enhance your business relationships and |
| Confirm the tee-off time. | | | | increase your bottom line.Aviva Shiff is the |
| | | | co-founder of Spark Training and Coaching |
| Send confirmation to guest with directions | | | | Associates. Spark Training and Coaching |
| and contact information for the course. | | | | Associates helps individuals amplify their |
| | | | personal impact, influence and effectiveness |
| Be the cart driver. | | | | through their corporate training workshops |
| | | | and coaching programs. |
| Focus on your guest, not on improving your | | | | |