Play Golf And Make Money

How to Play Golf and Make Money





Although most of us dont get the chance to win a million dollars by playing in the final

group on Sunday, we can still play golf and make lots of money. Unlike most other

sports, golf is the game of business. Men and women across the globe, play the game as

both recreation, and as a way of doing business. From pro tours to recreational golfers

worldwide, golf is truly an international sport.

As a business golf speaker, consultant, and author, I teach business professionals how

they can utilize golf to strengthen their business relationships and increase sales. I

discovered the power of business golf while I was a practicing attorney in San

Francisco specializing in commercial real estate transactions.

Whether talking with clients, or at a networking event, I always felt the rapport level

deepened when the conversation turned to golf. Golfers always seem to enjoy talking

about the game, whether its their own, or the great shot they saw on television by a tour

pro.

Here are six tips on how you can play golf and make money. For those of you who play

already, choose one or two and make them a part of your business golf game. If you dont

play yet, I hope theyll inspire you to take up the game.

Golf & Money-Making Tip #1: Schedule Your Golf!

If you dont play golf often, or dont know how to play at all, youre less likely to obtain

the benefits of playing business golf. Its like the lottery. If you dont buy a ticket, youll

never win the jackpot!

One obstacle for many people is that they believe they dont have time to play. If time is

an issue for you, then make it a goal, schedule time in your organizer or PDA for a

reasonable number of rounds of golf or practice sessions you want to have per month.

Perhaps you want to play a business golf round once a month (when weather permits)

and spend 30-45 minutes per week at a driving range.

If you fine-tune your swing during the winter, youll be ready for golf in the spring. One

way to fit golf into your schedule: put a few irons, your 3-wood, and putter in the trunk

of your car. The next time youre stuck in traffic or have time in between appointments,

stop at a local golf course or driving range, and have a practice session. It beats sitting

in traffic and getting road rage.

If you dont play golf yet, winter is the best time to learn how to play. Why? Golf

professionals at your local golf course usually have more time for you. During the peak

summer days, the professional is in high demand, with lessons scheduled back-to-back,

and will be less inclined or unable to spend extra time with you. Ask some golfing

friends for referrals to a local golf professional at a covered or indoor driving range. If

you take lessons now, youll be ready to hit the course when everyone else is ready to

play.

Its also a good time to read about golf, so you can become familiar with the language,

etiquette, and rules of the game. For an easy-to-read primer on the game, check out my

book, On Course for Business (Wiley). Whether youre a beginner or an experienced

golfer, youll find a nugget or two of information that will help you make your business

golf rounds more profitable.

Golf and Money-Making Tip #2: Maximize Your Links on the Links

The beauty of a golf round with clients and prospects is its five hours of soft selling who

you are, your company, and what you know. Each golfer spends only a total of a few

minutes actually hitting the ball. The rest of the time is spent talking and getting to know

one anothers background, personality, and character in a relaxed atmosphere.

Unlike tennis where youre across the net from one another, golf allows you to be with

your playing partners. Golf also provides better relationship-building opportunities

because youre not hitting a shot for your playing partner to miss. If youre playing

business golf properly, you should be thrilled when your client hits a good shot and

plays well.

Play more golf with clients, prospects, and referral sources to build and deepen your

business relationships.

Golf & Money-Making Tip #3: Golf Never Lies

When talking to sales teams about playing business golf, I emphasize the importance of

playing with proper etiquette and adherence to the rules of golf. As noted in Tip #2,

youre with your client and prospect for about five hours. During that time you and your

playing partners have a chance to watch each other in action. They might notice whether

you step on a players putting line, talk while someone is hitting, or inadvertently cheat in

some way.

Playing a round of golf should solidify your business relationships. When speaking to

groups, I ask participants how they feel when they play with someone who plays with

poor etiquette or cheats during a round of golf. Most of them agree that its a turn-off to

have to play under those circumstances, and they do so only to maintain the business.

Other business golfers, such as financial consultants, who are concerned with a clients

integrity and reasonableness of expectations, have said they wont do business with that

person if they dont enjoy their round of golf. And, if they cheat, theyll find another client

that they can trust.

To make a positive impression about who you are and the company you work for, play

your business golf rounds with proper etiquette and know the basic rules of golf. You

dont want to sabotage your business relationships when youre trying to solidify them.

Golf & Money-Making Tip #4: Dont Bet with Your Playing Partners

I played a round of golf with three business associates/friends where a small bet for a

round of drinks on the back nine turned ugly. One players fierce competitiveness came

out and you could feel the tension on every tee and green. It was a shock to my friend and

me as we felt the change in personality over a simple bet for drinks.

If youre playing golf for business with clients or prospects, dont suggest a bet. It creates

a win-lose feeling, which isnt what you want during a business golf round. If your

playing partner suggests a wager, and you cant get out of making one, then make it a

small wager like drinks or lunch, rather than hard cash. Regardless of the wager, make

sure youre comfortable losing, and assume youve lost the bet. That way your

competitiveness wont come out during the round and sabotage your relationship-building

goal of the round.

Remember your business golf rounds are a time to deepen your relationshipsits not a

time to try to play your best round of golf to beat your playing partners.

Golf & Money-Making Tip #5: Play Golf as a Single

A client told me that she started to sign up for golf tournaments as a single. She was

excited because her technique workedshe got a new client worth about $1 million

dollars!

As a single player, she entered a golf tournament, which was sponsored by her trade

association in the credit card industry. She was teamed with three others, and

fortuitously shared a cart with a business owner. While playing together, she learned

about his business and his business needs. As the tournament activities were winding

down, she mentioned that she thought her company had some solutions for him and asked

if she could call to talk about it. After a couple of meetings, she sold him on her services

and her company, and they had a dealall thanks to a round of golf.

Keep in your golf bag a business card holder with a few crisp cards. You never know

whom you might meet on the golf course.

Golf & Money-Making Tip #6: Become a Golf Mentor

If youre an experienced golfer, you might remember when you first started to learn the

game. Did you feel intimidated by it allthe language, the etiquette, the customs, and the

like? I can recall my feelings of uncertainty when I first played on a golf course. I didnt

know what the different colored tees meant and which set I was supposed to hit from?

How far could I hit the ball? What did all of the numbers on the scorecard mean?

Fortunately, I had some friends who helped me along the way. They made my first round

of golf an enjoyable learning experience and told me not to worry about my score.

If you have a colleague, a client, a referral source, or someone you think could benefit

from learning how to play golf, volunteer to be his or her golf mentor. You can start with

the basics such as helping him find a golf instructor for swing lessons. You can offer her

some tips on the language, the rules of the game, and how to play with proper etiquette.

You might also want to have a practice session at a driving range, so both of you can

work on your swings and putting game.

Youll solidify your working relationship, and likely learn something new about the

game. And, to thank you for your time and energy, the person youve helped play this

great game will likely thank you with more referrals or business.

See You at the First Tee

I hope youve enjoyed these tips on how you can play golf and make lots of money. Golf

truly provides a unique opportunity to build your business while you get some fresh air

and exercise. I hope to see you at the first tee, or at least to keep in touch with BizGolf

E-Tips, my bi-weekly business golf tips.

If you have any thoughts about these tips (hate 'em, love 'em or have a tip to share),

please send me an email at suzanne@bizgolf.biz. I welcome any opportunity to chat

about golf and business! Or, to learn more about the business golf services that I

provide, visit www.bizgolf.biz.

About The author

Suzanne Woo is a sought after business golf speake, consulant and author of On Course

for Business (Wiley), the book on how to use golf to develop and enhance business

relationships and increase sales. Clients include Merrill Lynch, National Car Rental,

Andersen, and a host of other corporations and associations. To learn how to play

business golf more effectively, visit www.bizgolf.biz or contact Suzanne Woo at

800.722.8909 or suzanne@bizgolf.biz.