Must I play golf to get ahead?

One of your commentors states: It’s foolish to believe that golfing is necessary to advancing your career.
Well, I agree wholeheartedly BUT it sure doesn’t hurt at all does it?
Art Speck
UK

The fact is you don’t have to play golf. However, when you are on the golf course you build a relationship over a period of hours. Golfing with the executives who are higher up sure does help.

http://www.buildgolfclubs.com

It’s foolish to believe that golfing is necessary to advancing your career. Establishing friendships with your coworkers and bosses will help your career, but golfing is not the only way to make those connections. There is also a lot to be said for doing your job well. Golf because you enjoy it.

I have learned, over the years, that the actual golf game is secondary – the primary reason is to understand the personality of the golfer.

When you hit a bad shot – and you will – do you swear, scream and break your clubs… or do you laugh and say something about getting some SCUBA gear to recover it from the water trap?

Rest assured that people would much rather deal with the person where it is not a big deal… So, you get to be outside, away from the office, and chat about stuff outside of work. How bad is that?

“Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course – the distance between your ears.”

-Bobby Jones

I HATE golf. I refuse to play golf. But lets be realistic. In certain corporate settings golf is a way (certainly not the only way) that people can showcase who they are outside of work situations. I run my own business, so corporate ass kissing is far removed from my world, but I can’t say there isn’t merit to playing golf with the upper management.

At my office, its not golf, but it is important for my employees to show me why they should be promoted or get a raise. Production at work is the biggest factor, but its not the only one.

I want to see people outside of the office. I want to promote people that can problem solve; who work well under pressure; who are willing to try new things- even if they feel uncomfortable (as I do w/ golf). I want to ensure that the promotion or raise goes to somebody that I think will be a custodian of MY beliefs and my business goals. Often you learn more about people outside of the office than in it- and golf is just one venue. I want to make sure that the people in my organization are of the quality to carry my business forward, even after I may be gone.

In response to New Hispanic Female Golfer in Chapel Hill: naturally one has to do what they can to get ahead. But what I am saying is that the basis of using golf to promote one employee over another is fundamentally wrong IMO.

Let us not forget that but one hundred years ago, white farmers bought and sold slaves as a commodity to “get ahead” and at that time it was legally within the law.

Because I loved golf so much from my first experience, it upset me to see so many people struggle with it so much. So I wrote a mental golf profile called Golf Mind Rx which can help anyone play better by knowing their own motivations and preferences and it also is the foundation for sales and leadership training, making learning fun and much less threatening.

In order to be promoted to a managerial position you have to do a lot more then “get the job done”. You need to be able to deal with all different personalities, handle adversity, deal with failure, and have the ability to socialize with people outside of the regular work environment. Golf allows you to see all these qualities in a potential candidate.

If you fail to see this as requirement for upper management you are doomed to being a grunt or stuck in middle management.

For the record, I am not a baby boomer. I am a 31 year old Gen X guy who learned a long time ago, through mentoring, that there is more to succeeding then completing your work in a timely manner.

In general and in particular response to the Hispanic Tarheel: Do what you have to do to get ahead at work (within the law, of course). Women, minorities – just learn how to play golf if it looks like it’s important for your particular career. You can try to change the system and create other work activities and social structures, but in the meantime get in on the existing one. You’re only hurting yourself if you don’t. If you think it’s stupid that you must learn to play golf to get the edge, either change that at your workplace or get out and find another place to work.

It is too bad that a manager will promote his golf buddy instead of the guy who can do the job best.

Judge me by my work performance and how I get along with people at the office, not by how firmly I can plant my lips on your behind on the green.

Especially if these little golf outings are done on MY time. Some of us rather like having a life outside of work.

One way to build confidence in private is to use a golf training system such as the iClub (iclub.net). The iClub can be used with a golf professional, and as an input to Microsoft Golf game — making video games good practice for time on the golf course.

“You’re drinking buddies aren’t your buddies.” A female partner in a CPA firm once told me this and I believe it. I used to play softball, basketball and get beers with the partners in this national firm. We had a comradery in those settings but in times of decision making, it came down to competence as it should.

I like to golf but as far as business promotion goes, do a great job and promote your achievements in the workplace and you’ll get the recognition you deserve or find it elsewhere.

I am a rising JR at UNC-CH in the KFBS and while there are free golf/business seminars for select students, other (worse) universities might not offer them.

Seems to me like this is just another way for old, conservative, white, males to keep minorities and women from achieving high ranking corporate positions.

How many inner city kids have access to golf courses or can afford the hundreds of dollars for clubs, balls, etc? Just a thought….

You don’t need to be good at golf to play. And you don’t need to talk business ona golf course. But golf does develop relationships with other people. It is a way for one to see and be seen if you want to get someplace with the people you work with, especially if they like to play golf. It is a place to get away from it all for a few hours and that can be the best relationship builder one can find in a company. If you are playing with a boss you both will learn much about each other and it may be nothing more than a little more respect for each other which can go a long,long way in a persons’s career. I never taked about business on the golf course but I certainly got plenty of business later on. And you can take it to me, I certained was noit very good at playing golf, but I did play the game.

I think the author of this article hit the nail on the head with the comment about building likeability. I don’t think it’s so much the sport that matters – at my office it is all about bowling – but the relationships and then the inspired level of commitment it brings about. I know there have been many times I have stayed at work or gone the extra mile just because of the fact I would also have to hear it from my boss at the bowling isles.

This is just ridiculous, and sad. Why can’t your success at the office be based on the skills, work ethic, and results you achieve there? And I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve never heard one health expert suggest that golf was a good way to get exercise…..it’s a great hobby for some, but completely unneccessary as a business ladder climbing tool…..What is our world coming to?

Need to “save up” for the clubs, resort, pro lessons? http://www.mutualfundstockcondo.com

To paraphrase Gayle Moss : April 20, 2007 4:56 pm – to be stimulated by a challenging physical pursuit, while forging and enhancing personal and business relationships and interacting with the natural environment, what could be better than that?
I could see how Jeremy in Ontario feels a bit negative, but when you live in sunny Australia it’s not a problem.

My advice to other women who may have a serious interest in golf for whatever reason is to first take lessons from a golf pro. I preferred a woman instructor myself. I never played the course until I got the basics down right; now I’m a confident player. Most men that I have come across do not seek professional help and it shows. A person may or may not find that golden ladder through golf; however, personally it has been enriching and it’s something one can enjoy for a lifetime. I disagree about not wearing ‘girly pink’ stuff on the course. There are great women’s golf apparel coming out-enjoy and wear what makes you feel good! Don’t try to be one of the boys with the beers and cigars (unless that’s you), and don’t take this game so serious either. I’ve had great days and totally awful days but I’ve always, always had a blast on the golf course. It helps to find other players at one’s own level to play with and encourage each other. And golf doesn’t have to be expensive. I play twilight hours or after 2 pm for under $30.00(ladies you know that’s nothing for 3-4 hours of play time) around public courses in the city. There are internet specials too. One more thing, about the pace of play, just keeping thinking ahead to stay ahead and be prepared. Good Luck Ladies and have FUN!

Do not lie about how good you are. If you stink, admit it. It you are good, say so. In my book, someone who lies about how good they are, will lie about other things in business. I will never trust them again.

Show some interest in your playing partner–say family, interests etc. Again, someone who is so into their own game that they aren’t interested in anyone else will never be an effective team member.

I worked for a phone company that, after a merger, had announced it’s intentions of laying off several thousand people in around ‘90, or ‘91. My job was one that was going away. That year, the PBA tournament came to town, and the company golfers were used to ferry VIP’s around town in company vehicles. To add insult to injury, my company had one of those hospitality tents and was one of the sponsors of the tournament….. The hospitality tent was rumored to be in the neighborhood of $500,000 at the time. To this day, I could care less about the game of golf……or the people that play it. Golf course politics suck!

Very seldom will an aspiring employee (or sales representative) be provided four+ hours with top company executives. All of those important character elements, i.e., judgment, tenacity, problem-solving, honesty and more, are “in play.”

As for skill level, there is enjoyment playing with a female golfer who plays well and understands the many nuances of the game.

Golf is for the rich snobs that cant do any other sport.
My girlfriend works for a woman and her husband. They have a business that does 40 MILLOn a year. Yet there in no money for stock and other things needed to do the job. Yet they joined the best Golf resort in Texas. There is an anitiation Fee 0f $175,000.00 and their Estate lot on the Golf Course cost 1.5 Miilon and they are building a 12,000 sqare foot estate and there is no money for business issues. Oh that is not all , they belong to another Golf country club in Dallas.
By the way they held the Sales Meeting at the New Golf Club resort and the sales employyes saw the mansions and are pissed and several have quite and others are quitting asap.

How about those Golf People.
Put that in your Colum Annie.
You probably wont because you or your Husband one of them.

Shame bestoed on the Golf Snobs………

I’ve often heard it said that golf can help you build business relationships. That’s nonsense. I’ve been a golfer all my life, grew up in a country club, and played on the college team. Men and women play golf to have fun and get away from business. Nor is it acceptable to talk shop at the 19th hole. I once played a round with a dentist, a business owner, and the retired chairman of the board of a major brokerage firm, and not one word of business was spoken. Golf is golf and all the etiquette and manners that it entails.

I am an avid and addicted golfer who hated the sport only 5 years ago. I hated it until I took lessons and started to see some results.

I’m still a high handicapper, but now you can’t keep me off the golf course and I’ve learned how to NOT feel naked on the first tee (which is a big reason why so many women don’t try the game).

I have met the most wonderful people playing golf – business associates and friends. When I moved to Vancouver 4 years ago, I knew only 1 person. Now I have wonderful group friends (men and women) who I met on the golf course.

Success in business (and in life) is about buildling and growing great relationships. And golf is just one way to do that, and get some exercise at the same time. What could be better than that!?

I’m a senior University student studying business/marketing, very athletic, and HATE golf. I find the courses are a huge waste of space.

I’ve been to the driving range many times, and that’s pretty fun though. I guess I’m just annoyed that I’m going to have to learn this ridiculous game to build necessary relationships. Can’t we go biking or something?

Golf is just too expensive.

To me this is disturbing. I am aware of the bonding that takes place outside of an organization but most leadership decisions made based on something like golf doesn’t usually lead to long term success for any company. I can’t wait for all the good old boys to retire or get laid off because the next generation of leaders will not operate this way.

It is absolutely unnecessary to learn how to play golf to get ahead. You just have to rub elbows in different ways. Most people have more than one interest and you can find something else in common with them. I loathe golf and it has not kept me behind at all.

How can it be fair if corner office is based on how well you play golf or how well you can sweet talk your boss in golf when work performance does not even factor into the equation.

My sport is downhill sking and enjoy it very much. This is one of the major reason I can not stand working for any type of corporation. The kiss ass syndrome, I wil not and don’t. If they don’t like my work they way it is, and I have to get a head by as I say, “kissing ass” that’s pretty sad. If there is something I don’t like, golf, I will not do it.

In addition to your suggestions,(lessons etc.)I suggest buying good used equipment. Get to the range before a business outing. Play to the level that you have reached. If playing with exceptional players that birdie and par when you are taking 8’s and 9’s, pick up at 8. It moves the game along and nobody wants to see another person tortured by a tough course. The game is to be enjoyed. Know at least 2 good golf jokes. Carry a cigar cutter, windproof lighter, tees, divot repair tool, ball markers, and 2 collapsable can coolers, and bandaids. You will win many friends by being properly equipped.

From the sound of it, you need to play golf to be in the game (at least at that company), but remember, golf isn’t the game that’s really being played!

Golfing is one of the ties that bind many management groups together. I observed that in three of the four organizations I worked for. I never cared much for the game and for those of you who might feel the same don’t despair. Don’t take your eyes off the corner office prize just because you don’t golf. Try to identify other leisure pursuits in which to engage the organization leadership. Seven years after I gave away my golf clubs I became CEO of a healthcare system.