In the United States, any CEO will tell you that most of his business is negotiated on the golf course. According to a rough statistics, about 20% of the world's business activities are negotiated on golf courses.
Galileo sports - trusted globally for golf nets and golf hitting cages - is here to tell you, there's more to golf than just sinking a putt. It's a powerful tool for building relationships and advancing your career! In this blog, we will share a list of tips on golf course negotiations and what business leaders think about golf.
So, grab your clubs and let's dive in!
Golf and business have been inextricably linked for more than a century. From the development of private country clubs in the late 19th century to today, bosses seem to have become accustomed to discussing business in the comfortable and beautiful environment of the golf course, rather than in the restricted office.
Golf proficiency and familiarity with relevant etiquette have become necessary conditions for CEOs to develop their careers, because this is the best way to meet important people, communicate with nature and negotiate business.
As an elegant and healthy gentleman's sport, golf particularly requires people's self-discipline. The first rule is politeness. Its elegance is particularly in line with the traditional Confucian style.
Former U.S. amateur golf champion Vinny St. Yales said when explaining the charm of golf: "You can cultivate camaraderie on the golf course because you have to spend four hours with a person and start to understand him. And watching him in a different environment is much better than being in a conference room."
Like business, golf tests one's ability to set goals and achieve them with as little expense (shots) as possible.
Both have had their share of adversity, whether in the form of sand trap obstacles or a sharp loss in income. The combination of the two looks perfect. All you need is intelligence, creativity, focus, dedication, practice, practice, practice…no kidding.
In the West, companies that generate the greatest overall returns to shareholders are led by CEOs who make the fewest golf mistakes.
Golf training provides an experience for bosses to understand the difficulty of corporate change. It shows the huge gap between good ideas and effective actions.
Golf also clearly embodies a basic dilemma in business operations. Without timely and specific feedback, practicing hard is useless.
Today, golf remains the number one pastime in American society. "Not everyone can play tennis, but everyone thinks they can play golf," said the PGA's Lynn.
Ideally, you don't have to be a good athlete to be a good golfer. All you need is a little bit of skill, knowing how to "think" your shot, "control your pace" and understand "process management".
Over a generation, golf has replaced martini lunches as the preferred social method for sealing business deals. The reason why golf has become the number one entertainment activity for American tycoons is because it has a very subtle connection with the business world.
For CEOs, this game always has a special function. On April 2, 1899, Rockefeller shot his first round of 9 holes with a score of 64.
Rockefeller played golf every day until he was in his 90s. He recorded his golf scores in a thick booklet with names, dates and places.
In order to improve his golf skills, he hired a photographer to take pictures of him so that he could study his movements through the photos and find his shortcomings. Later, he switched to using movies to record his swings.
Today, the giants of high-tech companies are no less enthusiastic about golf than their predecessors. Sun Microsystems CEO Scott and Microsoft's Bill Gates' love of golf can be called the Rockefellers of the 21st century.
From General Eisenhower's "Raids" to George Bush's "Speed-Up Golf" during the Persian Gulf War, golf has always been associated with big names and events.
Many companies recruit golfers to participate in their outings or sales events. A professional golfer signed with a major company usually spends a few days each year with the company's bosses or clients, playing golf, eating, taking photos, and signing autographs with them.
These pros often develop lasting relationships with their owners. Davis worked for American Express for several years and was now good friends with Jonathan, the company's vice chairman.
In a word, relationships can be built. No other sport can compare to golf.
"What kind of sport allows you to go outside and play in a beautiful environment with friends or future friends for 4 hours in a relaxed and quiet way?"
"You have enough time to build or solidify a relationship with your business partner and discuss key issues that will benefit both parties," says Jimmy Henry of Deloitte Consulting in Washington.
One company owner who specializes in supplying golfers to the market believes that the relationship between golfers and the company often reflects the company's culture. “Fred has been with Cadillac since 1992,” he said, “and he gets along very well with the owners and develops personal friendships.
In conclusion, business and golf go hand in hand. By mastering the art of business on the golf course, you can open doors, forge connections, and advance your career in ways you never thought possible. So, the next time you're invited to tee it up with a client or colleague, seize the opportunity and make the most of your time on the green.
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