Do Business on the Golf Course: Business Golf Etiquette

Business and golf seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Doing business on the golf course brings deals for those who do it right, but its fraught with perils for those who don't understand the etiquette.

There are two kinds of etiquette for you to remember: typical golf etiquette and then, the special etiquette that accompanies business golf.

This page gives some helpful tips for combining business and golf. Play the business golf etiquette game correctly, and you may enjoy career or business advancement. Play poorly and it's a mulligan all round.

You will also find some golf humor, some helpful golfing links and a bit of shopping.

You need business etiquette plus golf etiqutte

1. First, if you lose your cool when your game is bad, stay off the "business" green altogether. You will not make a good business impression.

2. Be sure you know the rules of good golf etiquette. Your host will not be impressed if you make a bad impression at his/her country club or offend golfing buddies.

3. No cheating in any way. This is not the way to build trust.

However, if you could use a little or a lot of help with your golf swing, consider taking a few lessons.

4. When unsure about a rule, discuss it with your golf opponent. Abide by whatever is decided. Demonstrate your trustworthiness and show that you are a person who keeps your word.

5. Spend your time on the links building relationships. Avoid talking deals until the 19th hole. Business talk during the game should be of a casual nature. Business talk should not occur before the 5th hole or after the 15th hole.

6. No cell phones or beepers on the course.

7. Dress appropriately in attire that will take you from the links to the clubhouse. Denims, sleeveless shirts and short shorts are not acceptable.

8. In business golf, invite your guest to play first at the first hole. At other holes, the person with the lowest hole score in the preceding round tees first.

9. If invited to play business golf, offer to pay green fees, cart rental, etc. If you have invited someone to play, be prepared to cover the costs.

10. If you drink alcohol, drink only if the host offers, and have no more than two.

11. Prepare a handicap card and be honest about your handicap.

12. Play the best game you can. Playing badly to "let the other person win" can be perceived as insulting and will damage your credibility.

13. If your opponent prefers to walk rather than use a cart, you will walk also. When using a cart, join your opponent on the green when he gets out to play or to look for a ball.

14. If playing in Asia, be prepared to bet. In other countries, abide by local customs. If wagering, keep the bets at a friendly level.

15. When planning to do business on the golf course,Arrive early to get organized and to practice before tee time.

16. Avoid whining, swearing,making excuses and giving unsolicited advice.

17. Identify business goals. If you are the host, invite the people who can make decisions. Doing business on the golf course blends business and golf. Having a goal is as important.

Ready? Fore!

Golf Things to Ponder

"Nice lag" = "lousy putt" and "Tough Break" = "Way to miss an easy one, sucker."

Why don't they make green balls? They'd be so much easier to find on in the sandtraps.

The difference between "put" and "putt". The first means to place something where you want it. The second represents a vain attempt do do the same thing.

If a good course is one where you play to your handicap or better and a bad course is one where you struggle to break 100, why are there so many bad courses?

Why is is that no successive swings are ever the same except when you hit consecutive shots out of bounds?