Business on the Golf Course

By on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 | No Comments

Business on the Golf Course

There’s probably no better place in the world to conduct business than on the golf course. Business executive all over the world know that sharing a common frustration with their golf game promotes the perfect environment for business talk. More partnerships and businesses have been changed on the golf course than you could ever imagine.

When you are conducting business on the golf course, you have the luxury of sharing a common goal – to beat each other. Yet at the same time, when you are playing with business associates on the golf course, you really need to practice some decorum when playing golf with a potential business affiliate.

So how do you balance business with sport on the golf course? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Just as with any decision in business, you have to weigh the outcome with what is happening. If you are trying to land a big account, you probably won’t want to make fun of your potential client’s missed chip shot.

However, you won’t want to gain a reputation as a suck-up either. If your potential client makes a 7 on a par 3 hole, you really don’t want to whoop and holler because it will be obvious you are just trying to stroke his (or her) ego. Conducting business on the golf course is a delicate proposition, so start with a plan in mind.

DO NOT – and we stress this a lot – DO NOT begin your golf match with a declaration of what you hope to accomplish by the end of the round. If you want to insure that you will be landing that big account, don’t put on your golf glove on tee #1 and declare your intention. The idea behind conducting business on the golf course is to make friends first and then do your business.

As you are playing, keep in mind that you will want to bring your “A” game as much as is humanly possible. Sure, you might be playing against a person who is head and shoulders above you, but if you are the better player, DON’T let them win just because you want to gain their business. Play golf like you mean it and gain that prospect’s respect.

There is much business that is done on the golf course every day of every week. You won’t find a better place to make a business deal than on the links. However, you will want to use some form of decorum to insure that your business goals will come to reality. Taking business on the golf course could be the best business decision you ever make!

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Top Golf Courses In The World

By on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 | No Comments

Top Golf Courses In The World

There are literally hundreds and hundreds of golf courses all around the world. With the popularity of the game rising, you can find golf courses in even the smallest of towns – or, at the very least within a short driving distance. Have you ever wondered what golf courses are ranked as the top golf courses in the world? Here’s a short list in no particular order:

* Augusta National; Augusta, Georgia – Home to the Masters Tournament, Augusta is one of the most beautiful and popular golf courses to play. It was planned and designed by golf legend Bobby Jones and architect Alister Mackenzie. It is a very exclusive golf club and open only to members and their guests.

* Pebble Beach; Pebble Beach, California – This has been a perennial favorite golf course among pros and amateurs alike. It hosts an annual celebrity pro-am tournament that brings all sorts of celebrities to play with pro golfers. It is a public course, but be warned, it isn’t cheap to play here!

* Shinnecock Hills; Southampton, New York – This is an old golf club with old traditions and is probably one of the oldest US golf course design dating back to 1891. It is a members only club as well.

* Pinehurst Resort; Pinehurst, North Carolina – This is an old golf course as well with rich tradition as being one of the favorites of golfers everywhere. Pinehurst has played host to two US opens and is a public course.

* Prairie Dunes; Hutchison, Kansas – Set in the Midwest, this golf course has proven to be quite a challenging 18 holes with numerous sand traps and wind playing a factor in the game. It is, however, a rather exclusive club, so you’ll have to work extra hard to get on the link at Prairie Dunes.

* St. Andrews; St. Andrews, Scotland – This is where golf started and the tradition in rich on this beautiful golf course in this amazing country. There are six golf courses associated with the St. Andrews Links Organization including “The Old One” where golf was born.

* Royal County Down; Newcastle, N. Ireland – This is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland and is a great golf course for anyone who is looking for a challenging round in a breathtakingly beautiful place. Be prepared to walk, though, they don’t allow “buggies” on this course.

* Muirfield; Gullane, Scotland – This golf course is one of the oldest in the world and provides challenge for golfers of all experience levels. It has played host to several different tournaments and championships over the years and remains one of the most sought out trips for golfers.

You certainly have your choice of golf courses all around the world depending on how far you want to travel. But don’t forget to look right in your own backyard. Some of the small local golf courses can present just as much challenge.

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