Follow these guidelines for successful business golf outings!

Planning the Outing:
Its all about the impression you create – plan well!

• Invite the right people – are they compatible?
• Know your objectives and don’t plan too much focus on business
• Know the skill levels of your playing partners – manage expectations
• Play a familiar course and know local rules
• Ask your guest for any time constraints before or after the round
• Arrive plenty early and help your guest get acclimated
• Tell your guest both the arrival time and the tee time.
• Plan for meals
• Understand course etiquette and basic rules
• If you’re the host, consider bring them a golf gift such as a book of Golf Games!!, or a sleeve of balls, divot repair tool, ball marker etc.

And be sure to tell them about Great Games for Golf.com !!!

Be Prepared:
Your image is first affected by how well you appear prepared.

• Schedule tee times well in advance and confirm the day before
• Give the pro shop the names of your guests
• Inform your guests of any dress codes or weather concerns
• Have extra business cards with you
• Know about the driving range and where to get practice balls
• Have cash ready for tipping.

Attitude:
Remember, your guests will remember more about  conduct and integrity than what score you got!

• Maintain a positive attitude and sense of humor
• Be encouraging to your guests
• Avoid foul language and displays of temper.
• Focus on your client or guest, not your golf score
• Be sensitive to your guests sense of rules on the course – be compatible
• Watch your language and temper tantrums
• Offer to keep score – or not – if they would rather

Conduct on the Course:
You don’t have to be a great player to be great to play with!

• Stand still and be quiet when your partners are hitting a shot or putting.
• Understand the basic rules – but don’t be the rules enforcer
• Know where carts are not supposed to be (around tees and greens)
• Be a good citizen and fix your divots, ball marks and rake traps
• Beware of casting shadows in other players putting line
• Buy beverages and snacks if you’re the host – Limit alcohol consumption
• Keep your conversations quiet –  be aware of golfers on adjacent holes
• Count every stroke and penalty shot of your own when scoring
• Let your playing partners tell you their score – don’t challenge them

Speed of Play:
Don’t make your guests wait on you!

• Be at the first tee on time and ready to go
• Ask the group if they mind playing  “ready” golf (no order to teeing off)
• Keep it moving.  Have a simple pre-shot routine– one practice swing
• If you’ve hit more than 7 shots consider picking up to keep it moving
• Don’t take too long hunt for a lost ball – be ready with a spare

Betting:
If planned well, a little bet can add a lot of fun to the outing.

• Agree on the game and stakes before you tee off.
• This can be dangerous territory.  Let your guest take the lead on betting –
• Use the book Great Games for Golf  for fun game options for betting!
• Keep the stakes low – consider non-cash awards (like drinks)
• Pay any debts immediately at the conclusion of the round
• If you win, it’s courtesy to offer to buy a round of drinks
• Play your game … don’t lose intentionally
• Be a gracious winner or loser – keep a smile on your face.

Doing Business During the Round:
Maintain a careful balance of fun to business for a great outing

• Listen attentively-let the client/prospect take the lead on business talk.
• Be ready with important information about your company
• Ask general business questions to open the conversation
• Observe behavior traits for clues to business style
• Don’t press for commitments on the course – keep it general
• Think “long term” relationship.

Follow Through After the Round:
Leverage your opportunities

• Try to include a casual lunch, refreshments
• Watch for an opportunities to get commitments you’re seeking ie.
• “I would like to follow up with you…,  Can we plan on…, Shall we go ahead and…..?
• Schedule a date for the next meeting and agree on objectives
• Send a thank you note within 24 hours
• Keep your promises!

Be sure to order our Business  Golf Event Planners Guide