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Golf Anyone?

June 24, 2008

Golf and business. Business and golf. There are definitely two schools of thought on this topic. There are the avid golfers that SWEAR more business gets done on a golf course than in the office and then there are the non golfers who absolutely scoff at that idea.

I was part of the 2nd group for most of my sales career and I have done pretty ok without golf. I think Mark Twain said “golf is a terrible way to ruin a good walk.” For most of my life I was in total agreement with Mark on this one.

But I guess if I am brutally honest with myself I have always been curious about the “golfer.” I was probably even a bit jealous and here is why.

I have been on sales calls with coworkers or former bosses and I have witnessed with my own eyes a conversation between a potential prospect and the sales person go from lackluster to love when one asked the other “do you golf?” and the other said “yes!”

From that point forward, whatever these two individuals were discussing before this question was broached was just completely forgotten and the next hour would be spent talking about this golf course or that one, this new driver they just bought, or the “hole in one” they almost had on Tuesday and on and on and on…..I would just roll my eyes and wonder how in the world this happens? What is the allure of this sport?

Well, recently I had the chance to give this sport a chance. I was involved in a scramble with a bunch of girls who really didn’t keep score just wanted to socialize and get out in the sun and enjoy the day. It was very non threatening way to try it so I did.

Well folks, it has been a month since that first round and I will have to tell you that I have played almost every week and I cannot wait to do it again!

I guess there is something to be said for being on a beautiful course – no cars, no noise just trees and gorgeous grass for miles. It truly does have a way of taking your mind off the daily grind.

It is pretty tough too! I am amazed how on one hole on the course I can look like Tiger Woods (okay maybe not that good but not bad) and the next hole I am trying to figure a way to put 15 strokes on my score card without anyone noticing (yep – 15 strokes – did that!) I guess the unpredictability keeps you honest and it keeps the game interesting that is for sure.



But mostly I am excited that I can now answer yes when the golf question is inevitably going to be asked by one of my prospects over lunch.

Believe it or not, it is working – business and golf. I have a prospect that I have been working really hard to find common ground with and guess what – I have it – GOLF! He is spending more time with me now than he has in the past. I can talk the talk with him and it is fun!

So I guess as I move into the 2nd part of my life I am going to have to disagree with Mark Twain on this one. Golf is actually making my good walk a lot less boring!

Written by ChristyRollyson · Filed Under LUCRUM News 

Comments

3 Responses to “Golf Anyone?”

  1. Nick Wright on June 24th, 2008 6:10 pm

    Christy,

    I hope this great game helps you close some great deals. I’ve recently started playing golf a lot with my fiancee’s dad, and it’s really helped us bond… so it works wonders in other areas of life too.

    Nick Wright

  2. Suzanne Lorch on June 25th, 2008 1:08 pm

    Christy, I’ve heard this variation on your quote: “Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic”…..there’s a reason those pencils don’t have erasers!

    Also, bear in mind, as you invite customers to play golf: “If you break 100, watch your golf. If you break 80, watch your business”. ~Joey Adams

    Fore!

  3. LUCRUM Radio, Episode 2: Joel Suggs | TheFutureValueofBusiness.com on January 28th, 2009 3:35 pm

    [...] Rollyson, one of our Account Executives recently wrote about her first experiences on the golf course and how golf relates to business.  I asked PGA member Joel Suggs to join me and Christy in a [...]

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