What happens when your boss asks you to play golf with a big client and you’ve never played golf before? Maybe your only experience with golfing has been on a mini golf course or hitting a bucket of balls on the driving range with friends.

The fact is that many business deals are closed on the golf course. Golf can be a very effective tool for business networking.  You don’t need to be a great golfer to make a good impression on clients. The qualities that people value in the business world -- confidence, self-assuredness and composure -- are certainly possible to display on the golf course, regardless of the numbers that you jot down on your scorecard.

There’s a lot of downtime when you’re playing 18 holes of golf which provides you with plenty of opportunities to get to know your clients on a more personal level and to discuss possible business opportunities. If you can play, talk golf, and network with your clients at the same time, the better your chances are to close that important deal.

So, if you’ve never played golf before, you’re going to need to learn how to play golf fast!

The most important thing

The good news is that you can learn how to play golf fast, even in as little as two weeks. First, etiquette and attitude are both important in the game of golf. So, spend some time reading up on golf etiquette online, about dressing appropriately and about the gear of the game, including the clubs, bag, and gloves. 

Schedule some lessons with a local golf pro who can help you get off on the right foot. Plan on spending some time at the driving range and putting green on the weekend and during the week if you’re able. Figure out what club(s) you’re most comfortable using and stick with them.  Practice your putting so you can become as comfortable as possible with judging the speed of the ball, the distance, and the line.

While two weeks is not nearly enough time to become good at playing golf, you can make some big strides if you put in a good amount of practice time. You’re going to hit some bad shots and probably won’t score very well, but the key is to keep a good attitude throughout the game. Tell the client that you’ve recently taken up the game and focus on keeping up with the play.

After your first 18 holes

Hopefully, after your first time playing golf, you were able to have fun and good luck landing that big client. And, you may have discovered that golf is fun and that you want to continue learning the game, not only for networking, but for your own pleasure.

Joining a country club such as Calabasas Country Club, offers you the opportunity to improve your game by signing up for lessons with one of our pros or taking advantage of our complimentary clinics.

Stop in today and ask about our club membership plans.