Businessmen playing golf is rather a popular stereotype. Quite simply, there is ample reason why golfing is good for business and why so many successful people play it.
Let’s take a look at six reasons you should take up golf if you want to improve your business game.
1. You Get to Meet New People
Joining a golf club provides plenty of opportunities for meeting new people from all walks of life. Whether it is actually out on the links or at the club afterward, you are bound to come across potential clients, business partners, or even employees.
Make sure you don’t immediately start chatting about work, and take some time to make small talk. This will help you get to know your fellow golfers better, and you will be able to leverage this relationship if you ever need to.
2. You Get to Know People
Playing any sport with a potential partner or client will tell you an incredible lot about them. You will get to see them under pressure and how they react when winning or losing. Plus, you can gauge their manner towards others and how they make their decisions.
All of this knowledge can then help you determine whether you want to do business with them or not.
3. You Get to Know Yourself
You will definitely get to know a little more about yourself while playing golf. In fact, you might also be able to hone some patience and keep your temper under control.
Golf is a game that relies on your skills alone, so you will live and die by your own cool and practice. Mastering how to be calm under pressure will be an invaluable lesson for your business life as well.
4. You Have Time to Chat
There is plenty of downtime in golf while you are driving around the links or tinkering around with your cart. This will provide a lot of opportunities to exchange ideas, pick someone’s brains on a topic that interests you, or even propose a business idea.
Make sure to avoid forcing business talk if someone is more interested in purely having a relaxing time. You can always schedule a meal or a drink for another time.
5. It Allows You to Spend Time Outdoors
Modern-day business forces us to spend a lot of time indoors and in front of a screen, and any opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise is a great one. Golf is the perfect excuse to relax, recuperate, and change your scenery.
The combination of fresh air and movement (even if it’s just walking around the links) is a great way to improve your health too. You will feel much better after as little as an hour away from the office, thinking about something other than work.
6. It’s a Great Way to De-Stress
Playing a regular game of golf is also a great way to reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Movement and time spent outdoors will reduce your cortisol levels, so you’ll be better able to focus on your work when you return to the office.
Make sure you schedule in some regular time on the links, especially when you have a high-stress period ahead. Don’t think of it as time away from work but rather as the time that will allow you to perform better.
Final Thoughts
Golf can be a great way to relax, meet new people, and improve your health, all in one fell stroke if you’ll excuse the pun. If you are not yet a keen golfer, find a course nearby and start perfecting your swing.
