As we go through life we find several things that naturally go together: hamburgers and french fries, washing and rinsing, night and day, etc. I like to think of the relationship of golf and networking like peanut butter and jelly, once you get stuck on golf it is hard to swallow sometime, some days you hit the ball smooth, others it is definitely the crunch of the rough beneath your feet…. and networking – when it is good it is sweet and tasty, complimenting everything around it.

That is why the marriage of golf and networking through-out this country is so very popular at this time. In almost every town and city where there is a golf course, there are business people conducting business on or around the hallowed land known as the golf course. Conducting business on a golf course has many advantages. You have the opportunity to spend 3-4 hours with someone who may usually be too busy to give you that much quality time under other circumstances. Also, situations on the golf course will show you what type of person you are dealing with. You may find that, as the round continues, that the person you are playing with is or is not the type of person that you want to do business with. Remember, they may be thinking the same about you. Plus, it is can be fun, depending on how seriously you take the game. And remember, it is only a game, involving an informal business meeting.

      While I recommend that you contact your local golf club or course to see what business golf gatherings they have, I do want to mention two examples of organized golf business networking. One is in the northeast. Founded by Dan Pincus, worldgolfs.com is a franchise program that involves decision makers golfing for business, with emphasis on business. Each chapter has 100 people, up to 4 duplicate industries per chapter. They have a breakfast; play a round of golf, and then a luncheon. Relationship building is key. No handicaps, no scores. No sales people allowed.

In contrast is Golf Business Network in the mid-west. run by Joe Francella,
CEO of Fibr-Plast, who also acts as membership director for the network. There are no limitations to membership categories and there is a 50/50 mixture of emphasis on golf vs. business/sales during the monthly gathering, which involves a lunch and then a round of golf. Prizes are given for closest to the hole, scores and other categories. You can attend the luncheon only if that is what your schedule allows. In both worldgolf.com and Golf Business Network, there is a lot of business given throughout the month, not just at the monthly events.

     So contact your local golf club and begin the journey of golf and networking. Bring a sandwich to take care of those hunger pains on the last 9 holes and you will be amazed at how much your business may grow.

(For a free subscription to The National Networker click on www.TheNationalNetworker.com and let them know that Peter Biadasz forwarded you.) 
 

NEW BOOK - Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score (Everything You Need To Know About Sales You Can Learn By Playing Golf)