Hello everyone and welcome back to the Mr Business Golf Podcast, I’m your host…Scot Duke.
So, in my last episode …Business Golf Builds Relationships: Part 1, I talked about the number one strength business golf has over other methods of building business relationships.
In Business Golf Builds Relationships: Part Two I want to highlight one of the other facets business golf has over other forms of business relationship building or business networking.
No Talking Business While Playing Golf
I talked about how golf brings out the true character of a person…well Golf also brings in a more social aspect to building business relations.
Golf played in its true form naturally promotes being social. OH, I know..there are many times two very competitive golfers will get together and being social is only displayed in a hand jester or a nod of the head. Which could be kind of anti-social.
However, when playing business golf, whoever initiated the round of golf should make sure to go out of their way to eliminate the round from being all about competition and turn it into what business golf is defined as being…a purposeful non-judgmental round of golf where the time is spent getting to know the individuals playing the game. Not a demonstration of golf skills.
Of course, this is getting into How to Play Business Golf which over time I will get into in depth, but for the purpose of this episode, I’m talking about Why You Should Be Playing Golf.
Build Business Relationship
To me…understanding why you need to be playing golf is way more important. Once playing golf is accomplished learning how to play business golf just becomes a natural part of playing golf. And believe me..there is a right way and a wrong way to playing business golf… like I said…I WILL get to another time.
Let’s get back to the social part of business golf. I am frequently asked what are some of the things you should talk about when playing business golf that make the round of golf more social.
What you talk about during the round is part of that being the social aspect of business golf. Depending on a person’s personality social conversation becomes natural, but for some small talk is just something they have a hard time doing.
Small talk is what should be taking place during the time the players are not focused on making their next shot.
Lee Trevino was a natural at having small talk between golf shots…and sometimes during the golf shot. Talking during a round of golf was part of the game for Mr Trevino…and he did a lot of it. However, from the stories I have been told Lee would sometimes use that small talk as part of how he competed.
Small Talk
One of the stories told about Lee amongst the locals here in Dallas is way back when Lee was just getting started playing golf he naturally was not as good as many of the golfers of those days. So Lee would have to come up with ways to balance the playing field. Being known for his overly talkativeness his opponents expected it. To get things rolling Lee would ask his opponent a question…as the story was told to me.
As Lee and his playing opponent are walking up to take their tee shot or make a putt…Lee would matter-of-factly ask his opponent if he inhaled or exhaled during his backswing.
Usually, that would get a strange look of confusion from his opponent. But that question did what it was intended to do. Lee would just step back and watch.
If you are a golfer you can imagine what happened next. That’s right..the question would usually get into Lee’s opponent’s head resulting in them messing up their swing or shoot..or missing that gimmie putt…sometimes for the rest of the round.
That would give Lee the edge of gaining a stroke or two from a better player.
Lee didn’t ask the question out of meanest. It was all to him and others just Small Talk…but was it?
Be Social
Now I told that story so you are aware of what questions you should not ask your business golf partner while playing a round of business golf…during a round of golf,..maybe…but remember..what goes around, comes around when you are playing a round of golf. So if you go that route..expect it to come back at you.
But let’s get back to being social while playing business golf and how that builds a better business relationship.
You have to remember while playing business golf you are out to get to know each other better. Even if you are in a foursome of players, socializing with all of them individually and as a group during the round allows for everyone to get to know each other better.
Now, if you are not a talkative person and conversation does not come naturally…remember…all interesting conversations usually start off with asking a question.
Here are a few questions I use when I am having my first golf outing with someone.
Have You Ever Played…
Yes, asking someone if they have ever played golf on a golf course in the area or in another state or country is a safe start. Their answer is going to be No or Yes.
If it is no..then continuing the conversation with stating you have also never played there but would like to…could lead off into an interesting batter. If you had played the golf course in question, then telling them something about the course could lead to another direction for a conversation.
If the answer is Yes and you have not played the course in question. Then the next question should naturally be if they liked it or not. If you had played the course then naturally comparing notes would be the natural direction for that conversation.
What Else
I will sometimes lead off the round with a curve ball and ask… So, you play golf..do you have any other hobbies or side hacks you like doing?
Now, I will have to warn you..the answer to that question could lead you either going off into la-la-land or into a whole new world of something you might have a lot interest in. Either way..roll with the flow and try to keep that thread of conversation going for a few holes.
DO’s and Don’t
There are a few things to stay away from talking about while playing business golf. The list of DON’T’s is short.
Do Not Talk Shop or get into pushing on a sale. Any inkling of the round of golf turning into a 5-hour sales pitch has a 98% chance of leading to a short round of miserable golf…and leaving you with a negative impression.
Stay the course and leave the business talk for after the round…or for that second meeting, you will have with your new friend.
If you are asked business questions, always redirect the conversation by reminding your guest you’ll talk business after the round.
Saying something like..”I’d love to get into all that but so we can give it the attention that subject really needs, let’s pick that up when we get off the course.”
Business topics you can talk about are:
What’s In The News. Questions like…”Hey, did you hear about that merger between Y & Z corporations ?”
“Do You Know?” Questions like asking someone in your group if they know someone who could solve a problem you have in your business are about as close to talking business as you should get. Nothing wrong with tip-toeing into a business discussion…just make sure to end it and move on to something more social once you get the answer you need.
There are several more topics that would be safe conversations I’ll bring up in other discussions, but for now, I think you get the drift on how spending the time during a round of business golf being social builds a better business relationship. It certainly beats standing around during a business networking gathering and hearing a few dozen elevator pitches.
OK, that is about all the time I have for this episode. I’ll be back soon to talk more about why you should be playing business golf.
In the meantime, if you have a question about business golf or a topic you would like for me to discuss in an upcoming episode contact me through my MrBusinessGolf.com site. I would love to hear from you.
Until then…let me know how I can help.
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