is learning golf important?
I can take golf classes at my college as part of my curriculum, but honestly, golf looks pretty damn boring. How important is it to learn golf for business? And considering I wouldn't really have access to golf courses at home to practice, do you guys think it's worth just learning the basics of the game at college? The class is going to class about two months, three times a week, so I'm obviously not gonna come out as a pro, but hopefully I will know how to play at least a bit.
No.
Really? Because even in my internship, there have been some times when it would have been useful.
At what point in your career does it become consistently important?
Will it potentially be beneficial to know the game at some point in a 30+ year finance career? Yes. Will it help for a year or two in IB? Doubtful (and that impact will be almost nonexistent, if any at all). One big caveat is that it also depends on ability. If you're trying to use golf to network, build relationships and "do deals on the golf course", then get good at the sport. Anyone who is going to want to meet you to talk business on the course is likely going to enjoy playing and at least be semi-decent (maybe 10-17 handicap). If you're a 20+, then its not a very enjoyable experience for anyone in the group. That said, a 2 month golf class in college will not help you play a full round. I would hold off and get into the sport if you develop a genuine interest or have time and access to facilities to improve your game (later in life). Otherwise you run the risk of telling people you play golf (after a 2 month class in college), they invite you to play a round and you hack your way through the course - that will likely leave a bad impression on whoever invited you
This.
Golf can come in useful but it's not something you should play simply because it can be helpful in business. It takes a long time and lots of hours to get good then it takes consistent practice and play to stay good so if you don't actually like it you'd be spending a lot of time (and money) for years doing something you don't like. And like abstractions saying above, it's probably worse to suck and go out golfing with guys who are good than it is just to not go.
I would say go and do the college course though. It'll give you a taste of golf and it'll be free (as free as free phys ed courses can be when you pay $60k/yr for college). You can see if you like it and continue playing (there's nearly always a way to hit some balls no matter where you are) or figure out you don't like it and don't play again.
I'm two weeks into my full time IB gig and I'm playing with my coworkers this weekend. While not everyone is a great golfer, being able to make some good shots and look like you enjoy something that takes patience, skill, and hard work will build you some valuable rapport.
this forum never disappoints
Thanks everyone.
Ballin’ on the Green- How important is golf in banking and business? (Originally Posted: 07/15/2012)
I’ve always heard people in the business world say golf is a great sport for business and deal making. It’s not an overly rough or physically demanding sport (which is not saying it’s easy – it’s probably one of the most challenging sports in the world) and lends it itself to being played by all ages. That being said, ever since I started working full-time I’ve noticed a lot of “important meetings” and “client appointments” take place “over a couple of holes”. Now I’m sure most analysts working 90-hour weeks have little or no time to work on their handicaps, but if golf is required for the corporate world:
While I was an SA at a BB, the first day I walked in to speak with an MD (in PB sales) I noticed a putter lying on his desk.
I’ve played on and off since I was sixteen, so while I seldom shoot under 90, I don’t feel completely out of place at a golf course. It also helps that I work maybe 60 hours (in the insurance industry) and can hit the driving range Chelsea Piers at least once or twice a week. But what about you guys in banking? It seems as your career progresses from Analyst to MD (well hopefully) and a more sales/revenue generating role – you need to be more and more comfortable swinging a club (correct me if I’m wrong). But in the mean time at what point of time are you able to actually start playing the game and become halfway competent? I mean at Analyst through VP level – I can’t imagine you have enough time, and by the time you’re a director of some sort you already need to be out there.
Maybe it just appears to me that being able to play golf seems more important for business than it actually is and that’s not actually the case. I can say with certainty that in insurance, if you’re in any sort of sales/client role – you will have to play at some point of time. I can’t imagine that banking is such a stretch (at the more senior levels I imagine). Would love to hear some feedback on this? I think author P.G. Wodehouse sums it up pretty well,
Actually I think you'd be shocked how little talking goes on during a round of golf, esp if you are walking. Even in a cart, you might have a half hour total of conversation. But beyond that you are waiting for people to hit, or hitting, and you better not be talking/yelling across the course during that time.
Playing is for building rapport and having fun, not for 'doing deals' in my opinion. The driving range is actually much better because it's OK to talk during a swing and more casual. Lots of guys play squash which you can talk a bit more during because it's fucking loud as all hell in there.
I guess the bottom line is that yes, it always helps and if you're a serious golfer you have instant rapport with many people - it's helped me a ton in that regard.
If you work in business, you should be able to handle a round of golf - noone expects you to be great, just play fast (see my post for beginners).
I think more of the business talk would happen at the bar/dinner after the round. But during the round, it's hard enough to focus on the game - getting substantial work done on a banking deal or negotiations I think would be really tough. Golf for us was the escape from all of that, we wouldn't talk much shop on the course, just little status updates more or less.
At the more senior levels, the point is to entertain potential clients, so again you talk little shop and just BS and have fun, that's the most important thing. But I don't think much actually gets locked up on the course in banking, maybe in sales it's different.
If you're in New York and you're in the finance industry in a non-relationship building job (aka not sales, PWM maybe, etc) then golfing is really really not a big deal. I tried to take up golf for business purposes but realized like 2 weeks into trying to golf regularly that not only did I not like it, but forcing myself to learn wasn't even useful. Now squash or tennis... at least when your boss knows you're good and he needs someone to play against you'll be that guy. Works wonders. That's not to say people don't get out of the city and go play a round of golf, but it's just much less practical than the movies make you think if you're in finance.
I've noticed the tennis thing, but it seems like only the older folks though, who would never consider letting a young runt play at their country club, ha ha. But good to know none-the-less. Again a pro-squash in NYC vote... really got to take it up again. If I remember right, it's a fantastic workout too.
Where do you play usually? Also, where do you usually play tennis? It's hard to find an easily accessible public court that isn't packed all the time. And I don't know where any of the private clubs are either (not to mention, they probably cost the earth).
Golf / IBanker (Originally Posted: 03/17/2007)
What do you think is the Nber 1 Hobby for IBanker?
I think Golf is
is smoking cigars a hobby?
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