Should I learn to Golf?
I plan on staying in high finance (IB/PE) for the majority of my career. Is it necessary to learn to golf?
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Only MDs may play golf with clients and that's rare. Just work on your alcohol tolerance.
Following. Can’t even hit balls at the driving range.
I'm not sure golf is going to make or break your career, but it can't hurt. I wouldn't learn it simply to do it with your colleagues (since that doesn't really happen all that often), but if the time comes and your MD/VP are golfing with a client CEO/CFO and somehow 1 person backs out, you may be in the position to get the call. You'll probably build stronger relationships with those people as it's a more social interaction vs. the typical work environment.
I played golf in college. It helps more with friends, but it doesn't hurt.
If you were starting at zero and had the opportunity to learn three things between how to socially interact, coding, and golf, I'd probably go in that order (social skills, something technical, sports skills). Basically I'm saying you can get by without it. A lot of people on wall street are also pretty smart and ahead of the curve, so more people are talking about their diet/workout routine than golf.
HOWEVER, golf is a great sport to learn, I enjoy it and think everyone should play (just as long as they don't back me up on the course hah). The hardest think about golf is not only is it technically hard to learn, but learning the etiquette is in itself its own game. If you want to learn golf, make sure you work on etiquette as well (know where to stand, when to talk, order/pace of play, how long to look for a ball).
I really hope not... I get embarrassed at Top Golf, so I couldn't imagine myself on the course
I grew up caddying all through high school. There is no shortage of finance professionals at private golf club, all with varying levels of skills. Golf is definitely a great game to learn, but as a warning it is the hardest to master. Don't think you'll play for a few years and somehow get really good.
That being said, knowing how to act properly is a lot more important that having a low handicap, especially if you get invited to play at the high-end clubs.
Not necessary, but helpful. Used to work for an MD that didn't (couldn't) and his deal flow sucked.
Is correlation causation though?
Yes, he was terrible at BD and generally disliked, but don't ruin my hypothesis!
Yes because its fun. I will be a very happy camper once I can finally get back to the driving range, brush up a bit, and hit the links.
If you want to then go for it. If you want to because you think it'll do something for your career then you'd be right, but only if you're good at it. Everyone likes to know a guy who played volleyball for the national team, squash in the olympics, or golfed at XYZ course.
LOL - I tried SO hard to learn. I am simply not able to play. It just doesn't work. So far, I'm ok. Usually even if you don't actually play, there's some luncheon or dinner afterwards that you can attend.
If you're able to learn, it's not a bad idea. Necessary, not sure that's the case.
You should train everyday to become as good as Phil Mickelson. If you fail to become at least PGA level, then you should quit life because you'll never make MD or move to the buyside.
A good golf game can make for some sweet sweet moments in life, both personally and professionally.
If you have the time and resources, my advice is to:
Best of luck.
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