I always hear about how knowing golf is so important in business and helps with networking/relationships. Has anyone experienced this in REPE? Should you be a good golfer or just competent?
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Competent is fine. As long as you don't slow people down (i.e. know when to pick up your ball), are upfront about your abilities (don't act like a scratch golfer when you can't break 100), and are fun to have in the cart you should still get invited out and enjoy it. Real estate may have the lowest average handicap of any profession on the planet outside of professional golfers, but there are still a lot of us who fucking suck (yours truly included).
When I got a job at a boutique real estate investment banking firm in Florida back in the pre-2008 days, I played golf with partners and clients and prospective clients probably 2x a week. I got 'competent' during that time (really helps when firm is paying, and partners have memberships at very expensive clubs). So, yeah it can't hurt. Now that in NYC area, I'm too busy to play.
Many of those outings were on the weekends, so it technically cut into my free time (welcome to I-banking), but it was better than doing other shit work.
It helps to not be embarrassing. Being good is cool and all, but not being bad is far more useful.
Still, if it’s not your thing, don’t sweat it. Cycling is becoming super popular in the industry, and drinking is always a classic, so there are other options.
Do not play golf to benefit your real estate career. If you like the game then have at it. If you don't then pass on it.
Life is too short to spend your free time on stuff you don't like doing.
Golfing seems to be more popular on the operator side than at big PE funds. That being said, it is extremely common for everyone to golf in real estate, and knowing how will definitely get you some great networking that you wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
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