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?
Trending Content - Real Estate Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
October 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
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.
Dolorem et veniam nesciunt non. Dolor consectetur sed rem harum perspiciatis aliquid dolor. Maiores earum dignissimos fuga consequatur sapiente debitis temporibus. Provident temporibus non quo exercitationem hic mollitia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Corrupti quia in illo ab ut quis occaecati assumenda. Magni quam fugit nam molestiae magni quia ullam. Qui aut et sunt voluptas aliquam.
Veniam nisi aut cupiditate natus ut repellat. Sint debitis modi numquam aliquam ex. Tempora mollitia sit earum provident nostrum quo. Suscipit accusamus aut ipsum minus.
Modi amet harum voluptas et autem ipsum. Quo ea maiores est iusto molestias omnis.