Has anyone ever used golf as a networking tool?
I mean, first, do you mentioned on your resume that you're playing golf (even if you are not ranked)?
And then, have you ever obtain something (job, internship, promotion...) while playing golf?
(If you are from UK just replace the world "golf" by "cricket", the question remain the same lol)
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No. I've never played golf in my life and didn't plan to learn but everyone in finance/RE seems to play so I guess I should learn. I have played Cricket before but it was long before I was networking.
You definitely should try ! It's not difficult that much and I think can bring opportunities
Golf... not that difficult. Lmao
Bump
Much more golfers than cricket players in the UK and better golf courses too but ok, sure
I did get an internship offer at a firm in the city though just by playing golf with other members of my local club and chatting about school etc in the weekend competitions not knowing who they were beforehand. (Also my club is not some crazy cc)
Sorry about my mistake, though cricket >> golf in the UK. Thanks for letting me now !
And thanks for sharing your experience. I think I should try to play with other people someday maybe to meet some finance guy...
Golf was made in the UK...
Perhaps you are right, but golf putters know more about their skills. The golf course is considerably more difficult than the cricket field.
I picked up golf for this reason. Worked out ok, got to go on a few more client trips, did things on my own with RE people that was good..
But honestly... I found that out of all the RE people I networked with, those that golfed were hard to bear (second place were breakfast people). Idk what it is, there's a certain attitude on the golf course, was not fun, didn't like these people outside of golf. It's like it attracts a certain type of person... maybe I just don't mesh well with that type of person. My favorite people I networked with ended up just being people I would meet up with at bars or restaurants and get buzzed and shoot the shit. A lot of them actually became close friends.
so spot on, I did a couple of events that exposed me to the right people on the golf course and it's just so lame. every outing inevitably ends up turning into a dick measuring contest about where you've played, what your handicap is, the new clubs/balls/buttplug you have, it's rarely about the actual game. I'd much rather play with friends, get drunk, play music, goof off, and have fun.
TLDR - golf guys are usually douches
Yeah I agree, way to quantify it
What environment that is only men doesn't turn into a dick measuring contest to a degree?
On topic, dunno. My boss plays golf and the other global managers often open conference calls discussing that with him, so there's something to it.
No.UK
I'm from the UK and used to play a lot of golf when I had the time.
I managed to do a lot of networking and learn a lot about different industries from the people I played with. Was once offered an internship in a sector that I wasn't interested in. It's a fantastic way to make acquaintances that are very useful for future career paths.
Networking on the golf course is great. The key is not to be a dick and overbearing. Believe it or not, the people you play with actually want to play golf and enjoy themselves. If you can just focus on that: be pleasant, play quickly (regardless of ability), be humble, ask an occasional question. Typically I find it useful to let them know what you're interested in, ask a question once in awhile (don't be a dog on a bone) and at the end, tell them something like "Hey I really enjoyed playing with you. I'd like to talk to you more about X. Didn't really want to do that here cause that's no fun for anyone. Would it be OK if I call you in a few days and maybe we can catch lunch or X".
Soft sell. NOBODY wants to be hard sold on the course. If your pleasant and they like you and perceive you're smart, you'll have a high conversion rate of getting the next meeting. Always be closing for something. In this case, it's just to gain permission to contact them again re a meeting. Don't try to do too much.
Perfect. No one wants to be sold to but everyone wants to do business with their friends.
Edit: is that the idea? (obviously using friend loosely here)
Exactly the idea. I have done many "deals" that have involved relationship development on the golf course. Think of it that way, relationships. People do business with those they know / like / trust. They don't do business with (if they can avoid it) someone who is a pain in the ass, overly aggressive / perceive it's about them. Remember, they're the potential client. They have to see the value, not the other way around. Flip side is true. They're going to do business with someone. If they like you, think you're a good guy / gal, think you're knowledgeable and can help them, and your offering is competitive, they'll work with you. It's about relationships.
And if you both liked playing golf with each other, you may become a quasi regular. Friend golf is awesome. Business golf can feel like work. Just relax. Hopefully there becomes a blurring of the lines and your business golf partners become part of your friend group.
Your input is golden as usual. +1
If you think deals go down in board rooms you are probably right. The days of doing business away from the office AKA (two martinis deep during lunch) (golfing) are over; mainly due to what does and does not qualify as a write-offable business expense for tax purposes.
However, If you are low/medium class or have very few rich friends joining a golf club is a good way to meet people with a decent amount of wealth. This is only important if you are looking for LPs or non operating partners for a business idea you have. You are probably young and ambitions with lots of energy. They are old and do not have the energy to work full time but have the capital to take advantage of some decent opportunities.
I've only seen it once, but someone started a decent RE company basically only with country club connections as providers of capital. He would source deals (renovate/maintenance) and take a decent cut.
Only works if you're decent. For charity tournaments / scrambles, everyone always wants to bring someone who is a "good" golfer.
re: networking - any social hobby that you're good at can be used effectively (hiking, cycling, squash, etc.)
You don't have to be good. Just don't suck and for God's sake, play fast. Anything below a 20 handicap will work in a scramble. Now if you happen to be good, all the better.
I need to start playing again. I could have improved so much over COVID but instead never played and got so much worse.
It's a good way to get to know the people you're working with IMO and can be really fun if you have the right group of people.
Went out with a few fellow interns that I was working with when I was in IB that I didn't know very well before going out on the course. Before the round, we get to talking and we agree we're going to have some side action on the game while drinking a little bit. Drinking a little bit turns into us sneaking a 1.7 L bottle of Crown Royal and a 30 rack of beer onto the course. We agree on the first tee box that you have to either take a shot of Crown every hole or drink a beer. The first 9 holes weren't that bad but the back half was a **** show with all sorts of ridiculousness going on. I somehow managed to shoot the second-best round of my life in a drunken stupor that I have since been unable to replicate.
4+ years later we're still very close as a result of the relationship we built that day and still look back laughing about how dumb we were.
Golf is a traditional networking sport, but I have also been snowboarding with some people from GS in NYC. I think you can network in whatever activity interests you. Some people like tennis, squash, basketball, nearly everything.
I don’t think you should try networking over golf if you don’t know it’s from across the pond.
For real though, it’s a golden opportunity where you and another person (who could hire you) are really the same size, just two people out on the course. I’ve watched really impressive businesspeople turn into children over missed putts.
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