You\u2019re here at the course.\u00a0 You\u2019re ready.\u00a0 Well, maybe\u00a0 not, because you\u2019re scared to death.<\/p>\n
No problem.\u00a0 There are a few things you can do to survive this day.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve arrived early, right?\u00a0 Go into the Pro Shop and buy something \u2013 anything, even a pair of socks.\u00a0 It is always a good idea to support the Pro Shop. Your host may want to purchase something for you but that doesn\u2019t matter here.\u00a0 After the purchase, introduce yourself to the Pro or the Assistant on duty.\u00a0 Tell them who you are and who is your host.\u00a0 Then ask for some information about the course and if there is any\u00a0inside information you should know, i.e. do the greens break a certain way?\u00a0 Are they fast?\u00a0 Is there a special hazard that is legendary?\u00a0 Is there a hole where the placement of your drive is essential but not obvious\u00a0from the tee?<\/p>\n
Why should you do this, you may ask?<\/p>\n
One, these conversations will begin to relax you by focusing on something other than the fact that you are anxious;\u00a0 Two, it is proactive by allowing\u00a0the Pro Shop to recognize you and get to know you a little;\u00a0 Three, it gives you some valuable information you can use and SHARE WITH your foursome out on the course.\u00a0 Your host or the other players may have played this course before but it is very possible they have never asked the staff the questions you have and may not know the information.<\/p>\n
Inside information is always handy to have.\u00a0 You\u2019ve already read up on general information about the course from\u00a030 Days to Business Golf-Part 3 in your preparations but there are always pieces of lore that will not be on any website.<\/p>\n
Next item of business:\u00a0 get a bucket of balls and go to the practice range.\u00a0 This is vital for becoming more relaxed.\u00a0 Do some limbering stretches and loosen up.\u00a0 Start with a wedge or 9-iron and work your way through the bag by hitting a few balls with the 7-iron, the 5, your 5-wood, 3-wood and finally your driver.\u00a0 Then try your lob wedge or sand wedge.\u00a0 Go to the practice bunker if there is one.\u00a0 Make your way to the practice green and do some putting.\u00a0 Long putts are perfect for assessing green speed, although we know that the practice green is never like the real greens on the course.\u00a0\u00a0 Practice some short putts, which\u00a0are vital toward finely tuning your stroke and building confidence.<\/p>\n
During this 30-40 minute practice session, you\u2019ll find that you will continue to relax and if you are hitting good shots, your attitude will get a boost.\u00a0 We all know we’re great on the practice range – and then the game goes south\u00a0during the ‘longest walk in golf’, which is\u00a0the path from the practice tee to the first tee; but here\u2019s the good news:\u00a0 your group will be arriving during this time and will see you out there on the range.\u00a0 If you are hitting good shots, they\u2019ll be impressed.\u00a0 If not, they\u2019ll see you are trying to improve.\u00a0 And THAT is the main objective.\u00a0 Remember that business golf is truly NOT about the golf but instead about sizing up the character and strength of a business associate.<\/p>\n
As you begin your round, let your host take charge.\u00a0 Do whatever he or she would like you to do (except cheat, of course).\u00a0 Most of all, decide to have fun and enjoy the day.\u00a0 If you play well, great, and if not, don\u2019t sweat it.\u00a0 However, there are a few Do\u2019s and Don\u2019t\u2019s that are absolutely vital which have nothing to do with whether or not your score is stellar.<\/p>\n
DO:\u00a0\u00a0 PRACTICE GOOD ETIQUETTE<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Replace divots or pour the seed\/fertilizer mixture over the divot hole<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rake bunkers<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Repair ball marks on greens, even if you don\u2019t make them;\u00a0 repairing the ball marks of your foursome is especially courteous<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Play fast and do not hold up your foursome or the players behind you;\u00a0 be ready when it is your turn to hit<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be quiet and stay still while others are hitting<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keep carts where they should be: away from the greens, tees, bunkers, and especially the water hazards<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Watch where you stand so you don\u2019t interfere with another player\u2019s shot or line of vision<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If the group is allowing \u2018Mulligans\u2019, go ahead and take one.<\/p>\n
DO:\u00a0\u00a0 BE A GOOD SPORT<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Never criticize anyone\u2019s play<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Encourage your team or foursome<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Remain positive even if your game is tanking<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Take part in course or team games like sandies or greenies or 6-6-6 (more on this later)<\/p>\n
DO:\u00a0 KNOW YOUR RULES<\/p>\n
While it isn\u2019t necessary to be as knowledgeable as a Pro Tour or USGA\u00a0rules official, there are some basic rules, vital to know:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you hit it out of bounds, drop another ball from where you originally played and hit again, adding two to your score (one stroke for the shot you hit and one for the penalty);\u00a0 this also applies if you lose your ball.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you hit it in the water, there are some semi-complicated procedures for all kinds of instances I won\u2019t get into here, but for simplicity\u2019s sake, do this:\u00a0 if there are yellow stakes, drop your ball behind where it went in.\u00a0 If there are red stakes, drop your ball within two club-lengths next to where it went in, no closer to the hole.\u00a0 Add one stroke to your score.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you swing and miss, add the stroke.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Add up all of your strokes.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do not cheat; if the team is so desperate to win an event that they feel compelled to cheat, do your best not to cooperate; file that knowledge in your \u2018business brain\u2019.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Put a USGA rule book in your bag but don\u2019t be a \u2018rules ghoul\u2019.\u00a0 Everyone hates that.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mulligans, or do-over shots, are against official rules but are generally accepted in friendly games, usually on the first tee.\u00a0 Go ahead and take advantage of it.<\/p>\n
OK, now for the DON\u2019Ts:<\/p>\n
DO NOT:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 criticize anyone\u2019s play<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 whine or complain about how terrible you are or how bad your game is today;\u00a0\u00a0this may be\u00a0true but it will be evident so don\u2019t dwell on it<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 if you are a better player, do not give swing instructions unless asked<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 throw clubs or swear<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 bring up any business discussions unless your host starts the conversation<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 if you are a good player, don\u2019t moan about hitting a shot 20 feet off line<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 tell racist or sexist jokes or stories<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 spread gossip about co-workers or business associates<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 drink too much alcohol<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 walk out on any bets<\/p>\n
At the end of the round, try to accept any lunch or dinner invitations; this is normally where business could be discussed and you don\u2019t want to miss out.\u00a0 Go to the locker room and freshen up but don\u2019t make a major deal out of it and spend an hour getting ready.\u00a0 For women, have a sporty hat handy in case your hair is a mess.\u00a0 Men should not wear a hat in the club.\u00a0 Have a change of clothes ready if everyone else is changing; however,\u00a0it is perfectly acceptable to remain in your golf clothes.<\/p>\n
Thank your host and your partners.\u00a0 Afterwards, be truly\u00a0gracious and send a thank-you note to your host within a few days.\u00a0 It will be appreciated.<\/p>\n
Breathe a sigh of relief:\u00a0 you\u2019ve survived!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
OK, I’m prepared. Now what? How do I get through this day?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,9],"tags":[4854],"class_list":["post-123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-instruction","category-golf","tag-business-golf-survival"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":582,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123\/revisions\/582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}