Title: 
More Than A Just A Putt Or 2

Word Count:
446

Summary:
In addition to allowing the player to have a good time and get in a little exercise, the ability to play golf can be a highly desirable social skill and business tool. In the United States, golf has risen to the surface as the unofficial sport of the business world. It is widely known that many a business deal has originated on the golf course, it has even jokingly been said that board meetings only confirm decisions that are really made on the golf course. Due to that fact, ...


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Article Body:
In addition to allowing the player to have a good time and get in a little exercise, the ability to play golf can be a highly desirable social skill and business tool. In the United States, golf has risen to the surface as the unofficial sport of the business world. It is widely known that many a business deal has originated on the golf course, it has even jokingly been said that board meetings only confirm decisions that are really made on the golf course. Due to that fact, the ability to play a round of golf is considered to be a useful business skill. Business golf, as the name implies, should be thought of as playing a game with a purpose in mind.

The goal is less about having fun in the fresh air and more about impressing the people you are with. This means you have to be on your game both literally --in the golf sense, and figuratively --in the business sense. Golfing greens are often used as informal meeting rooms, sales arenas, and interview rooms. Business men and women can court new clients, schmooze the boss, make a deal or just make connections—all over a game of golf. Networking and making a good lasting impression are a very big deal in the business world. Keeping your eyes open and your mind sharp while on the green during the game, is the key to business golf.

Not surprisingly, various schools, including some very prestigious universities such as Stanford University, have started both undergraduate and graduate-level courses that teach "business golf". These courses remind business students that developing ideas and landing deals don't only happen in the office or during the usual business day. A key point of interest in the course (other than learning the game of golf) is the area of 'client focus.' While it may be difficult to think of the game as a meeting, that is exactly what you must do in order to be successful. If you are trying to attract a client or make some money for your company, you must refrain from too much of the usual joking, drinking and horseplay associated with playing sports.

The golf part of the meeting is secondary to the business part. It is not essential to have wonderful golf skills, but it is of the utmost importance to be poised and remember the goal of the meeting at all times. One does not even have to actually enjoy golfing to be a successful business golfer. One could even argue that the less you care about the outcome of the game the better you can focus on the business at hand.