Would You Be More Successful If You Golfed?

I've met plenty of people who are interested in golf but are afraid to get started. Golf is foreign, something "other people" or even "rich people" do.

Fear of the unknown = TERRIBLE reason not to do something. So I asked Merryll McElwain, a former golf pro turned financial advisor, to help out those of you with little to no experience with the sport. She has some great advice -- especially for women. Golf doesn't need be a "boy's club."

Tell me in the comments: Is golf a "must" or a "meh" in your business?

Former Golf Pro Merryll McElwain on Getting Started with Golf

Why is golf so important to relationship building? Why for women especially?

Merryll: Golf is one of the only sports where you get extensive quality time and conversation with someone. On the golf course, you have several hours of conversation available in between shots to really get to know someone. Golf has typically been a business tool for men. Women have used other ways to build relationships. I hear all the time from successful women who are frustrated with how difficult it is to break into the men's club. Golf, in my opinion, is an excellent tool to do that.

Does it matter if you're really not a great player?

Merryll: There are so many things that do matter, but level of play is not one of them. Many executives are average or below average golfers. If you're taking the game up late in life, you are not expected to be good.

What are a few tactical steps anyone can take to learn how to play golf in 30 days?

See the rest of Merryll's great tactical advice on Keith Ferrazzi's blog. Don't forget to comment!

 

 

 

Follow Keith Ferrazzi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/keithferrazzi

Comments

[mommadona]

03:50 AM on 11/05/2009

Golf is elitist, environmentally unsupportable,crony bound,male dominated,overpriced and just completely overrated "activity" that should never be considered a 'sport'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuT12_bPla8

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

10:23 PM on 11/03/2009

All problems solved: iust pay executives according to their true golfing skills.

[inmyhumbleopinion]

05:39 PM on 11/03/2009

I'm sure there would be far more women playing golf, if not for that little speedbump called "TIME", or rather the lack of it.

I took up golf before my children were born, and guess what? I haven't played in 15 years, mainly because to play with any level of competence, golf requires a good deal of practice. Unlike tennis or racquetball, you can't even play nine holes on the weekends in less than two hours. No, it's simply too time consuming for women with children at home, especially if you're also working full time. Perhaps I'll take it up again in five years when the last kid goes off to college...

[The Meek]

03:57 PM on 11/03/2009

Golf is the root cause of our current economic catastrophe.

Just joking ----kinda.

[tuberider]

03:19 PM on 11/03/2009

If you golf, you may as well wear a day-glow code-red rayon shirt emblazoned with : Waste Redundant Profiteer (Not working as usual). A sport? At least billiards doesn't suck up so much water (and always in places where the locals have none). I'm bullish on shame. Now THAT's a scarce commodity. Why don't you putzes all get together at the rodeo....clowns.

[swift goat pet for truth]

04:15 AM on 11/04/2009

Could you post a link as to where I could get one of those shirts?