Playing golf with your boss or even your coworkers can be intimidating at times. The best way to have a successful golf outing with your coworkers is to prepare for it. Learn about the small things and practice ahead of the round.
Here are some ways to prepare for the round:
If you are not a golfer and want to get into that coveted foursome with your clients, then get proactive about it. Go take a lesson, read about the rules of golf online, watch videos and ask questions. Golf etiquette is EXTREMELY important, so learn that as well. Make sure you rake each bunker you are in, fix divots on the green and fill divots in the fairway with sand and seed.
Most business people are not the best golfers, so don’t worry about having to shoot even par every time out. Just make sure you can get through a round of 18 holes without having to pick your ball up on every hole.
Make sure you find some clothes that look good and are also functional for the golf course. Don't wear your cotton polo and khaki shorts to the course. Pick up some sort of sweat wicking fabric that will keep you cool on the course. One thing to note is that golf shoes nowadays are not the same as they used to be. Today's golf shoes are more comfortable and mostly look like tennis shoes you would see on the street.
Figure out what course you are playing and do a little bit of research on it. Check out the scorecard and see what you will be getting yourself into. Don't forget to Google the course to find out if there are any reviews from other people who have played there before.
Every golf outing is made better by playing some sort of game to get the competitive juices flowing. Check out such formats as best ball or stableford so you can impress your coworkers with the knowledge of the game. You can even ask if they want to put some money on it ahead of time. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, a $5 or $10 bet would be fine.
Whether you are a beginner or a scratch golfer, you can always use a little bit of extra practice. If you have a certain date set ahead of time, call up the local golf course and see if you can get in a lesson to sharpen up your game. Often times fixing the basic fundamentals of your swing can save you a handful of strokes every round.
Talk to your coworkers about their golf game in the office. Ask them how often they play and see if they can offer any tips for you. You might even be able to head out for a quick nine after work with one of your coworkers to see how they play.
Golf is all about having fun and you have to remember to let loose. If you are playing with your boss, then you probably have to be pretty formal. However, when you are with coworkers you can enjoy yourself and even have a drink or two.