Acing your next corporate golf tournament
19 tips for making your company's trip to the golf course a success
by Michael Ganley
You’re heading out for a round of golf with clients or business associates. Maybe it’s the company golf tournament; maybe it’s just a one-off. Either way, the thought can bring thrill and dread in equal measure. It’s in the middle of summer, yes, and you’ll be spending a few hours outside in a beautiful landscape. If nothing else, it’s a lot better than being stuck in the office. But it also has the potential to be a frustrating event for everyone involved if it’s not approached with the correct mindset. Corporate tournaments can be slower than a trip to the passport office, thanks to the neophytes in the group in front of you spending more time in the woods than on the fairways. Then there’s that guy in your foursome talking during your backswing, and the one behind you driving too soon such that his (rare) shot in the fairway does a flyby of your skull. And for beginners, there is the added stress of playing a game that can prove to be more embarrassing than a summer-camp wedgie. With that in mind, here are a few tips to make the round a pleasure for everyone at the event.
For the Hosts
1. Get to the course early – really early. Corporate tournaments involve up to 144 people (two foursomes on each hole) starting play all at once. It’s hard on the organizers and the course staff to ready this many players at once, so get there early to help meet and greet.
2. Steer clear of talking shop. Get some of it out of the way before the round, if possible. After all, it’s more about building relationships out there than striking deals. Focus on enjoying the day, the course and the golf, and leave the business for the nineteenth hole.
3. Have a sleeve of golf balls (preferably corporate-branded) to hand out to those in your group. If you’re playing with beginners, bring more.
4. Offer to let others in your group make the decisions, such as which ball to use in a scramble.
5. Always help others look for lost balls but be aware of the time limit.
6. Be prepared to buy a round when the beer cart comes by, but don’t overindulge. There’s nothing worse than an over-lubricated playing partner wildly swinging a 3-iron about his head.
For the Veterans
7. Remember, it’s all for fun. It’s more about making contacts than making contact. You can always head out on the weekend with your regular buddies to sate your competitive nature.
8. At the same time, feel free to give gentle reminders to less-experienced players if they fail to rake a trap or replace a divot. Explain the rationale behind these courtesies.
9. Lay off the good athlete who isn’t a good golfer. Just because he almost made the NHL or can dunk doesn’t mean he’s going to carry your foursome to the trophy. The guy’s ego is taking a big enough hit without you reminding him of his limitations.
10. Don’t sweat the pace. You know heading in that a corporate event is going to be a slow round, so don’t brag about the four-hour rounds you regularly enjoy at your club.
For the Rookies
11. Golf attire should be kept conservative. Khakis and a tucked-in polo shirt are a safe bet. Many courses frown on jeans, and some on shorts.
12. Accept that golf has rules of etiquette and try not to infringe upon them too often. They aren’t just there to kill your buzz – instead, they’re about creating an environment in which players are safe, the course is treated with respect and everyone moves at a steady pace. Pay attention to how more-experienced golfers comport themselves, and when in doubt about something, just ask one of them.
13. It won’t kill you to learn a few of the simpler unwritten rules, as well. For instance, don’t talk while someone is lining up a shot (and certainly not while they’re swinging the club), don’t hit until you’re sure the group ahead is out of range, don’t walk on someone’s putting line and keep your golf cart on the designated paths.
14. Be prepared to lose a few balls, and don’t spend more than a minute or two looking for one. This relates to pace of play.
15. Learn the basic rules of the game you’ll be playing. At a corporate tournament, it will likely be a scramble format in which all four players on the team hit, then move to the best of those shots for their next turn (picking up the other balls along the way) and repeat the process until the ball’s in the cup. Generally, you’ll have to use a certain number of drives (the shot from the tee) from each player on the team.
For the Men
16. Don’t patronize the women in your group (this goes for off the course, too). They’re not going to want extra mulligans or effusive encouragement.
17. When at the ladies’ tee, get out of the cart to show some support. There’s nothing worse than three guys sitting in the carts impatiently waiting for the lone female in the group to hit.
For Everyone
18. For a corporate tournament, there will be a charity involved. Give generously, lest you offend the golf gods.
19. Keep your head down and slow your backswing.
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