NotInterested profile picture
NotInterested profile picture

NotInterested

Business Development Manager

Catalyst
Executive
Valued Contributor
+5

Does Golfing Actually Help Close Deals?

Hey fam.


I worked a booth at a golf outing for my company yesterday which was a ton of fun. It was a great networking experience and I was able to meet a ton of new prospects. I'll be honest, I am a girl in my mid twenties and NOT good at golf. Do you think it's worth it for me to work on getting better at golf to take clients out? Seems like a great opportunity to network more, and close deals? Do you have to be good to take clients out? How does this work?


Don't roast me. Thxu.

😂 Sales Humor
📈 Closing
🤝 Networking
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45 comments

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
12
🦊
Here's a tip. Get one of the golf pros to join you out on the course. This way the client can have a competitive game, and you still get quality one on one time.
beerisforclosers
Politicker
3
Account Manager
THIS. So simple I'm kicking myself for having not thought of it. Great idea!!

Another mid-20's girl who is no good at golf :) 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Hontey no worries! This is why we are here 😉
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
Us women have to stick together!! 
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
This is a great idea. There are a few pros in my office I could ask to tag along... I mean, who can say no to golfing!? Genius, Fox!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Here to help fam 🦊
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
Damn! Never thought about getting a thirt party to golf with the client 😵
Slobonmyknob
Catalyst
5
Head of Sales Development Strategy & Enablement
I, too, am a girl in my mid-twenties not great at golf. However, I will say that I have taken clients out for golf and it has helped me form human relationships with them and, ultimately, I have closed business because of it. (And, yes, I was the worst at golf every single time.) This article may help:  https://www.cnbc.com/2014/04/11/tips-for-playing-golf-with-your-clientswall-streetcommentary.html
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
Thank you!! This is a great read. Especially the controlling your emotions part, as I am SUPER competitive and when I miss a shot I get rather upset. Lol 



I will have to hit the range and get a little better. I do have my own clubs and some cute outfits but that's really all I have going for me. 
Slobonmyknob
Catalyst
1
Head of Sales Development Strategy & Enablement
Yeah! Not sure if you have Top Golf where you are located but if you do, grab some friends on the weekend and have a fun night out and get some practice in! Win-win! (Also, maybe being the best golfer ever is actually a good thing- boosting egos by allowing others to dominate may actually be helpful in the end! lol)
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
I wish we had a Top Golf. I'm sure we will have one soon but I want to go there so bad!! 

And totally agree with you on that, but I also feel like the clientele I would be taking out (older well-established men) are impressed by women who can swing a club well. Not saying I have to be pro-status, but if I can at least hit it straight, that would be cool. Lol 
Chep
WR Officer
2
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Def worth learning. Even if you don't use it to close deals Golf is great exercise and an excuse to be outside!
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Good thinking!
Rupert_Pupkin
Contributor
2
Account Executive
I wouldn't worry about the ability as much as just knowing where you're supposed to be/other etiquette pieces. I actually used to be a golf pro at a small private club and the women who seemed to have the most success were good enough to get it around and hit some solid shots, but were very good at not being in the way, in the wrong place at the wrong time, slowing the group down, etc... That responsibility was usually left for the clients to take care of hahah. Also forming a good relationship with the people who work at the club you go to will be a good look for you in front of clients.
TheRealPezDog
Notable Contributor
2
Account Manager
Good for you for considering golf, it's the best fucking sport on the planet and I wish I could just golf all day and not work.  I personally have never tried to close a deal on the course but I mainly work inside sales, If I was an outside rep I would definitely give it a try.  

But here's a tip for getting good:  Learn the game backwards.  Starting with getting good at putting, then chipping, then pitch shots, then short iron, then long iron, then woods and finally driver.  
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Oooo that is a great idea. Ironically, I am decent at putting and irons.. Pretty terrible at driving. Lol 
salesislife
0
Senior Sales Director
This. But no one does it because it’s not as fun putting as it is to pound drivers. Coincidentally, this is how Tiger was taught.
Beasthouse
Opinionated
2
Corporate trainer
miiillliioons of dollars are closed monthly on the golf course. its not about what the rep wants its about the buyers journey they feel like their cutting the line or they are VIP priority. its a cheap environmental upgrade for the value... to be fair I hate It I'm not a walk around and fail repeatedly while getting drunker and hotter kinda guy but it sells

DFWSpartan2013
Opinionated
2
Presales Manager
This is an interesting topic and I paid for a class in college to learn more about "Closing Business on the golf course". 

There are a couple keys that have to be maintained during a golf game with a client and I as a younger rep even after taking this class failed a couple times. 

Controlling your anger at the game of golf is number one, anyone who has played good or bad knows that it is really easy to drop the F bomb on the course multiple times, and while this may be okay with clients who you have a great relationship with it can also make you seem like an immature individual. 

The second thing that is key is not trying to sell or make a sale on the actual course. Have you watched the Office? Remember when Jim tries to sell the entire round but doesn't get the sale until in the parking lot? It's like that. 

While it is important to build a relationship with the individual and start to break into their professional life it usually helps to start by doing your research about the client or prospect. What do they like, where did they go to college, etc. Small talk, to more personal, to business and then by the 19th hole it becomes more appropriate to being a soft close process and try and walk away with a score under 90 and a new client. Hope this helps!
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
This is really great advice.. and BONUS points for the Office reference. Love that show!! Thank you for the advice!! Much appreciated, fam 
sales7
Politicker
1
Commercial Product Enablement
I wouldn't worry too much about it, there are a lot of other ways to shmooze a client, if golf isn't your thing there's also a possibility it won't be theirs either. The more unique the experiences are more memorable anyway.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
What do you suggest?
sales7
Politicker
2
Commercial Product Enablement
without knowing the industry it's hard to say if anything is more relevant, but to name some things that I've used:
- tickets to sports games/ concerts
- dinners/ lunches
- day at the races
- we had one day out on a waterfront bar watching a sailing event which was epic
- industry events tickets / if your company is big enough to host their own
etc.
softwaresails
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
No I don't think so. But it just makes it more fun.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
I agree - I think it's time for me to take my clubs out and get some reps in! 
sellingsellssold
Politicker
1
SDR
Lots of people in my office take out their clients and find it very useful. I was wondering how competitive does it get? Is there a certain etiquette, are you supposed to let them win?
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Right, what if you absolutely kick your prospects ass.. Lol embarrassinggggg..
HappyGilmore
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I think it can help business, you don't necessarily have to the best at it but as long as you're willing to learn/get better and have fun with clients on the course, it'll be a good way to connect and have better opps to close business. 
eds
Opinionated
1
Salesy
Is golf the only sport your clients practice?
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
I'm not sure. What do you suggest? A 1v1 rugby match instead? 
Cornholio
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
Definitely helps build the relationship and gets you guys out having fun while you have their ear for a few hours. You won't need to be great, just don't get angry when you play poor- that is what will really ruin the time.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Do you suggest some booze? Lol 

Hudsonsmom
Opinionated
1
Area Sales Manager
Been in sales 10 years, have golfed one time with a client. I have male counterparts who do and they aren’t any better than me/have better relationships than I do with clients because of golf. I just have to find another way to relate to my clients.
Agenthercules
1
Team Lead, Business Development
Learn golf if you’d like to be better at golf! If you’re starting from a mentality of “impress to close” than you’re already on your back foot. Confidence and humility are truly the characteristics people want to work with. IMO. But also golf is the most mentally challenging game ever, it’s a great exercise on battling through :) just like sales. 
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
This is really good advice and something to always remember... You nailed it. Thank you. 
DoggoOfWar
1
Business Development Representative
My best prep fro AE is hitting the golf pitch as much as possible…
SammySandbags
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Drive for show, putt for dough
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
I think that's for the pros... Lol 
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Here's a tip. Get one of the golf pros to join you out on the course.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
I think you should start golfing if you like it. If it’s not your thing, don’t do it for business. 
Error32
Politicker
0
ISR
Your dog grows a better beard than I do
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
0
ISR
It’s how you know who is actually good at sales and who just says they are but doesn’t close anything. I can’t remember a time this didn’t happen
justatopproducer
Politicker
-1
VP OF SALES -US
No, I could argue the little free time i do have is better spent not shooting 105, with a twosome behind me asking if they can play through while the foursome in front of me hits 3 balls everytime its their turn to go. Lol, golf used to be fun
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Yikes, mate!! 
justatopproducer
Politicker
1
VP OF SALES -US
Lol, I don’t play anymore although the last time I did i was paired up with the new CFO of a fortune 500 company and got a meeting out of it. It could help I guess.

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