When you think of African Americans in sports, golf probably doesn’t come to mind unless you’re talking about Tiger Woods. Our absence at the professional level has impacted our access and interest in the sport altogether. In fact, it wasn’t until I entered Corporate America that I considered golf an integral and vital tool in my personal and professional development. As I was busting my butt to move up the corporate ladder, I hit a patch where I was working my assets off and my work wasn’t making an impact on my reputation in the company, or my access to executives who could give me more visible projects. Not only was I just another rat in the rat race, I found out that no one had even bothered to learn my name. My colleagues referred to me as “the black girl in marketing”. I have a very easy name, with a traditional spelling, why didn’t anyone know it?
Why were the young, white male interns getting more visible assignments than a salaried employee with incredible work ethic and 10 years experience in the field? The answer was simple; the young interns played golf. When anyone in management decided the weather was nice enough to play golf, anyone who could play left the office to hang out on the golf course with management. The golfers were able to spend 4-5 hours developing a more personal relationship with the people who could vouch for their character and place them on central project teams while I was stuck at the office working. After I figured out how powerful a golf club is, I purchased a cheap set of clubs (still have the bag today) and took lessons. It took a while before I was confident enough in my ability to join the boys on the golf course, but eventually I did. How my life changed after I learned to play golf after that first golf outing with the fellas, my stock went up.
Management started asking me to represent the company at golf tournaments where I was able to network with other professionals in my industry. I was selected for the company’s leadership development program where I was being groomed for a leadership position in the company. Socially, I was able to expand my network to people I would not otherwise have spent time with, by being able to accept an invitation to play golf. 4 More Reasons you should learn to play golf Golf is a sport you can play for a lifetime. The age of the participants has no bearing on ability, which allows you to golf with an unlimited spectrum of business colleagues or potential clients. Thanks to the handicap system, people of widely differing abilities can compete against each other. This makes the game more fun. You only spend a small portion of a four-hour game actually hitting the ball, so there is plenty of time to talk shop. This is not true of other sports. Golf is a great test of character. Golf rewards players who remain calm under pressure, never lose their temper and think strategically. These are all virtues in business, too.
The culture of golf is one of scrupulous honesty. It is easy to cheat: you can move your ball to a nicer lie when no one is watching, but it is frowned upon to do so.
According to the PGA (Professional Golf Association) 90% of executives view golf with a business associate as a way to establish a close relationship and build new contacts
50% say there is no better way to get to know fellow associates and clients.
45% say prospective clients are more likely to give you their business if you golf together. With all the benefits of golf, it is still a very serious financial investment.
Golf equipment, clothes, and greens fees can get expensive. Not to mention the time commitment; plan on spending at least 2 hours per week at the driving range working mechanics of your swing, then 4.5 hours it will take to play 18 holes. This is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards will be limitless. Watch blackgirlsgolf.net for tips and deals that will help make golf more fun, accessible and affordable.
See you on the links.
