Business in Full Swing

The new season at Augusta National begins this month. The home of the Masters admitted two female members for the first time in its 80-year history, this year.

Golf and networking?

Many top executives swear by it.

Eighty percent of global company CEO’s agree playing golf is a good way to make new business contacts, according to Management Golf Training Open statistics.

It could make forming a business bond with male clients more accessible.

This survey says 58 percent of men are encouraging when a woman plays a good golf game.

“Golf is a wonderful relationship building skill,” says Jan Alligood, executive director of the Women’s Golf Network. Before she played, Alligood felt excluded from business opportunities. She started taking lessons, and put herself in the position to develop real relationships with business partners.

Alligood tells Little PINK Book how her friend made this work. “She played 18 holes with a client, and later that day closed the biggest deal in her entire career.”

Golf Tips For Women offers advice ranging from what to wear to how to buy golf clubs. Women on Course is for social golfers, with events and networking opportunities aplenty.

Not only does golf enrich your career, but there are the mental and physical benefits too.

Walking 18 holes of golf is equal to taking a five-mile walk or running close to four miles.

“It’s a great way to focus on something very different than the nuts and bolts of work,” says Alligood. A good bit of exercise if you walk the course, golf gives you the chance to get outside with friends, relieve stress and have fun.

Bonus PINK Link:  Along with golf, here’s another success secret: failure!

Minute Mentor: Former CNN EVP and best-selling author, Gail Evans, discusses golf and networking.

Do you play golf? Has it helped you in business?

By Louise Cook

“I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity.”
Oprah Winfrey