Networking on the Golf Course

On September 20, the Garland Chamber of Commerce will welcome 200 golf players to participate in the 35^th Annual Golf Tournament at Firewheel Golf Park! With so many opportunities for networking, sponsors and volunteers will take the time to make connections on the course. Here are a few tips on how to network on the golf course.

1. Build relationships.The golf course is not for business, it is for building relationships. Needing some topics to discuss with your team? Use the following questions to spice up your conversations:
1. How long have you been in business / How long have you been with (COMPANY)?
2. How long have you participated in the Garland Chamber golf tournament?
3. How has the Garland Chamber helped your business?
4. I saw you at (PAST EVENT) but didn’t get a chance to introduce myself.
5. What was your motivation to start your business / What motivated you to join your (COMPANY)?
6. What did you do before?
7. What brought you to the DFW area?
8. Any good shows I should be watching?
9. Give a sincere compliment – clothes, shoes, golf clubs, bags, etc.
   Remember to make an impression. Out of sight is out of mind, and out of mind is out of business.
   
   
2. Do not do business on the course. We cannot stress this enough. The individuals playing are there to have fun and make connections. Business can be done over coffee at Rosalind Coffee or a Starbucks, but not on the course. Use this time to get to know your fellow teammates. For those of you who came in at a Platinum Sponsorship, you have the help of the Garland Chamber in creating your team.  Don’t let this opportunity go to waste.

 3. Know the rules of the game. Is this your first-time playing golf in a tournament and don’t want to embarrass yourself? Follow the links below to know how to play the game and be up to date with rules.

• https://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/beginners
• https://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/golf-dictionary-glossary-and-golf-terms
  
  

4. Stay until the end. After being on the course for 4 hours, you might want to go home, but please stay. At 1:30 p.m., everyone will meet at the Pavilion for lunch. You played with three other people all day, but you have 196 more people to meet! Lunch is a great opportunity. But remember tip #1, people come to make connections and relationships.

5. Follow up. Follow up is just as important as knowing the rules of the game. At the beginning of the last round, hand out your business cards and ask for cards. The following Monday, you can follow up, set up coffee meetings, and continue to build on your relationships.