Networking on the golf course is far from a cliche, and while business deals don’t usually get struck on golf courses like in movies, they are a great way to know the people you’re doing business with on a personal level. They could eventually become valuable contacts for you or even lifetime friends, but your efforts could backfire just as easily. This is why you need to have a solid plan before you play with a business contact if you intend to network. Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to improve your results.

Go in with the Right Intentions

First of all, your goal should never be to rush a deal. You should focus on knowing the person first. This is a great time to study them and look at how they act on the course. You might be able to pick up on some information you’ll be able to use. You might also find out that this isn’t somebody you can trust or that you mesh with. Try to forget that this is business-related, but still maintain a certain decorum. Having genuine fun with them is what will bring you closer together and make closing deals much easier later on.

If You Can’t Get There on Time, Come Early

Making your guest wait is one of the worst things you can do. Calculate how long it will take for you to get to the club at the specific time needed and add one hour to that. You can always go to the clubhouse if you don’t feel like waiting in the parking lot for other players to come.

Shake Hands Early and Remember Names

You should extend your hand and greet everyone the minute you see them. You will next have to find a way to remember everyone’s name. One trick you could use is to offer to keep score for the round. This will allow you to have everyone’s name right in front of you the whole time.

Come Fully Equipped

If playing golf is something you do often with clients, we would suggest that you get yourself a nice golf cart. They will be impressed by your level of preparation, and this will allow you to score points right off the bat. You also never know if the course you’ll be playing at will have carts available, and having to play without a cart could put a serious damper on your game.

This is why you should start looking at a few carts and learn how to maintain them. One of the most important components of a golf cart is the battery, and you will need to keep it in perfect condition to prevent accidents or shutdowns. If you want to learn how to pick and maintain them, this post explains everything you need to know about golf cart batteries.

Always Keep Your Temper

You will need to watch your temper when playing. You can rest assured that the person you’ll be playing with will pay special attention to your every move if they’re serious about doing business with you, and anger is never a good sign. You also need to be honest and not too competitive. It could even be a good idea to pull back on your game if you notice that they’re not quite at your level. You want the game to be fun for them first if your goal is to get on their good side.

Choose the Proper Course

It’s also a good idea to get to know what other people’s level is beforehand so you can pick the proper course for everyone. You should pick a course that’s scenic and close to nature if possible. This is the type of atmosphere that will foster in-depth conversations which is exactly what you want during these types of games.

These are all tips that you can use to get the most out of your game/networking event. Remember to stay professional, work a bit on your game before you go, and have all the equipment needed to have a great time.