Golf: Building skills beyond the game
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EmailYouth can learn golf as a hobby, for networking and career building.
Could you imagine building a career skill from golf? Other than being a professional golfer and playing on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour or Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) Tour, golf can be a benefit for a person’s career through networking or meeting for business.
According to the Vault article, “Networking Through Hobbies and Social Activities,” golf is one of the best hobbies for networking. First, what is networking? In the Business Dictionary, networking is creating a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit. Getting into golf can create a way for you to make the connections needed to know people in different careers that can allow you to get a job or build a partnership with people in other companies or organizations.
Golf also provides an opportunity to learn how to create a network. For example, consider these tips to connect with other golfers for networking from Striker Golf GPS:
- Build a foursome outing (invite three other people on a golf outing with you that can include a colleague, customer and sales prospect).
- Sign up for charity tournaments.
- Show up at a local course by yourself and be paired up with a group.
Golf is another way to meet and discuss business matters. Playing the game as a meeting provides a more relaxed setting to meet.
If you are interested in playing golf for its networking benefits, learn the game by taking lessons, joining a youth league, or if it is available at your high school, play on the high school golf team. To get the greatest impact, take classes that will assist you in learning about networking and business.
Get involved and take the steps to learn the sport of golf and use it for your career.
To learn about the positive impact of Michigan State University Extension’s 4-H career preparation, money management and entrepreneurship programs, read the 2015 Impact Report: “Preparing Michigan Youth for Future Careers and Employment.”
