One of my very first dates growing up in a small town in Illinois was to play GOLF...putt-putt golf that is. But, hey, for a small town of barely 5,000 people, having a Putt-Putt course complete with a Windmill and the BIG mouth of a Clown.... was something spectacular. The "resort" was called The Seven Fingers....perched just out of town on the highway. It had a motel, a swimming pool with a High Dive, a lovely restaurant and bar (where we had our wedding reception)....and the Putt-Putt course.
You really get to know someone when you are playing Golf! That's why so many people do business on the golf course! Why? Because it's a place where, one, you can escape the phones, iPads, iPods, interruptions, etc. , etc. and just FOCUS! Focus on driving a small white ball down the fairway and into the cup. Sure, you can play Golf anytime, just by yourself, but, taking a person with you....whether it be a date, or a friend, a family member, or a Business Associate is quite eye opening.
What do you learn? Plenty....about the other person. You learn a lot about a person's character. Character was explained to me a long time ago as being based on a person's integrity. Integrity has always been defined as "doing what you say you will do"....and doing the right thing when no one is looking. But, character is more than just having integrity. Character is based on being trustworthy, having courage to go down YOUR path when everyone else is running the other direction, doing the ethical thing at all times, and always following The Golden Rule. Character is that voice inside you....your moral compass, that guides you when life gets a little stormy, and the seas get rough. You reach down deep inside you....and there it is....Your Character!
So what does this have to do with the Golf Course? Well....just think about how much time you get to spend with that person....watching their shots, talking about the game, observing how they handle pressure, listening to their stories, and taking a good look at their attitude! Think about it, if you were going to hire someone....wouldn't it be great to know all these things, before they joined your company? Sure, there are plenty of personality and behavior assessments out their...I used to interpret them for one of my employers, but, there's nothing like watching a person handle a Game of Golf....they're in the moment, it's an experience, their Amygdala is hijacked! When you're playing Golf...it's you, your clubs, and the Ball.....your only Goal is to Score....low! Having other people there is just icing on the cake.
I've known lots of people that take their clients, prospective employers, and business deals out on the Course to close. There's something relaxing and yet invigorating about packing up your clubs, putting on your shoes, lathering yourself up in suntan lotion, and finding your sleeve of balls for the day, that just puts you in a completely different mindset. It doesn't matter what crisis you've left at the office or at home....it's now time for GOLF! It's time be with your buddies, your business associate, your spouse, your date and just have fun. Sure, every drive won't be perfect, but the ones that are....well there's nothing like knowing that you've hit the Drive of the Day....Sweeeet.
Think about it. After four hours you know a lot! First off, you know you may need a little bit more practice on your short game. But, just as important, you know if you want to spend more time with this person. You know if this is the person you want to work in your company, you know if this is the person that you can trust to carry out your business transaction, you know if this is someone you may want to have another "date" with!
I love getting to know someone on the Golf Course! You can find out how they behave in difficult circumstances, if they are respectful of others or Chatty Kathy's, if they can hit a bad shot, forget it and move on, and if they have a sense of humor....which you really need if you play golf! I really have known people to throw their clubs, heck one person I took out to play a round of golf threw his whole set of clubs in the Lake....then, later, told his son to go get them! Jerk! I also know someone that bent his $400 Driver after he hit a pour shot....it wasn't the Driver's fault! See what I mean....you learn a lot about the person you're playing golf with. Oh sure, I've also seen people move their ball for a better lie, miscount their shots, double swing, etc. It's all very telling. Every round is different, every shot is different, the course doesn't necessarily change...you do. How you handle a game of golf really does indicate how you handle the game of life! At least I think so.
Anytime you have the need to get to know another person a little better...or maybe you just want to have a nice four hours, uninterrupted by phones, emails, and other annoyances, go play GOLF... and take someone with you. Enjoy your round!
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