You're in Good Company-The Average Woman Golfer Is Forty-Two Years Old And Plays Eighteen Rounds Per Year

Golf for business women is becoming a necessary part of some women's tools for increasing business success

If you think you're the only one out on the course trying to hit that little white golf ball, you don't need to worry. Noted trend analyst Faith Popcorn, in her latest book EVEolution (Hyperion, New York), proclaims women are catching on to what men have known for years. She notes, "The fastest growing group of golfers is women. . . . Businesswomen are using the game as businessmen did before them--for networking, for entertaining clients, and for making business deals right on the links."

According to the National Golf Foundation, out of the nearly 27 million golfers in the United States, women account for about 6 million--more than half say they use the game as a business tool. And more than 1.2 million women started playing in 2000. The women playing aren't country club wives any longer, but are working women. Since 1990, the participation of working women in the game has grown by 26 percent, which is twice the rate of non-working women.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the average woman golfer is forty-two years old and plays eighteen rounds per year.

Golf for business women is becoming an important factor for women who want to increase their success in business. Of those working women who play golf, 40 percent hold managerial, professional or administrative positions. We learned from the Golf Digest survey reviewed in the New York Times that there is a correlation between low-handicap male golfer CEOs and the success of their companies. A correlation also applies to women who golf and their incomes, which might be a motivator for you to learn how to play. The better the golfer, the higher her income--the mean income for women with handicaps of 10 or less was $146,900, whereas the median household income for an average female golfer is $68,265. Don't be discouraged if you don't become a 10 handicapper, however, since the national average handicap for a woman is 24. You learn in Chapter 3 what a handicap is, how to get one, and why you should do so.

Going to the Golf Course

Playing business golf offers a beautiful setting that is conducive to developing and deepening business relationships. You'll have the time to learn information and characteristics about each other that you might otherwise never have known. I hope the FREEDOM benefits have persuaded you that playing business golf is worth your time.

The fear that you must be athletic to play golf should be more manageable now given the feedback from two of the top fifty women golf instructors. Although you may look foolish sometimes while playing golf, if you're willing to share in some self-deprecating humor, playing can have its rewards.

If you've decided playing golf for business purposes isn't right for you, or that one of the "That's All False!" Objections is still true for you, I appreciate you taking the time to explore whether you want to make an investment in learning and playing golf. I wish you much success in your professional career and personal life, but do also consider that maybe you should at least learn the language of golf so that you can join in the Monday morning conversations about the weekend's pro golf tournaments. Or, if you know a colleague, client, or friend that would benefit from this book, then pass it on.

However, if you're eager to learn how to play and are anxious to enjoy the advantages of doing so, then I look forward to taking you on a journey into the world of playing business golf. I explain the basics of the game first so you'll feel comfortable with the language, the customs, and your surroundings. I show you the finer points of playing business golf, how to create successful business golf rounds, and how you can play with anyone, regardless of your handicap.

Staying on Course

If you have objections to playing golf, besides the "That's All False!" Objections, think of benefits to offset your concerns.

Use the FREEDOM benefits to remind yourself that playing golf for business purposes and fun is worth an investment of your time.

If you think of yourself as unathletic, forget that limiting belief once you begin to hit the golf ball consistently. With a commitment to quality golf equipment, instruction and practice, you can learn to play consistently and respectably.

You may feel foolish trying to hit the ball, but remember that it's more important to learn how to handle yourself on the golf course (golf etiquette) like an experienced golfer.

Use golf as a diagnostic business tool to evaluate prospects, colleagues, and clients--and yourself!

--From On Course for Business: Women and Golf, by Suzanne Woo. ©

About Suzanne Woo and BizGolf Dynamics