Golf and the Game of Business sample

GOLF AND THE GAME OF BUSINESS: GOLF ETIQUETTE FOR CORPORATE USE What to know for corporate golf outing, client relationship building and how it relates to the game of business.

Cynthia R. Grosso Founder of The Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette

PO Box 41113, Charleston, SC 29418 www.CharlestonSchoolofProtocol.com 843.207.1025

Golf Etiquette for Corporate Use ISBN: 978-0-9767841-1-1 Copyright Š 2005 by Cynthia R. Grosso, Protocol Publishing, a division of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by Cynthia R. Grosso Protocol Publishing Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc. P.O. Box 41113 Charleston, SC 29418 (843) 207-1025 cgrosso@charlestonschoolofprotocol.com Notice: This is an e-book licensed to the original purchaser only. Distribution or duplication of this book via email, print, compact disk, or in any other form to anyone else is a violation of copyright law and violators are subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

Illustrations by Nicole Seitz of Bounce Designs

About Cynthia R. Grosso Cynthia R. Grosso is a corporate etiquette expert. She has been a speaker, teacher and consultant in this arena for more than 15 years. She is the founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette. Prior to her current business, she owned a prominent international modeling and finishing school.

In addition to being an award winning speaker and a business columnist, Ms. Grosso has appeared as an etiquette expert on the Dr. Phil Show, Oprah, Faking It and Perfect Proposal reality shows on TLC. She has been written about in Woman’s Day Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine, The New York Times, Esquire Magazine, BusinessWeek Magazine, Golf Digest, Working Woman Magazine, Women’s World Magazine as well as many others. She has been published well over 100 times and is the author of an audio book and several e-books. She is the host of Your Manners Matter radio show.

Ms. Grosso is the author of the Professional Savvy Series, an on-line learning program for Professional Table Manners that is the only one of its kind in the world. This program won the bronze medal in the world for excellence in Elearning.

Ms. Grosso’s credentials include certification from the Protocol School of Washington. Ms. Grosso is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Business Administration. She is an award winning adjunct professor of business etiquette and protocol at several local colleges.

Ms. Grosso is active in professional and civic organizations and in 1999 received the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” award given by the Chamber of Commerce in her area. She has also received the Outstanding Young American Award for outstanding community service given by the United States Jaycees.

Ms. Grosso focuses on the critical ten percent...“the polish”, needed for business people to compete and grow in the corporate environment.

She speaks to people on an individual, group or corporate level.

Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc P.O. Box 41113 • Charleston, SC 29423 CharlestonSchoolofProtocol.com • cgrosso@charlestonschoolofprotocol.com FAX: (843) 207-1024 • Telephone (843) 207-1025

Online Training Program for Dining In today’s society, with all the hectic schedules, eating together as a family is often not possible. This causes a problem—many of us have not learned the social graces of dining, which can make us feel self-conscious in certain situations. Even in today's relaxed corporate environment, poor manners are never looked upon favorably. People do notice. This course will enable you to be more confident, and to handle yourself with confidence, style and world class.

The “Professional Table Manners” online training won the Bronze medal for excellence in online learning from the worldwide Brandon-hall 2004 Excellence in Learning Awards.

TraCorp, the custom content developer, chose to submit the course based on its all-around strengths in instructional design, assessment, interactivity, motivation, and aesthetics. For more information on the Excellence in Learning Awards, please visit www.brandonhall.com/public/awards2004.

Topics include: • Entering and exiting the table • Proper sitting • Understanding the place setting • Napkin etiquette • The silent code of service • How to dine American and Continental style • The do’s and don’ts of dining • Finger bowls • And much more Visit www.charlestonschoolofprotocol.com/onlinetraining.asp for more information.

Professional Table Manners is a course in the Professional Savvy Series.

The normal cost of the course is $99.00, but as a purchaser of this e-book you can purchase the Entire Online Training Course For Only $49.00 That is $50.00 off!

More about the course: • Interactive course with a “Final test” • Handouts available for download from Web site • Corporate discounts available • No pre-requisites Yeah, but why this course versus a book or a video?

This course is not a book or streaming video. It is a state of the art, interactive course that has audio and visual that speaks directly to you....with talking text, click and drag, question and action, actual setting of the place setting. Unlike a video that you just watch, or a book you just read, this is a course that involves participation from you....as you learn more by doing than by watching. It is an achievement, because it is a course that you pass with a final test. You also receive a certificate that is suitable for framing.

To register, email me at Cgrosso@charlestonschoolofprotocol.com and I will send you a coupon code for the discounted price. Visit the following link for more information on the course www.charlestonschoolofprotocol.com and click the Success Store.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction……………………………………………………………1 Rules vs. Etiquette of the Game……………………………………….2 Golf and the Game of Business………………………………………..3 Pre-game Strategies for the Host………………………………………4 Look the Part…………………………………………………………..7 Who pays…………………………………………………………...….9 The First Tee……………………………………………….………….10 The Tee Box……………………………………………….….….……11 In the Fairway…………………………………………….……….…..12 Dropping the ball…………………………………….……….……….14 The Sand Trap………………………………………….……….……..15 The Rough/Hazards…………………………………….……….……..16 On the Green………………………………………………….……….17 Tending the Flag……………………………………………….………19 The Golf Cart………………………………………………….……….20 Conversation………………………………………………….………..21 Smoking and Drinking and General Conduct………………….………23 The 19th Hole…………………………………………………..……….25 In Summary…………………………………………………….………26 Credits…………………………………………………………………..27 Additional Resources……………………………………………………28 Web Sites……………………………………………….…………….28 Books…………………………………………………………………28

GOLF AND THE GAME OF BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION As golf was originally conceived as a “Gentlemen’s game,” it is the one sport where your behavior is sometimes judged more than your final score. No other sport places greater emphasis on the conduct of its participants. Manners, courtesy and respect are at the heart of the game.

Golf is a game played with civility, sportsmanship and ethics.

As a matter of fact, our conduct on the golf course more times than not, relates to our conduct in business.

It directly correlates to how honest we are, as there is no referee, so if you cheat, what is this really saying about how you do business?

The only limitations on the golf course, as in business, are our abilities and the conditions we are playing/operating in.

Golf and the Game of Business is a concise, ready reference for Corporate America.

© 2005 Charleston School of Protocol & Etiquette

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GOLF AND THE GAME OF BUSINESS

RULES VS. ETIQUETTE OF THE GAME According to the USGA, there are 34 rules of the game. Many people feel the rules, however, apply only to the pros and tournament play. Players sometimes confuse knowing the rules with knowing the etiquette of the game. They are not the same.

A breach of etiquette many times, does not break the rules of the game.

Familiarization with the rules of golf and the etiquette of the game will enhance your image, your company image and your enjoyment of the game.

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GOLF AND THE GAME OF BUSINESS

GOLF AND THE GAME OF BUSINESS It is said that 90 percent of CEOs all over the world play golf.

The business of golf is conducted all over the world in the most exotic places, which is conducive to a relaxed environment for pleasure and business. Here in America, today more than ever, a lot of business is done outside the office and the golf course is one of those places.

More people than ever are taking up the game, and what many do not understand is that business golf is not directly about the score. It is a business tool used to network, build relationships and friendships. Whether it is a business deal, a team building exercise or an interview, corporations many times use golf as a means to find out about you, outside of the office environment.

Your integrity on the course directly relates to your integrity in business.

Believing that your manners and actions on the golf course are an accurate indication of your behavior and attitude in the office, a company courting you will often get the information they need by being aware and analyzing your actions.

Things like: Are you respectful of other people and property?

How well do you use your time?

Are you prepared?

Do you think ahead?

Are you punctual?

Do you look the part?

How do you react under pressure?

How do you act when you are frustrated?

Are you humble or do you have a big ego?

How competitive are you?

How trustworthy are you?

How much of team player are you?

Are you a team player, intelligent enough to know the rules and conduct yourself well enough to play the on their team‌their business team, that is.

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PRE-GAME STRATEGIES FOR THE HOST If you are the host, you choose the course.

Just like planning any corporate event, try to make your guests comfortable by putting together a foursome with similar golf abilities and temperaments.

As the business host, you are expected to pay for greens fees, caddies or golf carts including tips for services, for your guests.

Arrive earlier than your guests, this may be an hour or so prior to tee time.

If your game is cancelled, be sure to call the golf course and cancel your tee time.

Business Lesson - As in hosting any social function on a business level, it is the etiquette of the host to try to make sure guests have an enjoyable time.

- Being there to welcome and network with your guests is important.

© 2005 Charleston School of Protocol & Etiquette

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THE TEE BOX

One person at time on the tee box.

Do not stand behind the person teeing off (in the line of the ball when hit) Remember to take your tee peg with you as you leave the tee box Do not take practice swings toward another person. Not only is it impolite, but it can be harmful.

Business Lesson Proper tee box behavior shows: - You are respectful of others’ space and position.

- You do not expect others to take care of your responsibilities.

© 2005 Charleston School of Protocol & Etiquette

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THE ROUGH/HAZARDS Being in the rough or a hazard area is not fun; However, we still have to abide by the rules of the rough.

Although the rules state you have 5 minutes to find a lost ball, it is suggested to take just 2-3 minutes.

When a lost ball is in question, hit a provisional ball incase the first ball is not found. This will speed up play.

Business Lesson - Not taking too much time searching for your mistake shows that you are aware of others, can recover quickly and are not too focused on yourself.

© 2005 Charleston School of Protocol & Etiquette

GOLF AND THE GAME OF BUSINESS

IN SUMMARY The primary rules of golf etiquette are based on integrity meaning; play the course as you find it, leave the course as you found it, and always treat other players and yourself with respect.

Not knowing the etiquette of the game can cause you to embarrass yourself and your company. Becoming familiar with the etiquette of the game is as important as learning the golf swing.

Do not fool yourself by thinking that people do not notice how you present yourself. Just because they may not say anything, does not mean they do not notice. Your lack of manners on the golf course speaks negatively about your social skills and how you respect others.

Business is a game of mutual respect, integrity and relationships. Do not let a lack of manners be your handicap on the golf course or in business.

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