Golfing with Senior Management

[RandomHero1090]

I have played in some small time business golf outings, but nothing like I am going to experience on Friday.

I won a contest to be part of an “Elite Sales Conference” at our home office. Originally it was meetings and golf on this Friday. However, several “big-wigs” from our new company (we were recently bought) will now be coming and playing….

I have been put in the foursome with the CEO of our new company. Quoting my regional manager, “he wants to win at all times, so I figured I would give him the best golfer we got.” Word got around that I am “the man.” I got several emails already from other peers going on the trip. Go figure a 6 handicap would take you that far.

I am a bit nervous. My wrist, if anyone else read my post about Golfer’s Elbow, is still tender and does get pain in it when I play. But it hasn’t kept me from shooting 77 twice in a row now. I don’t even want to bring it up at this point as an excuse if I play bad.

We are playing a scramble, which is great. But there is a long drive award, closest to the pin, best team, WORST team, and MVP for their team.

What kind of tips can you give me to keep my cool and focus on making solid golf swings?

How do I handle the outing? Do I keep my mouth shut and offer NO advice OR do I drop some tips and try to impress?

What kind of attitude do you carry at these type of things? I like to win too, but I also want to have a good time and not seem like some ego manic that gets upset of a 36 handicap guy shanks a drive.

I want to make a good impression and I realize that golf outings like this are a great time for this to happen.

Thanks!

[slater170]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

I have played in some small time business golf outings, but nothing like I am going to experience on Friday.

I won a contest to be part of an “Elite Sales Conference” at our home office. Originally it was meetings and golf on this Friday. However, several “big-wigs” from our new company (we were recently bought) will now be coming and playing….

I have been put in the foursome with the CEO of our new company. Quoting my regional manager, “he wants to win at all times, so I figured I would give him the best golfer we got.” Word got around that I am “the man.” I got several emails already from other peers going on the trip. Go figure a 6 handicap would take you that far.

I am a bit nervous. My wrist, if anyone else read my post about Golfer’s Elbow, is still tender and does get pain in it when I play. But it hasn’t kept me from shooting 77 twice in a row now. I don’t even want to bring it up at this point as an excuse if I play bad.

We are playing a scramble, which is great. But there is a long drive award, closest to the pin, best team, WORST team, and MVP for their team.

What kind of tips can you give me to keep my cool and focus on making solid golf swings?

How do I handle the outing? Do I keep my mouth shut and offer NO advice OR do I drop some tips and try to impress?

What kind of attitude do you carry at these type of things? I like to win too, but I also want to have a good time and not seem like some ego manic that gets upset of a 36 handicap guy shanks a drive.

I want to make a good impression and I realize that golf outings like this are a great time for this to happen.

Thanks!

if it was me i would play my normal game let the others worry about their own swings and just behave like your normally do during a round of golf!
dropping tips and trying to impress may make you look like a butt kisser(no offence meant)

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

No offense taken I like to help others and it some times comes off as butt kissing.

Im thinking take the approach if someone asks for help or does the old "what am I doing wrong," then speak. You usually cannot correct someone's game on the course in a couple holes anyway

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

Up until a few years ago, I use to play in these type of golf events four or five times a year. I was one of those senior management types you are speaking of. My advice is to play your normal game, and help the senior guy in your group win your contest. If someone asked for advice on anything, give them your best, and honest answer. If someone wants to play for some money, if affordable agree to it, and take their money. Then buy beverages at the 19th hole with your winnings. If you lose, do so graciously. I can tell you alot of non-golf decisions are made during these types of golf shindigs. Offer your opinion if you think it is proper during any non-golf discussions. As far as the golfing goes, the players usually represent every type of golfer from the true blue hacker to the single digit types. Above all be honest in your game. I know of more than one senior VP, who were seen cheating, and no longer had a job with in a week or two. If you cheat at golf, you will cheat at work was the consensus. I spent 45 years with the same company, so I know a little bit about corporate golf. Now if your senior management people are business jerk offs, then just have a good time and try not to piss anyone off. GJS

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

I have never met any of the 3 other people in my foursome. I work with one of them via telephone everyday. So this oportunity to grow that relationship is huge.

There is talk of another step up for me. My current manager may be going to manage another site. I will be meeting ALL of the people who make those decisions.

So, after reading your post...

1) I cannot agree more about being gracious. I hate to loose, and I want that to be known, but I don't want to make it seem like I care about nothing else and will let a bad day of golf ruin this trip.

2) I cannot stand corporate jerk offs or a$$ kissers, however, I come off kiss a$$'ish. I like to help and I talk to everyone. I'm in sales I know up front I have to watch that.

Now, I got a question for you....

1) You mention cheating, which I cannot stand. What do I do if I see someone cheat or do something that goes against the rules of golf, EVEN IF its by accident? Especially if that person is a higher-up (like my new CEO).

2) I like to gamble, but when I gamble on the course, its small stakes stuff. Like closest to the pin for $1, stuff like that. Is that "acceptable" at these events to "spice" it up? Or is that a big no-no?

[ogallalabob]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

I would join in the theroy play your normal game, only give swing advice if asked. (a lot of times it just upsets those recieving advice. like you said you can't fix their problems in 1 round and it usually does not help on the course to try) now reading putts, choosing shots etc. is a diferent deal I think you really need to be honest as far as what shot is an easy up and down or if you have to use so many of each players tee shots how to fit the hackers shots in etc. Or your bound to lose.

Do your best and have fun. I would not stress over it too much. If the CEO does enough of these events he 1) considers them fun regardless and 2) realizes some times putts do not drop and you lose no big deal

Make a point to remember one or 2 good shots from one of the hackers your paired with and purpose him as MVP as the key shot of your teams round. Makes them feal good and useful when the best golfer says they helped. My guess is that those at the tourney know who the real MVP's of the foursomes are anyway.

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

As for seeing someone cheat, and letting them, or others know about it, tough question. As bad as it may sound, you need to remember to think in the grand scheme of things in the real world. This is a fun golf outing. My advice is to simply let some one else catch them, and the higher up the corporate ladder the better. Sometimes in corporate American, doing the right thing, can cause you grief that could have been avoided. Trust me, "Saint Hood", and business rarely collide with each other. It is dog eat dog, the pups looking for s****s, and the only thing that matters is the bottom line of the ROI.

As for a wager, let the higher up people make that decision, and go with the flow.

Now on a funny note. We had a CEO, who struggled at golf. Had the best, expensive, equipment, took lessons, the whole 9 yards. He could hit the ball, but was probably a 36+ handicap. His swing would make a train take a dirt road. It was bad. We were playing a 190+/- par 3, and he actually hit a decent shot, but no where near the pin. When we got to the green, we could not find his ball, till one of the other guys looked in the cup. There it was, a hole in one. His own marked ball. The guy was on cloud nine, and we heard about it for months. As it turned out someone in the group in front of us had got hold of one his golf balls, and placed it in the cup. Too this day , I don't think he ever figured out what took place. GJS

[edshaw]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

I would avoid betting at all costs.
Think about it; you have nothing
to gain and everything to lose.
Maintain your composure, paying
little or no attention to the breaches
of rules and etiquette that inevitably
occur in company outings, other than
perhaps a subtle acknowledgement
that you have observed, if any of
the big boys so solicits.
I really doubt any of the officers is
out to do battle with you, but, if one
appears to be, beat him or her
graciously and without mercy.
Acknowledge all participants equally,
regardless of ability. Demonstrate
your social skills in such a way as
the company would be pleased to
have you represent them in the
bigger picture, being polite to
caddies, waitresses, and officers,
alike. Have one drink, make it
a tall gin and tonic light, and
screw the H out of there. If they
are looking for drinking buddies
you're not their man.
Make no excuses. If the CEO
is a win at all costs player,
it'll help if you play well. Draw
the line at being a lapdog
for an egoist or a stud service
his wife.

[chessbum]

Re: Golfing with Senior Management

To Quote Shakespeare:


"To thine own self be true"

Let that be your guiding light....

Chessbum...