The majority of my life, I have been passionate about my work and business. I am a capable, smart, results-focused individual. I have been all my life. Tell me what the goal is, what you need done and with little or no direction - I thrive. I love a challenge and I get results, even when a project doesn’t go the way it was planned, I find a way to succeed and perhaps more importantly, I learn from the challenges that were posed. I am a problem solver, this is what I love about engineering - there are always opportunities to solve new challenges.
I became passionate about golf. So, why should you, women in a particular, play golf? As an engineer, working in a predominately male business world, I used to wonder, why should I golf? Why should I take time and learn to play? What do other (predominantly male) engineers, managers, directors, and executives get out of it? Is there an advantage for taking up this game that I may be missing? Golf is a game that can be frustrating to learn and at first seems boring. It’s not really a team sport like softball, volleyball, or even bowling. All of which I played in college and early in my career as an engineer or what we'll call my 20's.
In my 30's and early 40's, I was part of planning conferences, strategic initiatives, and other programs that took excessive amounts of time, energy, and work. As a reward, we were invited to golf with various executives within the company and/or customers. I usually 'begged off' and didn’t go because I was afraid. Me, afraid? Hard to believe to those who know me, but at that point I had never really golfed before. At least, not seriously. I had played a few rounds or participated in “scramble” events here and there with the “guys”. I was the only female in the field of 30 to 50+ men. However, I knew the guys on my team, very well. And, they didn’t really expect much, nor did they get any help from me except to drive the golf cart. No way was I going to play golf with a bunch of men that I didn’t know that were "movers and shakers" in our business or so-called serious golfers (at least in my mind).
Enter my late 40's. It was time to take up a new challenge, a new sport. As a reward for 2 grueling years studying to earn my executive MBA, I treated myself to group golf lessons through UT- Austin's informal classes. And let me tell you, I have never been so frustrated in my life. It is hard to hit that little white ball off the little white tee, let alone hit off the the ground when out on the course. But I kept at it, completing a 6- week series that met once a week on a driving range. Surprisingly, after the first couple of lessons, I was having fun! I was outdoors in the sunshine and it was a blast - especially when you connect and hit the ball straight. It helped that my classmates were at a similar playing level as I was. We learned some golf skills, not just how to swing a club, but how to walk and talk the game (a little bit) when you are on the course. And thus, I was hooked. I started to play with a few beginner golfers I met and learned just enough to be dangerous.
Next, I looked for and joined a women’s golf association. Here, I met a bunch of talented and successful women from all types of professional backgrounds from women who run their own businesses like realtors, building contractors, and financial advisers to scientists, psychologists, web designers, software developers, project managers and even a retired judge and a CEO. It was these women that taught me most of what I now know about the game - golf etiquette, course management, playing to your strengths, and last but not least, how to have fun!
Last year as part of Emerson's Women in STEM, program, I led a short tutorial about golf which included these tips.
6 Reasons Why Golf Is Great for Women in Business
1. It helps your career – Networking, networking, networking. According to a Barron’s survey, 80% of golfers believe it is an important business development tool. People do business with people they know. And there is nothing like getting to know someone when you are on the course. Golf is a fine test of character. The culture of golf is one of respect and honesty. How a person handles themselves during the ups and downs of what can sometimes be a very frustrating game, can be telling.
2. It gets you outside - Fresh air, sunshine (almost year round here in Texas) and introduces you to all kinds of beautiful and interesting locations (see photos I've included in this blog).
3. It counts as exercise - The average golfer is said to burn around 1,500 calories per 18 holes of golf. Personally I do about 10,000 to 15,000 + steps when I golf 18 holes.
4. It’s a social activity – and not just for business. Friends and family can enjoy the game. Players of all abilities can compete - this is the beauty of golfing's Handicap System.
5. You can do it anywhere – there are 35,000 courses globally!
6. And last, but not least, the fashion is fun!
Today, I am an avid golfer. To date, I have played golf in Ireland, California, Florida, Colorado, Wisconsin, and of course, Texas. I have gone places on vacation I never would have gone - simply to play golf. I've seen beautiful courses and played where the pro's play (Torrey Pines, Whistling Straights, Pebble Beach, Innisbrook, Ballybunion, and Lahinch to name a few).
I now play with the men in the business world - with engineers, managers, executives, and customers. Movers and shakers or anyone that even suggests they want to play. When asked, I not only play but I "show up". I am not the best golfer (i.e lowest handicap) but I can get around the course. I will not slow a group’s game down, which is a big deal to most golfers and I always have fun. If you want to know more about the game of golf, want to get started in the game, or ever want to play a round, please contact this passionate golfer.
Thanks for this, Laurie Ben! I should print the 6 Reasons above and hang it on my office. Golf is intimidating but you have to start somewhere, right? Thanks for sharing your experience and for the encouragement.