The Executive Golf Course and Improving My Sales

I enjoy playing golf. I started playing the local Par 3 course with my Dad when I was 12 or 13 years old. Neither of us were any good. We only played once or twice a month but it was time spent together. As I grew older we started playing a regular 18 hole public course. We still weren't any good, but it was always fun.

Then life happened. Work. Bills. Marriage. School. Children. Responsibility. 2nd job. More Bills.

Golf became a distant memory.

Even though I wanted to play golf, it never was enough of a priority to justify the cost:

golf clubs, golf balls, golf shoes, golf glove, golf tees, etc

time to practice, time to go to the course, time to play 18 holes, time to have a cooling beverage, etc

not being at work, not being at home, not being with my family, etc.

February 2006 came along. I was only working 1 job with more free time than I ever had before. I had come to a truce with the bills. The kids were almost independent and self sufficient . I received a bonus from work and decided the time was right for golf to make a dramatic return to my life.

I invested in a 4 week beginner package of lessons from a local driving range. I bought a new set of golf clubs. I spent time going to the practice range to improve my swing. I was going to play golf multiple times that spring & summer.

Then came the rain. It was too wet to play. Then came a job change. Then came life again. I only played about 4 times that year.

I played golf even less in 2007. What happened to the dramatic return of golf in my life?

This year I was determined to figure out a way to play. It is so difficult for me to justify taking the time to go play.

I found a solution. There are a couple of 9 hole courses available in my area. This is a perfect solution for me. I can play 9 holes in about 2 hours. I can walk the course & carry my clubs to give me some exercise. I can play before I go to work, or I can take an extended lunch, or I can play a quick 9 holes after work before going home. The green fee is much cheaper. There isn't a cart fee. I lose fewer golf ball. Bottom line is a much lower cost of time, money, & energy.

I'm not playing every week but clearly much more than I have in the past. I'm enjoying playing golf. I'm getting more exercise. A nice benefit is I'm getting better at golf.

I'm not bragging because I'm not that good. But my friends are making comments that I'm hitting the ball better than I was 3 months ago. They have also noticed that I am more consistent than I used to be. In other words, I have fewer holes that I completely blow it.

Here are somethings I have learned:

1. Learning proper technique from the beginning gives you an advantage.
2. Practicing proper technique makes you better.
3. Playing the game regularly makes you better.
4. Playing 9 holes twice a month is better than playing 18 holes twice a year.

Here are a few things that might help you in your business:

• Learn "best practices" and understand why they are "best practices"
• Practice your sales skills - your phone technique, your home presentation, your marketing strategy presentation, your "Open House" dialogue, (add in here other aspects of being a realtor)
• Practice these skills at least every week. Even if you are good, you still need to practice
• Review what you said or did after every interaction with a prospect or client or 3rd party.

One last thing for you workaholics like me - take a little time for something fun and enjoyable.

Rick Trowe and I'm Standing Up