By Scott Robbins
Every business starts with a plan. Every business evaluates the plan on a regular basis to make any and all adjustments to improve during the next period. Every business has short, intermediate and long term goals. Every business utilizes sources to meet their goals. Every business commits to the plan and executes the plan through the year.
Golf is no different. Witness: PGA Tour player, 1944. This player evaluated his 1944 season and determined that he had too many careless shots and poor chipping during the year. During the winter months this player worked his plan to get better. Starting with the Miami Four-Ball, this player won 11 tournaments in a row, 18 overall in 1945. Mr. Byron Nelson then met his goal to make enough money to buy the ranch he lived and died on in Roanoke, Texas.
We can all learn a lot from Mr. Nelson. Among the great attributes he had as a gentleman, the way he approached improving his game and situation are lessons anyone can use. So ask yourself some simple questions. What did I do well? What can I improve? How do I approach doing it differently? These are three questions that you can use to evaluate and plan for the coming year in your golf game.
First, about your own game. Are you satisfied with the improvement you showed this past year? If not, what can you do during the winter months to make next golf season easier, better and more fun? Seek out your golf experts. Conditioning -look to an expert in exercise, nutrition and health directly related to golf but that will also help the rest of your life. Secondly – seek an expert in the game, a PGA Professional proficient in teaching the techniques and playing of the game. And finally – commit to your plan and your regimen to get better.
Next, about how you use golf in your business. Golf continues to prove itself as a dynamic tool to build teamwork, cement relationships and improve customer contact and sales. Did you play enough golf with clients? With your workforce as a reward for jobs well done? Were you a gracious and great golf host? Use the winter to map out and schedule golf events you want to involve yourself, your company and your clients in for next year. Commit to look for unique and different ways to entertain your clients through golf. Where else do you get anywhere from three to eight hours with your clients during a day?
Learn from an all-time record holder. Byron Nelson's streak of 11 wins in a row will probably never be beat. And it all started with an evaluation and a plan. What will you do better to use golf to make next year your record year in your business?
