The boss wants you to plan golf day of his club-fitting dreams, an experience clients will be gushing about for years to come, an event he will be proud to put his name on. If you’re not an avid golfer yourself, where do you start?
For expert tips, we turn to Sarah Stirk, BBC sports presenter and managing director of luxury golf service Xclusive Golf. She warns that PAs “may spend a huge amount of time trying to organise a golf day for their boss and, actually, if they don’t know it, it’s easy to make mistakes with golf because it can be quite complicated”.
Choose the right golf course
Whether you’ve got one of the top courses in mind or are happy to play somewhere more accessible, choosing the wrong golf course will not impress your guests. Make sure that the course you choose is not too busy. Some courses are better equipped to handle large groups.
You also need to consider the course’s level of difficulty. A tricky course may leave less experienced golfers frustrated. “It’s the worse thing for busy guys if they’re out on the course for five or six hours,” says Sarah.“ Everyone’s having a nightmare because the course is too difficult.” At the same time, advanced golfers won’t be impressed with a course that is below their level.
Time the day carefully
The key to planning a corporate golf dream is to get the timing right. Sarah says: “One of my biggest criticisms of golf days is that often they drag on. We’re all busy and you want to play golf and socialise and network. A well-timed golf day is crucial.”
Realistically plan how long each portion of your day will take and aim for an early start, beginning with breakfast and ending with lunch rather than allowing time on the course to consume the day, particular if members of the group are likely to have evening engagements.
Consider the format
The format you select also affects the running of your golf day. Sarah advises that you choose Stableford scoring rather than a medal round. You could consider a two-tee start if the group is tackling a large field. Competitions and prizes can also spice up the format.
Dare to be different
“Golf days need to be special because there are so many and a lot of these guys get invited to so many of them,” says Sarah. As an added attraction, you might consider getting a pro to run a golf clinic or to host a lunch.
It’s also worth being creative with goodie bags since mementos can become physical reminders of how exciting or tiresome a golf day was. Sarah notes that she often leaves golf events with a men’s XL polo shirt because the organiser didn't work out that lady golfers might be present. You might consider getting a clothing company like Q’Aja, worn by Phil Mickelson, to fit your guests for bespoke outfits or ordering shoes for the group in correct sizes, complete with each person’s initials.
Ideally, you need to start planning your golf day from January. With the Christmas rush out of your mind and the Masters in April, start getting sorted for the year ahead because popular courses are booked quickly and, of course, you want to nab the best deals.
Photo courtesy Lu
