Learn To Play Golf

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I participated in a work-related panel yesterday - a bunch of summer interns are coming in, and I was thrown up there (as a current intern type) to talk about my experiences. And, of course, the need to network came up. In the midst of this discussion, I was talking about previous co-op / intern panel I participated in, where this guy (doing IT work) said that his one line of advice is, "Learn to play golf." That is, y'know, do what your bosses do to get in their good graces away from the work place and get some out-of-office schmooze time.

Me, the Computer Science major, I was like HOLD ON A SECOND THERE STUD. Yeah, meeting people and all that is great and a key necessity, but to do something specifically for the purpose of giving yourself a leg-up on the competition seems like a bullshit backasswards MERIT-FREE way of doing things. Of course, this viewpoint is totally naive, and the fact that, post-panel, the Golf Guy got more facetime from prospective co-ops than I did says everything that needs to be said on this topic.

And, um, yeah.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Did he learn to play with Dorf?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

I've got a buddy who works in the very corporate world, and he says that if he didn't play golf, he'd likely to be at least $10K poorer every year. His company even sends him to other states just to schmooze with clients by taking them to a nice golf course and a steakhouse afterward.

I tell him that it sounds pretty cush to me, but his response is that he has to hang around a bunch of assholes all day and be nice to them.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:46 (twenty years ago)

My (gay, not interested in sports) uncle grew up with his dad force-feeding him sports knowledge for the same reason ("you'll never make it unless" etc.). Of course he became quite the successful businessman without every playing a game of golf as an adult, mostly to spite my grandfather I think.

― Jordan (Jordan), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

I agree with Mr. Golf. Being able to play doesn't necessarily give you the advantage, it just gives you the face-time needed to present your case and claim the advantage based on skillz0rs/ideaz0rs.

I miss playing as much as I used to.

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:51 (twenty years ago)

I am so glad that I work for a company that doesn't do (and possibly forbids) things like "golf outings" with customers.

― Jordan (Jordan), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:53 (twenty years ago)

Golf is such a great word, there needs to me another meaning to it.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 16:59 (twenty years ago)

"golf outings" also known as "sales meetings".

― Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 18:06 (twenty years ago)

I love golf but I hate driving ranges.

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

"learn to play golf" is the "try glasgow more" for the corporate set.

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

"don't let the golf put you off!"

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 18:20 (twenty years ago)

FWIW, the Golf Dude also regaled the eager expectant crowd of would-be corporate cogs w/ stories of being sent to Tennessee (on the company dime) and living it up like Hype Williams was key grip.

I loathe golf, mostly because I'd caddy for my pop while he'd shank every damn ball he hit. And then he'd toss his clubs every which way. I also suck at golf, which is partly why I don't like it. I'd turn corporate golf outings into Caddyshack II.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 7 June 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

Oh god - I just got an e-mail because I've been bailing on these dorky in-company seminars and field trips, for the sake of ACTUALLY GETTING MY JOB DONE. These things are set up for the summer interns, who are here for all of 10 weeks; I've been working here since January, and have a few more responsibilties than the brahs and brahettes from Penn State. Don't try telling the intern co-ordinator that, tho - according to her, I shd be participating in every single summer intern event (which are put on just about EVERY SINGLE DAY), since "these people took the time out of their schedule to blah blah blah," as if I don't have other things I'm working on that actually affect other people and, if left undone, keep them from doing THEIR work. I hope that reminding her of my responsibilities will get her off my back, but given the rash of nonsense she's giving another person in my situation, I don't think so. Oh - and this "lack of cooperation" might affect my chances of getting hired full-time oh no. Briar patch, here I come!

And did I mention the Networking Project where I have to meet w/ 4 people, ask them 10 questions, write up synopses on each meet-up, and then give a 10-minute presentation about What I Learned From Getting Bombarded With Corp-Speak and Doubletalk For 30 Minutes.

― Logged In, But Not Caring (popshots75`), Friday, 29 July 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

my swing has gotten better i think, but my putting really lets me down sometimes (something that i thought was going to be my strong point before I started to play).

Psychology definitely has a lot to play in the putting though. Sometimes I get a bit anxious and that's when they don't go anywhere near.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 29 July 2005 15:10 (twenty years ago)

and i've only been about 4 times, and only mini-golf places. Would like to go on a driving range one day though (I want to see how far I can hit one of those fuckers)

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 29 July 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

My swing is disastrous with long irons and woods. I play a 5-iron off the tee on par 5 holes because I have zero faith that anything longer will go remotely in the right direction.

Ken, I'd be happy to go to a range with you, and a full bag of clubs.

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 29 July 2005 15:52 (twenty years ago)

cool mark! do you know of any good ones around? (my flatmate might be interested too.. we have some clubs at home as well that we can also bring)

I really like the idea of twatting balls really hard for an hour or what have you.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 29 July 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

and yes, i picked up a 1½ wood club the other day, fuck, the size of it! the living room wasn't really bit enough for me to practice.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 29 July 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

My drive is akin to skipping a flat stone across a still pond.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Friday, 29 July 2005 16:23 (twenty years ago)

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