MY GOLF LIFE

The Joys of Mixing Business with Birdies: My First Round with Fore Business at The Leatherhead Golf Club

November 8, 2024

Last week, I took a step into the world of Fore Business, a networking group that’s cleverly disguised as a golf club—or perhaps it’s a golf club cleverly disguised as a networking group! Either way, the concept is brilliant: you meet like-minded business professionals, share a round on the green, and, ideally, make meaningful connections that are as long-lasting as they are lucrative. What could be better? Golf, business, and banter, all in one.

Of course, I’ll be the first to admit, my golf game was far from stellar. My handicap sits comfortably around 18, but on that day, it felt more like 80. Every shot seemed to have a mind of its own, and I may have spent more time raking bunkers than admiring fairways. But despite my performance (or lack thereof), I found myself enjoying every single second at The Leatherhead Golf Club.

Golf as the Ultimate Icebreaker

One of the best things about Fore Business is the way golf brings down the formalities. When you’re out there on the course, you’re not just talking business—you’re bonding over errant shots, celebrating the occasional par, and cheering on a decent drive. There’s something about battling a tricky course that puts everyone on equal footing, regardless of their job title or industry. I found myself chatting about everything from swing tips to sales strategies, and it all felt surprisingly natural.

Golf gives you time to actually connect with people, which is rare in most traditional networking settings. Instead of the typical five-minute “here’s my business card” interaction, you’ve got a few hours to let conversations flow. Before I knew it, I was chatting with everyone from financial advisors to IT consultants, each of us equally enthused (and mildly frustrated) by our golf games.

The Leatherhead Golf Club: The Perfect Venue

As far as first venues go, The Leatherhead Golf Club was a real treat. It’s one of those courses that blends challenge with charm. The fairways weave through ancient woodland, and there are plenty of strategically placed bunkers and water hazards to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of course that makes you work for every shot, which was both humbling and exciting for a mid-handicapper like me. It wasn’t long before I realised just how well a demanding course like Leatherhead could bring out the competitive spirit in everyone, creating a bit of friendly rivalry—and laughter—among the group.

A Bad Round, but a Great Day

Now, I’d love to tell you that my scorecard was something to be proud of, but let’s just say it was a "learning experience." It didn’t matter, though. By the end of the day, I’d met some fantastic people, learned a few things about business (and about my own patience), and walked off the course with a smile on my face.

Joining Fore Business was, without a doubt, one of my better decisions. I’ve found a group that combines two of my biggest passions, and even on a day when my drives were shaky and my putts wouldn’t drop, I was left thinking, “I can’t wait to do this again.” Because for all the missed shots and duffed pitches, there’s nothing quite like golf to bring people together.

So, here’s to more rounds, better scores, and new connections. If you’re a golfer and a business enthusiast, I can’t recommend Fore Business highly enough. Just be prepared to leave your ego in the clubhouse—because business or not, golf has a funny way of keeping us all humble.