Golf Travel and Work - How do you do it?

[tglinsk]

I'm currently a college student with deep interests in travelling for golf but I obviously understand the limitations that work will place on my ability to play all of the desirable courses in a few years. I plan on kicking off my serious travel with a trip to the Isles after graduating but have no idea what the future will hold beyond that.

 

So for those of you that work in business, or finance in particular, how do you manage to play so much while still performing at your best at work?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

1: Dont have kids

2: Find a job that has a generous vacation time offering

3: Find a job with flex schedules like 4 10 hour days or 3 12's, or work an alternate shift like early morning to mid day 5am to 1pm or mid day 2pm - 10pm etc to give yourself a block of time during the day when you can squeeze in a round.

[priceless]

In business, more deals are developed at the 19th hole than in any board room. For most of my professional life, my club membership was a company perk. Quite often it is important that have meetings where the walls don't have ears. Also, it was required that my continuing education be documented. Seminars and professional association conferences are held at venues with great golf courses.

[chickenpotpie]

Anymore, work is becoming more mobile and flexible, meaning that the traditional 5-day, 8 hours a day work week is becoming less relevant. There are days I work 12-16 hours (particularly when traveling) but then I make up for this by taking time off (not vacation) elsewhere. The trick is planning.

 

As an example, I once had a business trip to Silicon Valley, and decided I would use that opportunity to play Pebble. Booked it all, and had it setup....only to have a medical issue 2 weeks prior that prevented me from going. Darn it!! My next goal is to work in a trip to Scotland or Ireland on my next trip to Europe, but that takes a little more effort.

 

Family and kids will interfere with this, particularly when the kids are younger.

[MtlJeff]

Having kids will impact golf more than work.

 

Even if your schedule is not super flexible, you can join a course close by to your work/house and play twilight. I play 70 rounds a year in Montreal and work pretty normal hours. I play a couple of Rounds a week at 5pm

[Argonne69]

A compressed schedule can definitely make things easier, but one can still manage quite a few trips working 5 days a week. I take 7 to 9 trips a year where I play ~40 rounds. The key is to wisely use your vacation and personal days to extend holiday weekends. I usually take Thursday and Friday off each holiday, making a 5 day weekend. With a late flight on Wednesday, I can play two rounds a day for 4 days.

 

I take a full week during the summer for an extended golf trip. I'll be heading to California this Saturday for 6 days, and 9 or 10 rounds.

 

So, assuming you start with 2 weeks of vacation, you should be able to make a 4 day weekend for MLK Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, and still have time for a week during the summer. Any personal days would allow you to extend each weekend.

[golfandfishing]

In business, more deals are developed at the 19th hole than in any board room. For most of my professional life, my club membership was a company perk. Quite often it is important that have meetings where the walls don't have ears. Also, it was required that my continuing education be documented. Seminars and professional association conferences are held at venues with great golf courses.

 

This is how it is done. ^^^^^^

 

One of the biggest issues in hiring and onboarding new hires fresh out of college though is they expect positions like this immediately.

[ETgolf]

Try to work for a smaller company that has leadership that treats people like adults. As has been stated, with the ability to connect from anywhere, companies are becoming more flexible with work hours. At my company if you are getting your work done and contributing above and beyond, people dont much care where and when it is being done. Allows for more freedom as it relates to golf