Good Guys Finish...

How did you complete that heading? The commonly said phrase is "Good guys finish last."

I hate that phrase!

I don't know who first said it or its background, but Phil proved it's just not true at The Open and since then. I've never seen a caddie cry because the pro he's looping for just shot the round of his life to win the coveted Claret Jug. Bones did that for Phil before the end of the final round.

I've also never seen a champion sign autographs before being awarded the trophy. Phil did that at The Open. The British fans didn't care he was an American. They treated him like he was one of their own because they appreciated his great play.

Finally I've never seen a champion bring his trophy to his club manufacturer's business to share in the victory. Phil did that with an impromptu visit to Callaway's headquarters so every employee could touch the Claret Jug.

I've been disappointed fan of Phil's because of some of his antics... like his drive on the final hole of  the infamous US Open to lose it. Or his attempt to get on in two at the 18th of Pebble that he wasn't able to pull off. But this victory at The Open was sweet for his fans and for all of golf.

He proved that saying wrong and showed instead that it should be "Good guys finish first!"

Here's to hoping you finish first in every way with your clients and prospects!

To your success,
Suzanne Woo
ROI Golf Strategist

Follow The Open

The third Major is being played at the historic Muirfield in Scotland.

Story lines include playing at an all male membership club, how will Rory play (not well today), whether Tiger can win his 15th Major finally, the challenging links golf course, and can the leader hold on for four days.

Here are the ESPN tv times in ET:

Thursday, July 18 -- 4 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday, July 19 -- 4 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, July 20 -- 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 21 -- 6 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

If you're in the US, you can watch the coverage and then play 18 with a client or prospect.

Enjoy!

To your success,
Suzanne
ROI Golf Strategist

P.S. Even if you're not playing, invite a client or prospect interested in the Open to watch it over some drinks
or a meal.

7 Lessons from the Fourth of July

This post won't be about business golf, but something much more important...

The birthday of our of our country is on Thursday. I unfortunately live in a city that celebrates WorldOne
Festival that day... whatever that is.

Horsesmouth sent a reprint of  its "7 Lessons from the Fourth." In case you didn't receive it or missed it, I wanted to make sure you see it.

Better yet, I suggest you read it, send it to your clients and prospects, and others that you know.

This is your link to the "7 Lessons from the Fourth":
http://bit.ly/11e3faL

I hope you can squeeze a round of golf in on the Fourth as we
celebrate this great country.

Radio interview for you, especially if you're a financial advisor

I haven't written in a while. A family member's illness took my full attention and energy. Things have improved, and I wanted to share with you the latest in golf.

First, the USGA did ban anchor putting officially. So if you putt like Adam Scott, you might want to start practicing a new stroke by January 1, 2016, which is hen the new rule becomes effective. You can still use a long putter and putt like Matt Kuchar though.

Second, I want to share my radio interview, Using Business Golf  to Grow Your Business. Sean Bailey,
Editor in Chief of Horsesmouth, and I talked golf last week. If you're a member, click onto this link:

http://www.horsesmouth.com/hm.asp?ID=87333

If you're not a member of Horsesmouth, you can sign up for a free trial membership and check it out!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Think You're Not Athletic Enough to Play Golf?

I often hear from audience members at my presentations that they're not athletic enough to play golf. I share a secret with them that golf isn't about brute strength for most of us recreational players. I even talk about how some wounded soldiers who are now amputees can play. And if they can do it, then all of us with our two arms and legs can certainly play.

Then I saw this video of Nick Vujicic, and I'll need to change my answer. Warning: If you're not religious or an atheist, then you might want to mute the sound because this man thanks God for his life and spirit. He's an incredible man!

Sergio v. Tiger

If you follow golf, then you know that there is a war of words between Sergio, Tiger, and now even the marshals at The Players.

Sergio accuses Tiger of pulling a club when Sergio was in the middle of his swing causing fans to cheer. That disturbed Sergio, who hit a bad shot and now blames it on Tiger's poor sportsmanship.

I saw Sergio's shot live, but it didn't show where Tiger was in relation to Sergio. Apparently he was 50 yards away. Tiger thought Sergio had already hit and supposedly asked a marshal.

Now the marshals are in the controversy. Did they or did they not tell Tiger that Sergio hit, etc.?

I want to scream, "Children, stop, sit down, and be quiet!"

First, Sergio should have just talked to Tiger about Tiger's supposed rudeness. He didn't have to air what happened to the media and try to get sympathy. Sergio likes to play victim. Remember his comments after the Masters two years ago that he wasn't good enough to compete any longer?

Second, if Sergio was disturbed by the cheer, he should have stopped his swing midway. Tiger didn't blame the dragonfly on 14 that interrupted his swing. He stopped midway and then swung again. His shot then went into the lake, but we don't hear him complaining about the dragonfly.

Finally, Sergio needs to take responsibility for his bad shot. This isn't the first time I've seen a crowd cheer in the middle of a player's swing. Although the crowd may be on another hole, Tiger was half a football field away.

I try to like Sergio, but he needs to grow up. I've seen him spit in a golf hole, break a television camera, and now whine about Tiger. It didn't surprise me that he dumped two shots in the water at 17. He won't win a Major until he matures and stops being the victim. He doesn't need a swing coach. He needs a therapist.

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer

I'm sure you've heard that saying and may be using "enemy" is too strong of a word. Possibly it's a client you're having issues with or a competing FA.

Numbers 1 and 2 in the golf world, Rory McIlory and Tiger, respectively, kept their enemies close last week.

After both were eliminated in Round 1 of Match Play, they played two rounds together at Tiger's course. Tiger says they're friends, and they also fierce competitors.

But I'm sure each learned about the other and developed a comfort zone with the other. I suspect that will make each play better the next time they meet in a tournament.

Do the same with your problem client or fellow competitor-FA... play a round and talk about how you might work together better, or develop some sort of unofficial partnership.

Four to five hours together during a round will relax both of you and give you a chance to figure out how to work together more efficiently and effectively.

This weekend we may see Tiger and Rory playing together in the Honda Classic.

Thursday: Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m. ET

Friday: Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m. ET

Saturday: Golf Channel, 1-3; NBC, 3-6 p.m. ET

Sunday: Golf Channel, 1-3; NBC, 3-6 p.m. ET

Accenture Match Play Starts Today

Most PGA Tour tournaments start on Thursday. And most are stroke play instead of match play.

Although it's Wednesday, the Accenture Match Play tournament starts today.

In case you don't know the difference... in stroke play, the lowest total strokes determines the winner. In contrast, in match play, the winner is the golfer who wins the most holes played. So a high score on one hole isn't the end of that player's tournament. He just lost that hole.

The leaderboard shows who is up, down, or whether the match is all square. If you see a player's name and 3 and 6, that means that player is leading by 3 with six holes to play.

Playing a match play format is different than stroke play. You should try it if you get a chance.

Here are the T.V. times for the tourney:

Weds, 2/20 - First Round
Golf Channel -- Noon to 6 p.m. ET

Thurs, 2/21 - Second Round
Golf Channel -- 1 to 6 p.m. ET

Fri, 2/22 - Third Round
Golf Channel -- 2 to 6 p.m. ET

Sat, 2/23 - Quarterfinals
Golf Channel -- Noon to 2 p.m. ET
NBC -- 2 to 6 p.m. ET

Sun, 2/22 - Final 4, Championship
& Consolation Matches
Golf Channel -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
NBC -- 2 to 6 p.m. ET

Enjoy!

To your success,
Suzanne
ROI Golf Strategist

P.S. It's not too late to start using golf as part of your business repertoire. Let's talk to get you on course for success!

Kangaroos Take Over The Australian Open

When playing at a course that I suspect has snakes, alligators, or any other critter that can cause me pain, I will announce to my playing partners that I'm not looking for lost balls. Sorry, but it's just not worth a golf ball or even a penalty stroke.

Now I'll add kangaroos if I'm playing in Australia. I've visited Australia, but didn't play on that trip. I've seen them and they're cute. We were also warned though that they'll attack if frightened. Australian-native Karrie Webb of the LPGA tour knew what to do, which was patiently wait for the kangaroos to leave the hole.

FAs, Why You Should Play Golf for Business

This weekend is the Northern Trust Open. This tournament is played at the famed Riveria Country Club.  

The top 10 wealth manager, Northern Trust, has made a decision to invest in golfers. They've spent millions for the title sponsorship and t.v. advertisements during the tournament.

Northern Trust is obviously looking to attract the higher-than average net worth golfers as clients for their wealth management services. If you're not playing golf to gain new clients, why aren't you? Why miss having target-rich golfers as clients?

Here's the schedule to watch the tourney:

Times are ET.

Thursday: GOLF -- 3-6 p.m.

Friday: GOLF -- 3-6 p.m.

Saturday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m., CBS -- 3-6 p.m.

Sunday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m. , CBS -- 3-6 p.m.

Enjoy!

How Not to Behave with Clients or Friends

Sergio Garcia was a rising star when he started playing in his late teens. His challenge of Tiger at Medinah and that shot from the tree put him on everyone’s radar.

But in the last few years, he’s on our radars not because of his great play, but because of his bad behavior. Spitting in the hole at Augusta National, of all places, destroying a TV microphone, and other incidents of bad behavior for any golfer, but worse when it comes from a pro.

Here’s his latest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvpYlyc8PFg

Think Golf Is Too Quiet and Stodgy?

Golf has a reputation of being uptight and stiff.

Fans aren't screaming before the pros take their swings and aren't waving their arms to block their shots.

That all changes this weekend at the Waste Management Phoenix Open...

The 16th hole is the best tailgate party in golf. The most monetized one, too. There are 177 skyboxes surrounding the 16th... the most of any of the tournaments.

Fans harass and boo the pros at will. When Tiger got an ace there, the place rocked.

If you can watch TV coverage of at least the 16th hole, do so! Your clients and prospects who love golf will be talking about it.

Here's the TV schedule:

Thursday: GOLF -- 3-7 p.m. ET

Friday: GOLF -- 3-7 p.m. ET

Saturday: GOLF -- 1-3p.m. ET, NBC -- 3-6 p.m.

Sunday: GOLF -- 1-3p.m. ET, NBC -- 3-6 p.m.

The 16th hole action will get you ready for the Super Bowl.

Enjoy!

P.S. WARNING! This weekend's 16th is an anomaly in golf. Don't try this with your clients, prospects, and COIs.

Be a Rose and Balls Up!

Professional golfer Justin Rose called a one-stroke penalty on himself yesterday in Qatar. He addressed the ball on the green and the ball moved slightly. He saw it move, although no one else did.

I appreciate his honesty and would prefer to work with someone like him. Your clients and prospects probably feel the same way. I coached a single-digit golfer and FA. I reminded him to follow the Rules, especially since he's a good golfer. His playing partners will likely presume he knows the Rules because he's an accomplished golfer.

When he hit two balls consecutively out of bounds and had to walk back to the tee box after looking for the ball, he got a multi-million dollar client. His client later said when he saw him apply the Rules and took his bad shots so well, he knew he wanted to work with him. That's using the Rules to your advantage!

Phil and Tiger are on the course at Torrey Pines! Here's the TV schedule:

Thursday: GOLF -- 3-7 p.m., 7:30-11 p.m. ET
Friday: GOLF -- 3-7 p.m. ET, 7:30-11 p.m. ET
Saturday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 - 11 p.m. ET
CBS -- 3-6 p.m.
Sunday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m. ET, 7 - 12 a.m. ET
CBS -- 3-6:30 p.m.

Enjoy the golf!

Who Is the Smartest Player on PGA Tour?

During the first PGA Tour tournament, an announcer shared that
PGA Pro Joe Ogilvie passed the Series 7 exam when he was
recuperating from an injury last year.

I figured he was preparing for his life after being a tour golfer. Given
the Pro-Ams that he plays, I'm sure he saw how golfers at that level
are wealthier than the average investor, so he wanted to become
their financial advisor when he retired from the Tour.

But he has much bigger plans than that. He's been one of the
player-advisors to the PGA Tour. He wants to become the heir to current
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. And in 2007, he launched an
investment firm with $20 million in assets.

His fellow Tour professionals consider him the smartest guy on the Tour.
Check out this article on him:
http://bit.ly/W484fq

Hope you plan to include golf in your marketing this year! I suspect
keeping in contact with your clients, prospects, and COIs this year will be
even more important as the economy continues to make news.

PGA Tour Season Tees Off Today!

It finally happened... the 2013 PGA Tour opened today.

The guys will play 36 today and then a final 18-holes tomorrow to determine the champion of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

I'm looking forward to this season. Lots of fun match ups and I hope exciting Majors to come. Enjoy golf on Monday and Tuesday!

PGA Tour Season Opener 3.0

Mother Nature decided to cause havoc with the PGA Tour season opener in supposedly sunny Hawaii. For the last two days, they've had howling winds and rain. Balls moving on the green because of the strong winds just won't work.

So today's the opening day of the season. They'll play two rounds of 18 holes and tomorrow is the final round.

Good luck, gents!

Wishing You A Business Golf Success-Filled Year!

Hope you had a great holiday season! Today is the start of the PGA Tour's season as 30 winners from last year compete in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. If you're surrounded by snow, seeing the sunshine on TV might be a nice change for you.

If you're planning to travel to some sunshine soon, here's an article about traveling with your clubs:
http://bit.ly/YYOd1v

If you plan to play more than two rounds, you probably want your clubs with you. The club rental fees at  $50-75 per round will get old fast. And there's nothing like playing with your own sticks.

Enjoy!