They can range from the reasonable to the stratospheric. The design engineer had always regarded golf as a bit of an old folks' sport, but he saw the outing in the Scottish town of Kircaldy as a good chance to get some fresh air and spend time with his brother. Two years later, Mr. McMillan is making weekly practice trips to the driving range, taking lessons, and hoping to break 100 soon on one of his golf vacations. It's too expensive and time-consuming for that. Even those who, like Mr. McMillan, have fallen under the thrall of golf admit that it's time-intensive, expensive and frustrating.
Converts say they like the fresh air, relaxation and chance to make business contacts.
They are also making major investments in clubs, clothing, lessons and spiralling green fees. One strategy for beating the high cost is to get your company to pick up the tab. Richard Groome, president of Groome Capital Inc., said a significant amount of business shifts to the golf course in summer, but the notion that financial mavens spend many long afternoons whacking the ball around is a myth. Most executives make the trip only for their most highly-valued business contacts. Unfortunately, finding four or five hours is very tough.