Pope says golf provides a pleasant climate for people to get to know one another better as they tackle a common challenge. A friendly golf game can provide a much more effective vehicle for relationship-building than the office environment. One aspect which sets golf apart from other participatory sports such as tennis or racquetball is the time between shots. The camaraderie which derives from walking together down the fairway, or riding the golf cart together and conversing, is unique.
Golf also can reveal character and personality traits in a person.
If someone gets very upset or throws a club when he or she misses a putt, or seems to give up on the round because of one bad hole, it tells you something about their makeup. The ability to play golf well can be a real asset to a person who works in the corporate structure. Golf can really open some doors. Someone who knows and observes the sport's etiquette often carries that over to the way they carry themselves in business surroundings. In a broader sense, corporations find golf is good for business beyond enhancing individual relationships.