RESEARCH: It's all about golf when it comes to networking

Today, the Diversity Council of Australia has highlighted some research out of the US which reveals what many have long suspected – that when it comes to women in leadership the golf course can play an important part. Read on to learn more...

"It is generally accepted that valuable networking takes place on the golf course. Indeed, a 2006 survey conducted for Golf Digest magazine found that 71% of Fortune 1000 chief executive officers reported doing business with someone they met on the golf course. To the extent that women do not participate, take separate golf carts, or tee off at a far distance from men, because the starting tees are placed too far from the men’s tees, women may be left out of valuable conversations, and business as well as career opportunities.

This research shows that golf is a networking barrier for women in professions that require networking for career success. Researchers examined the impact of men’s and women’s starting tee box placements on women’s networking abilities. They assumed that tee boxes that were situated close together promoted communication on the golf course and tee boxes that were far apart inhibited it. Data from approximately 500 golf courses in the USA, along with data on workforce representation and salaries were analysed. The researchers found that the greater the distance between men’s and women’s tees, the lower the salaries and participation rate of women. Their study shows that whilst networking occurs in “homosocial” environments such as golf courses, women will be disadvantaged relative to men with regard to their abilities to build career-valuable social connections."

Sources: Arthur, M.M., Del Campo, R.G. & van Buren III, H.J. (2011) ‘‘The impact of gender-differentiated golf course features on women’s networking’, Gender in Management, vol. 26(1), pp. 37-56.