Playing golf can provide opportunities to network with centres of influence and prospects and build relationships with existing clients. But what if you’re not a golfer?

Learning the game could boost your business and your social life while providing a healthy dose of fun and exercise.

During a four-hour round of golf you might only swing a club for about two minutes, says Kevin Haime, owner and director of instruction at the Kevin Haime Golf Centre in Ottawa and the 2000 Canadian PGA National Teacher of the Year. That leaves plenty of time for relationship building on the links.

You don’t need to play like a pro to gain the sport’s benefits. A reasonable investment of time, effort and money can be enough to learn the basics. Follow these tips for a successful debut on the green:

> Work with a pro
Hire a golf instructor (or “pro”) to work with you on your golf skills.

“Find a golf professional that you get along with,” says Steven Oostrom, an Ottawa-based course examiner and owner of MyGolfClinic.com, “and are on the same page with about improving your game.”

Haime suggests calling around to local pro shops and asking about instructors.

> Get the right gear
Instead of immediately buying the best equipment available, get an opinion about what’s best for you.

Take a golf pro with you to the store, says Haime. He or she will give you an honest opinion about what you will need.

“A golf pro is [like] a doctor,” Haime says. “There’s a kind of ethical responsibility to help you.”

Make sure the golf clubs have some “forgiveness,” Oostrom says, a quality that refers to the weight and size of the head on the club. A club with forgiveness is a little heavier and can therefore help correct miss-hits, because of the extra weight behind the ball.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1,200 for a complete outfit of new gear. Other options include renting from a club or buying secondhand.

> Take lessons
A little formal tuition will help prepare you for a real game.

At a minimum you should take five to six lessons over a three-week to four-week period, says Haime. Many schools offer group lessons, but a private lesson with a golf pro is recommended.

Those lessons will cover fundamentals such as your grip, stance, posture and alignment as well as your golf swing, Oostrom says.

You should also take a playing lesson, he says. You and a golf pro play a game and you learn things like course management and etiquette — extremely important when playing with clients.

Depending on your area, prices for private lessons can range from $45-$65 for a half-hour session and $75-$100 for one hour.

> Practice makes perfect
Lessons, of course, can only take you so far — so make sure you practice.

How much you practice depends on how serious of a golfer you intend to be, Oostrom says. If you plan to play frequently, he says, you should be hitting a large bucket of balls at a driving range twice a week.

> Relax and have fun
Stay positive. Your attitude will leave a larger impression with clients and colleagues than your golf skills.

Beginners who are determined to take every single shot can really slow down a game, Haime says. Instead, just have fun. Ride in the cart, buy a round of drinks, hit a few shots and putt along with your group.

IE