Golf Taught Me More About Business Than Business School Could

Golf has a way of humbling you. One bad swing, one missed putt, and the entire round can spiral. That’s what makes the game both frustrating and beautiful. Interestingly, it’s also what makes it the perfect metaphor for entrepreneurship, especially in the construction industry.

When I was deep into my golf journey, the goal was simple—go pro. I had the drive, the passion, and the hours of practice behind me. But life had other plans. I didn’t make it. And at the time, that felt like failure. But standing where I am now, running a successful construction business, I realize it wasn’t failure at all. It was training for something even bigger.

Golf taught me about mental toughness. When you’re standing over a critical shot with everything on the line, your mind becomes your biggest asset—or your worst enemy. The same thing happens in business. Whether it’s negotiating a contract, handling a difficult client, or managing a project that’s gone sideways, staying calm under pressure is key. You can’t let emotions dictate your decisions. You have to focus, assess the situation, and execute with clarity.

Another lesson from golf is that you can’t control everything. The weather, the course conditions, even the random bounce of the ball—so much is out of your hands. In construction, it’s the same. You can plan meticulously, but delays happen, costs fluctuate, and unexpected issues pop up. The trick is learning how to adapt without losing your cool. Flexibility isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength.

Golf also taught me the importance of process over outcome. In business, we often chase results—closing the deal, finishing the project, hitting revenue targets. But the real growth happens in the process. It’s in the early mornings reviewing plans, the late nights fixing mistakes, the countless hours spent learning from failures. Success isn’t a destination; it’s the sum of the habits you build along the way.

So no, I didn’t go pro in golf. But the lessons I learned on the course have been invaluable in my journey as a contractor and business owner. They taught me that resilience matters more than talent, that failure is just feedback, and that the grind is where the magic happens. Business is a lot like golf—you win by showing up, staying focused, and never letting one bad shot define your game.