Pickleball: The New Business Activity Taking Over Golf in Corporate America?

Traditionally, golf courses have been the preferred venues for business deals and client meetings. However, according to Bloomberg, pickleball is emerging as a popular alternative, offering time and cost savings while being more inclusive and easier for beginners.

Bloomberg reports that numerous clubs across the country have seen a significant rise in corporate outings and booking inquiries, with one club receiving 10-20 requests per week.

Is Pickleball Better for Networking and Client Engagement Than Golf?

Less Intimidating for Non-Golfers

Imagine not being a golfer and being invited to spend a whole day trying to keep up with a regular golfer. It’s challenging and not enjoyable. Golf requires precision and finding a small ball among bushes, sand, trees, and water.

In contrast, pickleball is less intimidating. Lawyers, bankers, and realtors can have meaningful conversations in a shorter amount of time while playing a much simpler and less intimidating sport.

“If you’ve never golfed before and I invite you to the golf course to network and do business, it’s almost impossible to keep up,” says Chicago real estate broker Colin Hebson. “I can take someone to the pickleball court who has never played before, and they can have a good time within 10 minutes.”

Cost-Effective and Diverse

Cost is another significant factor. Two hours of pickleball might cost a firm $80, whereas a round of golf can cost between $600 to $700. As company budgets tighten, pickleball court reservations are rising.

For companies looking to diversify their client base, golf poses a challenge due to its predominantly male and white demographic. Hosting pickleball tournaments offers better employee engagement and attracts a more diverse crowd.

Less Serious Than Golf

Bloomberg highlights a Minneapolis-based life coach, Jasna Burza, who started inviting clients to play pickleball when she noticed it helped them relax. Burza, who works with executives, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, finds pickleball a better alternative to golf, especially for many of the women she coaches.

“A lot of my women clients say, ‘I have kids, I don’t have time to spend seven hours on the course,'” she says. The shift has also improved her relationships with golfing clients, who now prefer the casual and less pretentious environment of pickleball.

“There are no pretensions. You see them miss a point. There’s so much vulnerability on the court,” Burza explains. “What I love is that you see adult men and women engaging in friendly banter. People are competitive, but it’s not as serious as golf.”

While golf will likely always have its place in business dealings, it’s refreshing to see pickleball bringing people – even those in suits – together in new and enjoyable ways.