How to organise a corporate golf day

Since the dawn of time, through ice ages and the discovery of fire, business people from all corners of the globe have congregated on grassy planes to knock golf balls into holes - and it just works! It’s an undisputed formula for corporate success, for making deals, strengthening bonds, or just taking a day off and calling it ‘networking’ (we see you).

There’s a perception swirling around out there that golf days aren’t for the modern business, that they’re boys clubs where deals are made with a tumbler of whiskey and a shared cigar. But before you start eyeing up a padel court for your next business outing, allow us to shed some light on how to organise a modern corporate golf day that serves a purpose with value, while maintaining all the beauty and tradition of the game, tartan trousers and all.

Sprinkled throughout this article will also be quotes and insights from our XSEM Senior Golf Manager Rafi, to pack an expert punch straight from our golf team front lines.

Some of the XSEM team at the 2025 XSEM Classic event

What is a corporate golf day?

To quote American writer Mark Twain ‘Golf is a good walk spoiled’ - but corporate golf is a boring meeting revolutionised.

Since the events of 2020, the nature of business has changed. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet have become the three musketeers of keeping us at our dining room tables and only getting changed for work from the waist up. You might get to see your customers online for half an hour here and there, but imagine what you could achieve with a full day of their undivided attention. Short of appearing at their houses and refusing to leave the doorstep (which we really wouldn’t recommend), there are very few ways to do that – and corporate golf hits right in the sweet spot.

Incoming quote from Senior Golf Manager Rafi to back us up;

‘Golf allows you to spend time, be that 4-5 hours on the course and a couple of hours either side, with your clients. With how busy everyone is, it’s usually hard to grab even an hour with customers, so corporate golf allows you to have that quality time in a really relaxed environment.’

Why host a golf day for your clients?

A golf day can act as a very effective marketing tool for your business, and can achieve much more than just ensuring your customers can’t escape you for 5 hours. Most of our clients host golf days to reward guests or build relationships, but we have others who use them to launch products, solidify brand messages, or even promote particular services.

‘Our team can build golf days that achieve all sorts of objectives, and we love to come up with fun and interactive ways to make clients’ events more than just a round of golf, be that prize giving mechanics, unique scoring systems, or something more out of the ordinary’ – Rafi, XSEM Senior Golf Manager

Corporate golf has a special ability to provoke a powerful feeling for your guests - sometimes that feeling is fury as their ball goes slicing off into the trees, but more often than not that feeling is relaxation, it’s trust, and it’s gratitude. By choosing a once in a lifetime venue, the right branded touchpoints, and the right agency to make it all happen (hey there!), you can create an experience that will live on in your guests’ minds long after they step off the course - and that kind of positive brand association is priceless!

“What if my guests don’t play golf” I hear you cry. Great question! If some of your guests are novices there are plenty of ways to make sure they’re included. Consider hosting tutorials and lessons, booking bespoke activities, and maybe sitting for a tipple or two – to create an experience encompassing all of the joy of the fairways, with none of the long walk.

Have you ever considered corporate golf?

• Absolutely! We love corporate golf
• Thought about it but never gone for it
• Never!

Why XSEM for your corporate golf day?

Scouring through the voice notes Rafi sent us to make sure this article stayed on track and had a shred of golfing credibility, I found this little nugget of gold – ‘We are the best at corporate golf days’ he said. Bold claim, but let’s back it up.

It might seem obvious, but our golf team really love golf – like really love golf. So much so that sitting downstairs in XSEM HQ is a state-of-the-art GCQuad golf simulator, and our annual client event is, yep you guessed it, a golf day. We know it’s not enough to just love something to be great at it, the secret to our success is that we pair that love and passion with a deep-rooted event management expertise.

We also know people, powerful people (and not in a creepy movie gang kind of way). We work with the best golf brands in the business, the top golf venues globally, and premium prize suppliers to make our client’s events top notch. The event starts the moment the booking form is signed, and we do much more than just show up on the day and handshake at the door. We help you to promote, to strategize, to be creative, and to wow your guests.

Ready to tee off?

Corporate golf is steeped in a history and tradition that can scare some businesses off, and you might be sat there thinking you wouldn’t have the first clue how to set up a golf day, let alone one that drives marketing value – you might also be thinking ‘what if I turn up in the wrong tartan trousers and everyone laughs’?! We’re here to put those fears to rest. Give us a bell to discuss whether we could help you bring your brand or marketing strategy to life through premium corporate golf.

P.S. remember that golf simulator we mentioned, we might just let you have a go on it if you enquire… we knew that would perk you up!