1. Thou shalt understand the concept of Business Golf. Know the subtleties of developing business through golf. Recognize the difference between playing recreational golf with friends and playing Business Golf. Remember that even if you're not talking business, it's still a business meeting that just happens to take place on the golf course.

2. Thou shalt make a commitment to golf and Business Golf. Business Golf is a skill just like any other business skill. To have it work for you, you really need to work on it. Look at how golf is used in your business and industry. Make a decision on what you need to do. Then take action. This often includes making a commitment to improve your recreational golf skills too.

3. Thou shalt build rapport and image through golf. Always remember that everything you do on the course reflects on you as a business person. The objective is to connect in a positive way with the people you're with -- through your behavior as well as your words. This requires learning to shift focus between your golf game and the social/business interaction.

4. Thou shalt prepare a Business Golf strategy and track the results. It will be easier to shift focus between golf and business if you know beforehand what you want to achieve and have set a plan. Do this for each round and also for the season. This will make it easier to see how well you're doing and if you need to modify your strategy. And you'll know if the time and money you're spending on Business Golf are paying off.

5. Thou shalt not feel intimidated on the course. Playing with business associates creates anxiety for many golfers. It's a Catch-22. They want to create a good image and so they put extra pressure on themselves to play well, which can really throw their game off! To get past feeling intimidated, learn to relax and enjoy the game. Feel comfortable with your skill level while you work to improve. Remember it's not so much how you handle the clubs but how you handle yourself that counts.

6. Thou shalt know the etiquette and rules. Nothing reflects more on your image than your knowledge of the rules and etiquette. A high handicap player who follows the etiquette and rules commands more respect than a scratch golfer who violates the integrity of the game.

7. Thou shalt keep up the pace of play. Ask golfers what is the biggest breach of etiquette or what annoys them most on the course and most will tell you slow play. In Business Golf slow play is a cardinal sin because it reflects poorly on your time management skills, decisiveness, and ability to meet deadlines. It also shows lack of consideration for others. So keep up the pace, even if it means picking up your ball.

8. Thou shalt be prepared to do business and know when and when not to do so. Business Golf is more about building relationships and developing business than actually doing business on the course. Still, you need to be prepared in case the opportunity arises. But be sure to find out first if the club has any rules against talking business. And develop the skill of knowing when and when not to talk business. And that means focusing on the people as well as the game.

9. Thou shalt read people as well as the greens. According to the Hyatt Study: Golf and the Business Executive, some people expect to talk business on the golf course. Others play golf to escape from business. Obviously, if you mistake one of these type for the other, you'll miss an opportunity or even worse, lose business. The most successful Business Golfers are masters at knowing how to listen and read both verbal and non-verbal cues on the course. They know that this is the key to deciding when to talk business.

10. Thou shalt create a memorable Business Golf experience. Have fun and enjoy yourself!! Whether you're the host or the guest, take the responsibility to make sure that everyone is having a really positive, memorable experience.

Following the Ten Commandments of Business Golf may not get you the mega-deals of a Donald Trump. But it will go a long way to helping you build the solid relationships that lead to business.