Surprisingly, given its short summers and distinctly un-Palm Springs–like landscape, Minnesota has more golfers per capita than any other state, and more than 480 courses within its borders, according to the Minnesota Golf Association. Perhaps golf has special appeal for Minnesota’s stereotypically reticent denizens; it’s a game that offers a certain degree of sustained togetherness without undue touching or prolonged eye-contact.
Golfing has enjoyed a long affinity with business and businesspeople. Golf lends itself to business affairs perhaps because the leisurely pace of the game allows people to spend a great deal of time in conversation, generally in a picturesque and relaxing setting. For some, the golf course is the final proving ground; one golf instructor told me of a CEO who would not approve the hiring of any high-level employee until he had played a game with him or her. That executive would probably agree with Minnesota golf pro Chris Foley, who told me that golf is “a game based on honesty and integrity. Because of that, you learn a lot about a person on the golf course.”
Whether you are a complete golf novice trying to put your recent humiliation at Lava Links behind you, a seasoned player looking to further develop your game, or you are an executive planning a golf outing for employees or clients, we’ve got you covered with nine of the most sought-after golf schools and instructors in Minnesota.
Performance in Motion, Golden Valley
(performanceinmotion.biz)
The Game: Life and business coaching—using golf
The Pro: While giving golf lessons to business executives, Dan DeMuth—a 2005 Minnesota Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) Teacher of the Year—realized that he was improving more than just their golf game, leading him to found Performance in Motion. The company offers businesses a number of programs and retreats —for teams and individuals—in which participants make discoveries about their learning styles, blocks, and potential on the way to identifying and realizing personal and business goals—all through the dynamic medium of golf.
The Dance Floor: After you pass through the company’s clubby lobby area (complete with fireplace and overstuffed chairs) and boardroom, you enter the “virtual room,” a hyper-real virtual golf course, complete with putting green, nets, and murals of a world-class golf course and gleaming with swing-analysis technology.
