Troon Golf’s Al Larose, head golf professional at Copper Canyon Golf Club in Buckeye, Arizona, shares some team-building ideas that can be easily organized around a friendly game of golf. With a little planning and fore-thought, golf can be a great team-building exercise, providing the type of environment that builds positive reinforcement and strong interpersonal relationships that employees need on the job.

* Accommodate different skill levels. Your team will probably include people with very different skill levels. Different skill levels occur every day on the job, so this kind of team building exercise is appropriate. To accommodate the varying skills of your team members, you may want to play a team scramble or best ball event. This style of play lets each team member contribute where they can. And, it helps everyone feel like they are helping the team, which is the same spirit you are trying to build in the workplace. And don’t forget to call ahead. Most golf shop staff will supply the rules you need for a productive round of golf.

* Establish a set of rules. Put someone who understands the rules of golf and course etiquette on each team to help guide the others. Try and keep each team at or under four players. Sometimes scramble golf is played so that each player on the team has to contribute at least 1-2 drives and 1-2 putts. This is to keep one good golfer on the team from hitting all the “best ball” shots while other team members watch.

* Pick an appropriate location. Picking an appropriate location is very important. You’ll want to look for a player-friendly course like the Schmidt/Curley design at Copper Canyon. This particular course offers up to four sets of tees that range from 5,200 yards to over 6,800 yards in length. In addition to the course itself, there are practice facilities, a restaurant (Indigo Grille overlooking the starting positions of the 1st and 10th tees), a snack bar and meeting rooms.

* Don’t forget the equipment. Everyone on the team should have their own golf clubs and bag. Non-golfers will need a few clubs. A rental set of clubs can even be split between two non-golfers as long as there are enough bags and putters. If the location has a driving range and/or a putting green, the golfers can “tune-up” while the non-golfers can be taught some basics. The golf shop at Copper Canyon can outfit anyone — men, ladies and southpaws, too.

* Book off-season and save. For readers of The Meeting Planner’s Best Resource, Copper Canyon Golf is currently offering a Summer Public Special. Unlimited golf, range balls and 1 sleeve of balls for just $45.00! For unlimited golf, you must book 3 days in advance and tee off before 11:00 AM. Our group special for 12 or more players at $35.00 and a sleeve of balls, coupled with our Troon Golf playing conditions, offers a deal that cannot be beat! Bookings are on a “space available” basis. Call us at 928.252.6783 and mention you saw us on WTTC or go to the Copper Canyon Golf Club listing on WTTC Phoenix/Scottsdale to e-mail us directly.