What kind of an advantage does being able to play golf provide in the business world?

In Dubai these days? It’s a big one!

In the 21st century, no matter what line of work you are in, you always hear the fact that business and golf go together.

It might be down to a few factors.

You could be randomly paired together with a stranger who could have a contact for you. There’s a hobby you and your playing partner have in common from off the bat (or club). Maybe both of you are more relaxed as your minds are away from work, or it could be the fact you are forced together with them for over four hours, and they can’t escape!

One man in Dubai has taken that concept to the next level and cut out a few middlemen in making the process of golf and business even more seamless. In his own words “It’s not what you know, it’s who you play golf with.”

Just ask Brian Smith, Founder of Dubai BIGS (Business Integrated Golf Society).

“The aim of BIGS is to connect business people together. Whether it’s investors, startups, technology companies, business owners, entrepreneurs, anyone from all categories and sectors of business to get together and to grow their businesses organically.

“We’ve only been running for about five months, and we have already over 100 members, which is impressive for during a Dubai summer.

“The reason why we set up Dubai BIGS was because I’m around the investor network. People of different stages from start up, pre-seed and seed are then looking at the further ranges of investment requirements.

“I realised there’s a gap to connect business startups and business owners with all the investor networks that I’ve started to connect with. So, venture capitalists, private equity and family houses.

“There’s a huge opportunity where you can be paired with someone who’s going to be an influence on you for four hours on the golf course. Now, a lot of people pay a lot of money for a pitch deck of 15 minutes. “What could you do with four hours on a golf course” is our pitch?

Dubai BIGS prides themselves in strategically matching people on the course, knowing that they are able to connect the right people together to do business. In what can at times, bring cutthroat and ruthless individuals into the frame.

“We filter and vet everybody that tries to join BIGS.

“If they’re working for a financial institute, they have to be regulated by the FSRA (Financial Services Regulatory Authority) or ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market).

“If they’re operating, a real estate company for example, we don’t permit salespeople into the society. This is to protect our members. That’s so then they’re not being constantly pitched to for properties and finance management.

With the society already having ten events throughout the year, they also have a “Summer Series” on the cards with an indoor venue yet to be confirmed, and even “Away Days” in Belek, Turkey to look forward to.

“For now we play everywhere in the UAE, here at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Creek, Emirates Golf Club and we are looking at doing Yas Links in Abu Dhabi as well this year.

“The biggest thing is the positive feedback from the members about some of our prizes to be won. We have some of the “I think” best prizes in any society in the UAE because of our sponsors, they are phenomenal.

“The members love the society and they love the fact that they’re growing business directly on a golf course. So it’s all really good feedback.

So inquire to join BIGS and tee up your business on the golf course.

Main Image and Video: Harry Grimshaw