Robert兩年前開始打高爾夫球，在球場上積累了不少商業界的人脈。同事Mark問他：

Mark: But how can you play with peoplewho've been golfing for 20 years? Isn't it embarrassing?

R:Golf has a system called "handicapping" and the systemdoes its best to level out the differences in skill. It's quite common for anovice to play alongside a more experienced golfer.

M:That's interesting. I read an article once that says you can tell alot about a person's management style by how they play golf. Do you agree withthat?

R:Actually, yes. Say for example you hit your ball into a sandtrap...the way you react to that demonstrates a great deal about yourcharacter.

Robert告訴Mark, 打高爾夫球有所謂的handicapping system 差點系統，能level out the differences in skill 平衡不同選手的水平，讓水平相對較差的新手novice能playalongside a more experienced golfer. 跟經驗豐富的老手一起打球。在這里，新手novice還可以用rookie來代替。Robert說，從球風還能看出一個人的管理風格。

M:So the executives on the golf course are all sort of sizing eachother up?

R:Absolutely. So what about you? Do you play any sports?

M:I was on the ping-pong team in high school. Ping-pong suits mytemperament. It requires high concentration and quick decision-making skills.Unfortunately, ping-pong is not a game of choice for most business executives.

R:Yeah...I don't think CEOs like to get too sweaty. Are youinterested in trying your hand at golf?

M:I thing I might be. Do I have to purchase a set of golf clubs tobegin with?

既然從球風能看出一個人的經營管理風格，那球場上的公司主管們自然都會size each other up 相互打量，彼此觀察。Robert 問Mark 喜歡什么運動項目，Mark說自己上高中的時候曾經打過乒乓球，因為It suits mytemperament. 乒乓球適合我的性情。temperamentis spelled t-e-m-p-e-r-a-m-e-n-t, temperament 是性格，性情的意思，可惜的是，乒乓球不是商界高層喜愛的運動，not a game of choice.

Robert表示同意，因為公司CEO們可不愿意get toosweaty 出一身臭汗。Robert 問Mark 愿不愿意try his hand at golf 試著學打高爾夫球。to try one's hand at something 是嘗試的意思。Mark問Robert要不要事先準備一套球桿。Robert回答說：

R:Not in the beginning. I'll tell you what, let's go out to the cluband hit a few balls next Saturday morning. Who knows? You might get addicted.

M:And like you said, playing golf is a good chance to expand mybusiness networks.

R:It certain is. Well, I've got to take off. How does 7:30 nextSaturday morning work for you?

M:Sounds great! Thanks, Robert.

R:Not at all. I'll see you next week.

Robert告訴Mark, 先不用置備球桿，可以先去球場打幾個球試試手。Who knows? You might get addicted. 意思是說不定你一下子就會上癮呢。兩人分手前，約好下星期六早上7點半一起去打球。