Planning is critical for successful golf outings.(Focus: Residential Golf Communities)(Directory)

When planning a golf outing - employees, a networking opportunity or a charity event - the most important bit of advice to heed is this: Know what you want to achieve.

A couple of other tips from the experts: Plan far in advance and meet all deadlines.

Jeff Weinman knows firsthand how to organize a corporate golf outing. His Chicago-based company organizes such events worldwide and is scheduled to put together 32 events in 1999.

"Work with the corporation or company and find out the needs," says Weinman. "What is the purpose? What are we doing this for? Are we thanking employees. Instead of a company picnic are we having a golf outing instead?" …