Why has golf become so popular these days? Its the opportunity to be outside, to get a good whole body workout, network with friends or business colleagues at a leisurely pace, and to play a game that you can never play perfectly.

Your achievements are tallied on your scorecard for all time and the desire to improve your game can encourage you to play again and again.

Here is a very basic lesson in golf for the person who hasn't a clue about the game.

Golf is played on an eighteen-hole course. Each hole has its own "par" (value), which is the combined number of tee shots (drives), fairway shots, chips (short hits as you approach the green), and putts (on the green) you should need to take.

The par number is based on the length and difficulty of the hole. Pars range from 3 to 6. If you get the ball in the hole in five shots on a par five hole, you "made par." If it took you six shots, its called a bogie, if you made it in four, its a birdie.

There are usually "hazards" of some sort or other on all the holes. Bodies of water, sand traps, and trees are strategically placed to make reaching the hole more challenging. Beginner golfers should seek to find courses to play that are easier to play with fewer hazards.

Players keep their own score of the total number of shots taken for each hole. After the eighteenth hole, they add up their scores and the one with the lowest is the winner.

It is vital that beginners to golfing should not take the game too seriously, because it takes a very long time to play golf proficiently, even if the professionals on TV make it look so easy.

Take a lesson or two at the start of your golfing 'career', because it will help you develop a proper swing and help you get off to a good start.

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