| Whether you want to be the next Tiger Woods, | | | | course. Of course, Golf is not unique in this respect. |
| play with some friends on Saturday afternoon or | | | | How many guitars now lie in closets, scuba gear in |
| simply go for a leisurely walk while striking a ball, | | | | basements and skis hang on garage walls? The |
| there are a few questions you should ask yourself | | | | bottom line that Golf initially requires more time than |
| before you start playing Golf. Below is a list of ten | | | | other sports but once you have the basics mastered |
| things you need to consider. | | | | you can invest whatever amount of time you wish. |
| 1. Why do I want to play Golf? | | | | 3. How much equipment do I really need? |
| There are countless reasons why somebody would | | | | How far down the rabbit hole do you really want to |
| want to play Golf. In fact, if you ask any business | | | | go? Do you want to have a few beers and puck a |
| executive to name the places where a lot of their | | | | ball in the general direction of the pin with the boys |
| deals and contacts are made, their Golf club will | | | | or play in serious competitions where the extra 10 |
| surely be included in this list. Or if you ask the 80 | | | | yards can win or lose a tournament? Do you want a |
| year old grandfather to explain his reasons for | | | | second hand Volvo or a new Ferrari? How much of a |
| getting up at 6:00 a.m. for a Sunday morning ramble | | | | budget do you have? I am one of the firm believers |
| through the fairways he would probably tell you that | | | | that Golf should be a game for everyone regardless |
| it helps keep him fit. So why do you want to play | | | | of social class, color or creed. So whether you buy |
| Golf? Do you have a reason or is it just a spur of | | | | your gold plated rocket science equipment from the |
| the moment fling? You should think a little while | | | | Pro store or second hand clubs through E-bay, I |
| before jumping in the deep end and really be sure | | | | would still enjoy a round of Golf with you. However, |
| that Golf is the right game for you. A good idea is | | | | Golf is a game played outdoors and requires a lot of |
| take a pen and a piece of paper and make a list of | | | | extra accessories to make life a little more |
| reasons why you would like to play Golf. Because | | | | comfortable. I'm not going to list everything here but |
| your neighbor plays every weekend and he says it's | | | | for example if it rains you may need waterproof |
| a great game may not be the right reason to | | | | clothing or an umbrella or if it's very sunny then you |
| partake. | | | | may need a cap for protection or sunglasses against |
| 2. How much time am I willing to invest? | | | | the glare so you don't lose sight of your ball in midair. |
| Golf is different from a lot of other sports due to | | | | But the basic equipment is no greater an investment |
| the fact that there is quite a lot to learn before you | | | | than for most other sports or hobbies. |
| can really begin to enjoy the game. Unlike other | | | | In general, one should ask themselves these |
| games, it is not really possible to teach yourself | | | | questions before venturing into any sport or hobby, |
| 100% from a book or DVD. The basic techniques | | | | but as those who play Golf know, it is addictive and |
| require a lot of feel and take a while to develop. If | | | | the more you play the more addictive it becomes |
| you learn bad technique then it can be very hard to | | | | and the initial learning phase becomes but a fading |
| change it. Therefore, it is a good idea to join a club | | | | memory. So if having considered the above questions |
| and get lessons from a Golf Pro. Having said that, | | | | you still want to play then I look forward to seeing |
| lessons alone are not enough, a great deal of | | | | you on the tee. |
| patience is necessary in order to get a feel for the | | | | Nigel Nix has been playing Golf on and off since he |
| techniques and to put them into effective practice. | | | | was 5 years old. |
| You need to spend a lot of time at the driving range | | | | He is now 42 and runs a humorous Golf blog. |
| and putting green before you ever go near the Golf | | | | |