Whether for pleasure or for business, golf is a game that everyone should learn to play. Knowing how to play golf can quickly become an addiction, filling up your weekends and your holiday travel plans. It can lead to business deals and to a life-long hobby. Although the rules of the game themselves are rather simple, it's learning the fundamentals and skills that keep many people away. Going out onto the green and not knowing which club to use or, even worse, not being able to make contact between the ball and the club can quickly become frustrating and even embarrassing. But with a little studying of the fundamentals and a whole lot of practice, you'll soon be well on your way to learning how to play golf like a pro.

1. THE BASICS:

Golf is played on a special area called a Golf Course. Courses can be private or public, and consist of 18 holes (sometimes just 9 holes). The course is broken into two sections, the front 9 Holes, and the back 9 Holes.

Equipment to play golf includes a set of golf clubs, golf ball and optional things such as golf shoes, a golf glove, umbrella, towel and cart.

Golf clubs include irons, woods and a putter. The woods are number 1, 2, 3 (and even up to 12 in some cases), and are used to hit the ball the farthest distance possible, typically 200-300 yards. The irons are numbered 1-9 including a pitching wedge and sand wedge. These are used for medium-distance shots on the fairway ranging from 20 years to 200 yards. The final club is the putter, which is used on the green to gently tap the ball into the hole.

The main objective of golf is to hit the golf ball into the hole in as few of strokes (swings at the ball) as possible. Players start by teeing off from the tee. Then, hitting the ball from the fairway onto the green.

Along the way, there are hazards such as water and sand and rough (thick grass).

Players keep track of their strokes on a scorecard. The person with the fewest strokes at the end of 18 holes, wins the game. A game of golf is called a round.

Par is the amount of strokes an average player should take to hit the ball into the hole.

If a person makes the ball into the hole in one-stroke less than par, it is a birdie. Two-strokes less is an eagle, and three-strokes less is a double eagle. Hitting it in the hole in just one stroke is a hole in one. If a person makes the ball into the hole one-stroke over par, it is a bogey, and two-strokes over is a double-bogey.

2. THE RULES:

Golf has a very strict set of rules to follow, governed by the US Golf Association (USGA). These rules include scoring, penalties and more. Click here for a complete list of the lengthy rules of golf: http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules.html

Golf also has special rules of behavior called golf etiquette. Any beginner should learn these rules so as not to offend anyone on the course, or even possibly get hurt. Here is a link to golf-etiquette from the USGA: http://www.usga.org/playing/etiquette/etiquette.html

Best way to Learn:

The best way to learn golf is by having private lessons with a golf pro. You can get local numbers of golf pros from any local golf course. Set up a lesson before you step on the course! There is nothing more aggravating to other golfers, than a beginner hacking away at the ball and holding up the entire game.

Read the Books, Watch the Tapes

The quickest way to learn the fundamentals of any sport, including golf, is to read books and watch instructional videos on the topic. The shelves of your local library and bookstore will be lined with books and videos related to golf. From titles on various players to the history of the game itself, there will be plenty of information here to keep you busy for years. Take some time to browse through the sports section and see what you can find. When choosing skills-related books, look for books with lots of illustrations and photographs. Reading the fundamentals is one thing, but actually seeing a visual depiction of how the skill actually looks will often make things easier to understand. The book should cover all the intricacies of golf, especially the swing. It should also provide you with drills to do on your own, at either a driving range or in your own backyard. Videos are another great option for learning how to play golf. Often times, videos are hosted by professional golfers or the sport's top instructional coaches. Watching a video specifically on improving your golf swing is like having your own personal coach right in your living room.

3. GO ONLINE

The Internet is full of useful information and instructional tips on how to play golf, from message boards to coach's pages, as well as how-to articles and simulation modules. With the right site you can have a full golf lesson without ever leaving your computer monitor. An excellent site is http://www.hpga.net, the home page of the Higher Performance Golf Academy. This site is full of helpful information, including a step-by-step guide on how to swing a golf club. There are also plenty of articles to read and even radio broadcasts to listen to. Another site that is worth the time to check out is http://www.golflessonsonline.com, where you can find information and answers on every aspect of the game.

Practice Really Does Make Perfect

As much as you may hate to admit it, there really is no better way learn to play golf than by going out to greens and doing it. After all, practice really does make perfect. Whether you opt to practice by taking swings with a friend or heading to a driving range, the more swings you take the better you'll get. Once you learn the rules of the game from the books and videos, the only other step left is to work on your swing. When learning how to swing a golf club, be sure to keep these fundamentals in mind:

Set a Target: Obviously the goal is to hit the golf ball as near to the hole as you can, but you can't just swing and hope that it gets there. Before you do anything you need to find the target. Start by standing behind the tee and lining your sight up with the green. Then find a mark just ahead of the ball that lines up with your target. This is where your swing should meet the ball.

Get a Grip: Once you're all lined up, the next step is to grip the club and take several practice swings. Your grip should be comfortable and relaxed so your arms can follow through with the swing. Put your dominant hand directly below the other hand.

Stance: Stand a little less than arms length away from the tee, facing the ball and your target, with both feet together. Then shift your feet slightly so your left foot is slightly ahead of your right foot, making your feet about shoulder-width apart.

Swing Away: Start your swing by drawing the club forward and ahead of the ball. Then pull the club straight back until it is parallel to the ground. When you swing, the club should come follow this same path. Remember to never pause at the top as the swing should be one fluid movement. As you swing, keep your head down and watch the club strike the ball. Once the ball is hit, follow through with your swing until the club hits your back and your head is drawn up to follow the ball's path.

Now that you've practiced your swing at least once, you can go to a driving range, or your back yard, and practice perfecting it. By starting in the books and then following up with practice, practice and more practice, you'll soon be on our way to the pros, or at least regular evenings spent chasing balls out of sand traps.

And now for a quick laugh, check out this funny article about theUS Open .