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.