Top 10 reasons to take up golf

Golf is a game played all over the world, by all colours, creeds and classes. Although sometimes associated with rich businessmen, golf is accessible to anyone.

So if you're looking for a reason to start playing, read on and let me convince you.

1. Health & Fitness

Golf may not get you as fit as some endurance sports, but it's certainly better than sitting on the counch watching repeats of Friends.

Golf involves a lot of walking - so leave the buggy behind and get walking around the course. A four hour walk at least once a week is great exercise and that's exactly what golf is.

2. Competition & difficulty

Part of the charm of golf is overcoming the sheer difficulty of the game. It's difficult to learn and even more difficult to get to a really good standard. But there are few better feelings than a weel struck drive or chipping in from off the green.

In golf you compete against the course; it is your enemy but it will also bring you good times if you tame it.

3. The great outdoors

Many golf courses are situated in scenic locations such as many of the great links courses of Scotland and the coast of England. If windy hills aren't your thing, what about the pristine greens of Florida or Marbella? Whatever your fancy, the best golf courses are genuinely stunning locations and a feast for the eyes.

Being outside also has a postitive effect on your state of mind and general well-being as well as giving you the chance to breathe fresh air.

4. Stress relief

A game of golf is never over quickly, so you'll have plenty of time to escape your usual day to day mundanities and engross yourself in the game. A full eighteen-hole round of golf can take upwards of four hours - plenty of time to leave the job, or your partner, behind!

5. Meeting others & making new friends

Golf is a great way to meet other people or even just keep in touch with your current friends. You can play the course on your own, or a two, three or four ball game. Any more players and it'll get messy and some clubs may frown on this.

Then there's the famous 19th hole after the game - this refers to the clubhouse where players meet after a round. Don't forget if you get a hole in one you are obliged to buy everyone in there a drink!

6. Anyone can play golf

You don't need to be muscular to hit a golf ball a long way, although it obviously helps. Most lower handicap players try to hit the ball too hard and lose accuracy.

Golf is about rhythm. Once you have a good rhythm THEN you can increase your swing speed and attempt to hit the ball further. But even the most puny of players can drive a ball 250 yards with today's equipment - more than enough to go round in par on your average golf course.

Plus it's easy on your joints so any old injuries you have should be safe.

7. Golf is fun

Golf is, above all else, supposed to be fun. It can be a cruel game and often you may not know just why a shot went the wrong way or why you duffed it. But then you'll hit a magical chip or sink a massive putt and everything will be ok again. That's golf - pleasure and pain in one game.

As you get practise and get better, it gets more fun and you spend a lot less time searching for lost balls!

8. Golf pays well

Golfers make big money - just look at Tiger Woods! Ok, ok, so you'd have to be talented and very lucky to make it but why not? Maybe you could hot-house your kids and get rich through them.

Joking aside, pro golfers make big money and even your local pro probably charges a hefty amount for lessons. What's better than getting paid for something you love?

9. Business & networking

Golf has long been the sport practiced by businessmen to connect, meet up and do whatever it is they do with each other. If the idea of this fills you with dread, fear not - it's not a requirement of being a good golfer!

You could be doing yourself a favour in your job - either current or future - by earning good etiquette and getting to know the basics of golf. Although it might not get you a promotion, being close to your boss just might!

10. Golfers live longer!

Don't be a cynic, read on:

"Golf players have a lower death rate regardless of sex, age and social group. The effect is greater for golfers from blue-collar professions than for those from white-collar professions. The lowest rates are found in the group of players with the lowest handicap (i.e. the best golfers)."