Golf has long been a game of traditions. There are many complicated rules and kind of a stuffy attitude that was associated with the game. In the past, many golfers were not too excited to see a woman or a beginning golfer on the course at all. Actually, not too far in the past, ladies were not allowed to tee off before noon on the weekend at some private clubs.

Thank goodness golf has finally started to wake up.

The game is a challenge for all players and there are days for all of us the ball does not go to our intended target. I think most of the golf gurus around the world believe the game takes too long. In my opinion, a good pace for nine holes of golf is approximately 2 hours.

For a beginning golfer, that might seem almost impossible. In high school golf, there is a circle 10 rule. After 10 shots, you put your ball in your pocket, write down 10 and put a circle around the score. If you watched the Masters, you watched the defending champion take a octuplet-bogey 13 on a hole.

Sergio I believe is ranked the 10th-best player in the world. If he can have a wreck, I guess we all can live with a few bad holes at times. Most golf course offer two or even five sets of tee options and you can pick any tee box you feel comfortable with. I would recommend a beginner to move up to 150 yards and play in from that point. If you are struggling and feel like there are groups behind you, just step aside and wave them through. If you are just starting the game and want to play, you do not even have to keep score. Many golf courses have prime times when they are very busy. It is a good idea to check with the course you are playing to check when there are less busy times. It should lower your stress factor.

You are allowed to carry 14 clubs but for most golfers all that does is add weight to there bag and more decision making when it comes to hitting your next shot. Carry four or five clubs that you like. It will make the game a lot more fun.

As you improve you can add more clubs if you would like to but there is no rule that mandates you to do so. I would also recommend that you go along with a friend that has played a little. That should help ease some of the fear factor. Golf courses are trying to adapt to newer golfers and the older golf warriors and are looking at three-hole rates, six-hole rates and other ideas to help golfers have access to the game.

One new thing I have seen/heard on golf courses are the new boomboxes. Do I like them? No.

Do I realize that the newer golfers like them? Yes.

And if the golfers of old do not accept that, the golfers of the newer generations the game will go nowhere. I think the best description of this great game is respect. Respect for the golf course, respect for you fellow golfers. It is a game that when played, regardless if you are a really good golfer or a beginner, respect is the heart of the game. No matter how you play if we can keep respect in the game, I truly believe it will survive for future generations.

Tip of the week: Always check your ball position in your stance and try to be consistent. Try and have good tempo on you backswing and downswing and follow through. Really work on your club distances. Figure out how far you hit your clubs and choose the right club for the shot.