Golfing

At its highest levels, golfing is played in international tournaments where millions of dollars are on the line. Famous golfers are also often signed to lucrative endorsement deals that are worth multiple millions themselves. However, many people who enjoy golfing are content to play a more relaxed type of game.

There are two principal types of golf courses: the mini-golf (or "putt-putt") course, and the regular course. Most full-sized golf courses have eighteen holes, and players travel around these scenic green courses and attempt to hit the ball into each of these holes.

Golfing on these courses often involves large amounts of walking; for this reason, many golfers hire teenaged caddies to carry their heavy bag of clubs from hole to hole. Others ride in special motorized vehicles called golf carts, outfitted with the appropriate golf cart battery. Even when losing, golf provides an enjoyable morning or afternoon with friends outside in balmy weather.

Many amateur and casual golfers prefer "putt-putt" style golfing. This is usually played at special, smaller, commercial courses that require players to hit balls through a whimsical obstacle course. Putt-putt golf is almost always played with short clubs that are only intended to nudge the ball short distances; this type of golf outing can be great fun at a birthday party or family reunion.

Although miniature golf does have a points scoring system, it is almost always played in a very casual manner and scores are often not kept. For this reason, putt-putt golf makes an excellent introduction to the sport for young children. It is important to note, also, that the scoring system used in miniature golf may vary considerably from one establishment to the next. Players who do want to keep score should carefully read the instructions before embarking on the course.