Gripping it and ripping it, as former Open champion John Daly so eloquently puts it, has never been easier for juniors. It might be through their local PGA pro, or via the myriad of initiatives organised by bodies such as the Golf Foundation and the Home Unions, but whichever avenue choice is plentiful.
Among the wide-ranging initiatives on offer are the 268 Golf Foundation starter centres based at the UK's clubs. Ideal for taking those first steps you can find more information on golf-foundation.org
Many clubs and schools also operate the Golf Foundation's Tri-Golf, which is a fun and easy introduction to golf while as summer approaches keep an eye out for local golf clubs and see what special holiday clinics they have organised.
Newcomers to golf will also find changing attitudes within golf clubs with many operating child friendly policies. This is reflected in discounted rates, special tees and access to the course with little or no restriction.
Also worth checking out:
Young Masters Golf
Graham Moore International Golf Schools
Swindon's Broome Manor professional Barry Sandry is typical of the good work done by PGA pros across the country. Barry won the Golf Foundation's 2006 Sinclair Award for his outstanding contribution to junior golf which each year sees him coach hundreds of youngsters from four upwards.
Broome Manor's reputation as a mini-golfing nirvana for kids is reflected in the fact they have access to an 18 hole course, two nine hole course, a par three course, a Tiny Tigers course and two pitch and putt courses.
Among the most popular is the nine-hole Tiny Tigers course which stands 950 yards long and is set on one of the existing nine hole lay-outs. With its own card and rules, juniors as young as four play regular medals, getting used to playing on fairways and greens. As part of the rules, the children have a maximum of 10 shots and four putts on the green.
One of the most ambitious junior schemes is Scotland's clubgolf scheme which has targeted introducing every nine-year-old north of the Border (some 50,000) to golf by 2009.
In Wales, as part of hosting the Ryder Cup 2010, money is being ploughed into grassroots initiatives including helping thousands of children discover golf.
At national level in England, golf's leading bodies have created the England Golf Partnership. Among its aims are to build on existing introductory programmes and make England the leading golf nation in the world by 2020.
Juniors interested in taking up golf should contact their local PGA professional to find out more about opportunities in their area.