When Gary Player was told some years ago that he had been 'lucky' to knock in a putt, the South African golfing great replied: 'My friend, the harder I practise, the luckier I get.'
And while golfers - from hackers up to the top professionals - often blame Lady Luck or their clubs for poor play, the truth is that becoming proficient in this complex, and at times frustrating, sport requires professional help and plain hard work.
While few worked harder at their game than Player in his era, it is Tiger Woods who stands out in the pack these days. The enor mously talented pro won nine tournaments on the US Tour last year, including three Major crowns in the US and British Opens and the US PGA - and he still practises long hours.
Woods has one of the world's top coaches in Butch Harmon to help him monitor his swing, which earned him more than US$9 million in prize money last year, and yields some US$20 million a year in endorsements.
The best way for Woods-inspired locals to start the game or hone skills is to get lessons and become proficient enough to obtain a handicap card from the Hong Kong Golf Association. This enables you to play golf on courses ranging from the Hong Kong Jock ey Club's two public courses on Kau Sai Chau Island, off Sai Kung, to Hong Kong Golf Club's three fine layouts at Fanling.
Green fees range from the cheapest at Kau Sai Chau's South Course at HK$350 to more than HK$1,000 at Fanling for a tourist. Golfers with Hong Kong ID cards will get a better rate at Fanling, as will members of various golfing societies. If you can find a member to invite you, the green fee will be only HK$350.