Millions of people hit the links to play golf recreationally, and many young stars of the game are inspiring others to try their hand at this difficult sport. There was a 20 percent increase in junior golf participation in the five years between 2011 and 2016. Plus, there were 2.5 million golfers who played for the first time in 2016, up from 1.5 million in 2011. Even more exciting for the industry is non-golfers interested in playing golf doubled to 12.8 million. There has never been a better time to play golf. Here are three ways to get started. 1. Start off on a practice range and not on the golf course. The range is a great place to acclimate oneself to the game and practice your swings. 2. Lean toward more loft when selecting clubs. Look for drivers that have at least 10 degrees of loft and fairway woods that start at 17 degrees. This will make it easier for beginners to get the ball into the air and can reduce sidespin so shots fly more straight. 3. Learn the proper grip and stance by working with a coach. Invest in a glove to avoid callused hands, as you’ll be spending significant time practicing. With these tips, novice golfers can get on the road to developing a great golf game relatively quickly.