The game's VERY detailed if you want it to be. At the same time, it's easy to start smacking golfballs right away (after doing the tutorials, that is...that was fucking stupid. You should be able to skip that shit).
Havent gotten any from my folks yet, spent the holls in Engerland this year, you see. Only came back like 6 hours ago. Got HL2, and some fcuk deo and showergel already though. Plus £5 and taft(sp?).