I think people that don't golf or golfed very little underestimate how difficult it is to consistently strike the ball well. Forget about scoring, just solidly connect with the ball without hitting the ground first or missing by a quarter of an inch in the other direction and hitting a worm burner.This is a great point. I didn't start playing golf until later in life, and I've often wondered if I had the opportunity to practice at the range or on a course every time I've screwed my cue together and hit balls, how good of a golfer would I be. The amount of practice hours is vastly different. With our weather, I probably average 6-10 rounds of golf a year.
It's why golf equipment companies keep selling new gear, the promise of making it easier.