I'm and ex-tennis pro who has played and done relatively well in several sports (basketball is my favorite). I've been playing golf for about 6 years and cannot believe how difficult it is. I've taken the same approach to it as in tennis and have really analyzed the game and try to practice all the shots as much as possible. My advice to new players is do the same, read as much as possible and work on all the shots and you will see small, incremental improvements in your game. It's a lot of work if you want to get good, but there is nothing wrong with just playing for fun. My problem has been getting the time to get on the course, to integrate what I learn in real situations. So there it is- you have to learn, practice what you learn, and get out there and play. I originally thought it would take about 5 years to get relatively good, and I think that's a realistic plan for those starting out.

Good luck and have fun