Golf elitist? Why not make it egalitarian?

If you happened to cast a cursory glance at Chinese newspapers over the past few months, you might be forgiven for thinking there had been an outbreak of golf-itis.

Even in China Daily, the night editor has complained about the headlines teeing off and putting have been cropping up far too often. I didn't have the heart to tell him that a good shot is as pleasing as his own passion, a calligraphy stroke.

And a peek at the thousands of blogs would convince you it is a veritable golfing epidemic.

Here's the reported "truth" (a lot of newspapers have been more than economical with it; some just stuck to exaggeration):

A Shanghai school, reportedly the first in the country, recently introduced golf lessons for its students for 4,800 yuan (US$611) a term.

The Shanghai University of Finance and Economics has added golf to its physical-education curriculum.