Superstar Tiger Woods has teed off a worldwide rush to the golf course.

And the impact of Woods on the game has changed golf's image from a sport for middle-aged businessmen in bad plaid to the hottest activity for trendsetters which can be legally done outdoors.

The Mid-Ocean News sports editor Dexter Smith said the golf superstar has shown the world that the game transcends colour barriers.

"You now have minorities picking up golf clubs -- particularly in the US,'' he explained. "Before the primary sports for minorities were football, baseball and track.

"Before Tiger, golf was seen as an elitist sport. He has increased the international appeal of the game as a result of his lineage to Thailand.'' And Mr. Smith said that other minority golfing sensations were carrying the momentum forward.

"Vijay Singh, who is from Fiji, and Se Ri Pak, who hails from Korea, are continuing the upsurge of minority's interest with golf.

"With Pak, a rookie who has won two majors this year, the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) has been cast in a good light,'' he added.

"People are actually tuning in to see how she is doing. "She will be playing in the Gillette Challenge.'' Daren Mayeaux of Sports R Us said he has seen more of a local trend towards younger people getting into the game.

"Kids think it's cool, they see Tiger Woods playing it so it must be all right,'' he said.

But the sporting goods store manager said Mr. Woods was just one factor in the games increase in popularity.

"A lot of young people are getting into the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour and are doing well,'' he explained. "Just like in tennis and other sports, the players are getting younger and they are enjoying success at the game.

"The popularity has also increased because it is the only game that is fair.

Someone who is five years old can play someone who is 40 and beat them. It is a fair handicap system.

"It is one of the fairest sports around and you can start playing at a very young age and continue playing it until you are quite old,'' he explained.

"Unlike soccer or other games, you do not have to give golf up when you reach a certain age. There is a future in it. You can invest in it and enjoy many years of returns on that investment.'' Mr. Mayeaux also said that the games family-friendly nature has also played a role in golf's rise in prominence.

"Families can get involved in golf, they can go to a course and all play together.'' Despite the many suitable qualities about golf, the Bermuda Junior Golf Association's Muriel Parker still proclaims Tiger Woods as the main reason why youngsters are lured into the game.

"Tiger Woods has had an enormous impact -- definitely,'' Ms Parker said.

"There has been an increase in Bermuda in the number of young people playing.

"It would surprise you to see just how many kids are up hitting balls at the Bermuda Golf Academy and Driving Range.'' Unfortunately golf's new popularity has created many difficulties for the Bermuda Junior Golf Association.

"It is difficult getting the juniors on the courses,'' Ms Parker explained.

"We can only take so many juniors in because we are having a hard time getting on the courses.'' Once a year the Association holds an assessment process to select youngsters for their programme.

"They have to have had lessons before they enter the programme,'' she added.

"Some of the kids have already had lessons with pros at various clubs and the pros submit their names.

"But if a kid comes along who has promise and has had some sort of lessons we will take a look at them.'' Currently the Association has 25 participants (eight-years of age and up) in their novice programme and another 100 taking one of their other programmes.

"We are turning out some good young players like Michael Sims and Andrew Trott,'' she added.

TIGER WOODS -- The top golfer has been responsible getting more and more kids into the game.