The key to golf is having fun so make learning the fundamentals of golf fun and not an exercise in futility. I work at a golf course in the summer and see too many people taking the game waaaaay too seriously. You are not good enough to get upset like the pros do. Work on having fun and learning.

Here are some tips that I have seen work at the course.

1. Take lessons. A good golf pro is trained to point you in the correct direction and will explain the fundamentals of golf so that you understand them.
2. Practice
3. Have fun
4. Read Golf For Dummies. Gary McCord did a nice job in this book explaining the fundamentals.
5. Practice
6. Have fun
7. Don't try to swing for the fences. You will learn that a controlled and smooth golf swing will get you greater distance and lower your score because you will hit more fairways.
8. Practice
9. Have fun
   
10. Become a student of the game. Try to understand why your ball does what it does instead of just whacking away at it.
11. Practice
12. Have fun
13. Try different things at the driving range and not just hitting a bucket of balls with your driver. If they have chipping greens, spend most of your time there. You will learn more about the fundamentals practicing your short game than you will pounding the crap out of a large bucket or two.
14. Oh yeah, did I mention practice and have fun?
15. Enjoy the 19th hole. I always say that some of the best shots in golf take place at that hole.
    

I'm a very strong believer in the concept tha the game of golf is about having fun so you may want ot read my version of the Rules of Golf. It is a game and you should have fun.