Want to make golf more accessible for American kids? Look toward Australia, mate.

As Stuart Appleby told the San Francisco Chronicle, "Golf is way more affordable in Australia than it is here (in the U.S.). It's not as elitist a sport over there. You can join an exclusive club and pay only $2,000 to $3,000 per year. It's just less segregated socially."

Affordable golf? Hard to believe, but true. In that same story, Robert Allenby tells how kids can play a round of golf in Australia "for $7 or $8 in U.S. dollars."

Wow. Here in California, eight bucks gets your kid a bucket of range balls. Maybe.

Clearly Australia is doing something right. I'm not exactly sure how they're doing it, but they've got my attention. Here's hoping the USGA and anyone serious about improving youth golf in America also takes a closer look.

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