I started golfing when I was just 5 or 6, but I will admit it was mini golf. We did have a really bad golf course out at the lake, so I started actually playing the real game on that course when I was about 12, whenever I could convince the grownups to let me come with them.
Once I went to college, I didn't play for a long time - no money and no time. When I got my first real job out of college, I got some clubs and starting playing about once every two weeks if I could. It was winter 7 months of the year where I lived then, though, so I didn't get too many games in.
Got real serious about it 2 years ago when I started my own business. Now I play whenever I can, although I can only afford the best course in town a few times a year. Otherwise, I play at the club I belong to about 2 times a week.
So if I add it all up, been playing golf a LONG time.