More women on the fairways

Game for all

But that is not to say only the rich can play golf. On the contrary, more people are able to do so because of China's economic development, Chen says.

The sentiment is shared by Zou Huiwen, a young woman golf lover in Beijing. She says quite a few women golf lovers she knows are just office workers.

"Playing golf is not as expensive as some people think," Zou says, adding that it costs only a few hundred yuan every time to play.

However, China still lags far behind when compared with the developed countries, where many ordinary people enjoy the game.

Li Xuelin, in her 30s, and a housewife in Beijing, first played golf when she lived in the United States in 2001. She returned to China in 2004, only to find few golf courses or women players.

The situation has changed for the better since 2008, but golf is still a sport for the minority in China, while in countries such as US and South Korea, it is very popular among the public.

Li also worries about the negative impact of the national crackdown on illegal golf courses, as some people may mistakenly associate golf courses with corruption.

Wang Liwei, vice-chairman of China Golf Association, points out that, after the clean-up, new regulations on the standards of golf clubs and detailed rules on course constructions will be issued to benefit the game's healthy development in China.

He also says the association is determined to promote the sport in China, especially among women amateurs.