SHANGHAI: For pupils bored of the traditional extra-curricular activities, such as violin lessons or drama classes, there is now another option golf.

A Shanghai school has recently introduced the country's first golf lessons, costing 4,800 yuan (US$585) a term, for its pupils.

Five pupils at the Shanghai Yangjing-Juyuan Experimental School have already started the course and it is thought more will join soon.

Golf is often considered an expensive sport, but Liu Weiyao, the officer in charge of the course at the school, said this one was cheaper.

"Tuition can be as low as only 90 yuan (US$11) for one hour," Liu said. At the city's private golf clubs this would cost up to 400 yuan (US$50).

Liu said the school had been preparing for the course for some time.

"In February, encouraged by Shanghai Municipal Juvenile Sports Administration Centre, we decided to set up lessons," Liu said,

"From February, we ran an initial course just for students at our school. Parents have been very satisfied with the course so the school decided to start the course officially for students from other schools as well."

Lujiazui Golf Club, which is located next to the school, offers the training.

Ge Anzhe, a second-grade pupil, is one of those learning to distinguish a wood from an iron.

"The class is interesting," Ge's mother said.

"He enjoyed the preliminary course very much so we decided to put him on the course this semester."

She also pointed out that the cost of the course was not too expensive.

"Compared with many other training courses, such as piano or tennis, the school's golf class compares well," she said.

Normally piano class costs 200 yuan (US$25) an hour.

The chief at Shanghai Municipal Juvenile Sports Administration Centre, surnamed Xu, said the centre supports the course.

"We think golf will be introduced into the Olympics in the near future. We hope we will be able to develop our own Tiger Woods using courses like this," he said.

(China Daily 09/14/2006 page3)