Well folks, it finally had to happen, a complete and utter newbie on the site!
I have played a lot of various sports in my time, but now old (middle!) age has sneaked up on me, and can no longer last 90 seconds on a soccer field, let alone 90 minutes...so, as I have played a lot of 'virtual golf' on the computer, I have never got around to the real thing...until NOW! I was recently gifted a set of clubs, which, although not 'fitted' to my swing (as I havent even GOT a swing yet!) should suffice to get me started.
My problems are twofold...
1) my lifestyle precludes a lot of freetime...
2) my budget precludes expensive club membership and tuition fees.
SO...the bottom line is....what can people suggest would be a suitable course of action to allow me to develop enough to be able to enjoy the real game as much as I enjoy the virtual one?

thanks for ANY useful advice!