Since the inception of the World Wide Web, online games have been popular. Enthusiasts have embraced everything from online gambling to the Sims and have spent hours playing games either alone or in virtual communities. Sports enthusiasts have carved out their own niche on the Web, with fantasy football and baseball leagues and all types of sports-related online games.

More recently, online golf games have risen in popularity. This could be due to the fact that general interest in the game has risen recently. Although phenom Tiger Woods may not make headline news as he did a few years back, Michelle Wie has taken his place while re-energizing professional golf. The six-foot tall 16-year-old, a native of Hawaii, made news when she turned pro in 2005, then again when she narrowly missed the cut against the men in the Casio World Open.

The beauty of golf is that you don't have to be a pro to enjoy the game. Walking the course, hitting buckets of balls on the driving range, and practicing on the putting green is just as satisfying as playing a round.

When the weather turns inclement, it doesn't mean that you can't roam the course and play eighteen holes from the comfort of your own home. Free online golf games are available at a number of websites, and have a number of features in common. Most free golf games allow you to play at the amateur or professional level (the difference often being how you use the mouse to control your swing), and offer you the choice to play alone or play with a group. Many online games allow you to create a private group so that you can play with friends, family, or duffers you've met online. You can also join a group of online players and make new friends in the process.

Online golf games generally offer you the opportunity to chat in real time with other players and to play in live online golf tournaments. Some even give away cash and prizes to players who do well.