DENISE VAN OUTEN loves golf so much she wishes her first date had been on the course!

The stunning theatre star and former Big Breakfast host is a golf fanatic and heads up the links whenever she can.

1 Denise Van Outen wants people to get out there and play some more golf Credit: Las Colinas

But it was seeing a loved-up pair on the practice ground that made her wish she had started playing more recently than three years ago.

Van Outen said: “Last weekend I was on the range and saw a young couple next to me. They were clearly on a first date.

“The guy was showing the girl how to hit balls. It was really sweet. And I thought, ‘I wish someone had done that for me on a first date’. It was lovely and a really nice thing to do.”

No surprise then Van Outen is backing American Golf’s Free Golf 2017 initiative.

Aimed at men, women and children of all ages, the drive will allow people to play, get lessons, enter competitions and go to shows all for free.

Get your free golf balls thanks to American Golf AS action at The Masters tees off, ­American Golf — Europe’s No1 golf retailer — is launching the UK’s biggest ever Free Golf initiative. To help Sun readers get into the swing of things, we’re giving away a three-ball pack of amazing Srixon ­UltiSoft balls — worth £6.50! Srixon UltiSoft balls provide the ultimate in feel, perfect for all-rounders and improvers. A super-low compression core, Srixon’s softest ever, a soft cover and 324 dimples — means longer, straighter hits and short-game control. The initiative is named FREE GOLF, giving men, women and children of all ages and abilities the chance to pick up a club for free. It includes three FREE rounds nationwide, free lessons, free entry to golf shows, free events and free tournaments so now there’s no excuses not to hit the fairway. Find out how to enjoy free golf at The Golf Show by American Golf, Sky Sports and European Tour (London ExCeL - April 7-9) and ­collect your free ticket on the door. Visit americangolf.co.uk for more info. To claim your free pack of golf balls, cut out the voucher in today's (Thursday) Masters pullout in The Sun and take it your your nearest American Golf store. T&Cs Offer available from April 5, 2017 to April 19, 2017 and is subject until stocks last. Offer limited to one pack per customer. Offer can be redeemed in any of American Golf’s UK & Ireland stores (offer not available in Isle of Man). To redeem offer an original, hard copy of the newspaper voucher with barcode (not photocopy) must be taken in-store during opening hours. This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. UK & Ireland residents only. Over 18s only. No cash alternative available

Latest figures show the number of people playing is at the lowest since records began, with 2,785,000 taking to the course last year.

And Van Outen insists the scheme, which launches tomorrow, will help banish golf’s stuffy image once and for all.

She said: “I’ve been playing for nearly three years and I stumbled upon it because one of my girlfriends played.

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“I was single and wanted something to occupy my time. I ended up getting lessons just to fill time. But I fell in love with it.

“I wish I discovered the game years ago. It’s such a good game for your mind. To me, it’s like a form of meditation.

“You go out there and forget about everything. I also like the fact it’s a long game. But when you’re playing it goes by fast.

“It would be really nice for more young people to play. They’d be surprised. It’s not a stuffy game. It still has a bit of stigma but it’s not just old people who play golf.

Denise Van Outen's Masters tip EVERYONE has their pick for the Masters, but as everyone knows there can be only one winner. Here, golf-mad Denise Van Outen lets you know who she thinks will be slipping into the green jacket on Sunday evening. Denise said: "I can't wait for the Masters to start and was so excited for Danny Willett when he won 12 months ago. "The thing with watching the top pros is they just make it look so easy. "Whenever I watch them I want to get out on the course - but then I remember what I'm really like! "Danny won last year but he's not playing so well now and is not going in as one of the favourites. "So I will pick Rory McIlroy. He's amazing. He stays so calm under the most intense pressure and I want him to complete the Grand Slam."

“Niall Horan from One Direction has opened the door and so has Justin Timberlake. All these people wouldn’t play if it was a boring game.

“This initiative introduces people to the game and I’d put money on a lot of them going back for more.

“And you can keep playing until you’re in your 80s.

“Seeing old people out there, you think it’s saying something about its health benefits. I’ve seen Bruce Forsyth on the course and he looks brilliant!”

DENISE VAN OUTEN is hosting The Golf Show at London ExCeL (April 7-9), where American Golf’s FREE GOLF initiative is being launched. For tickets or more info, visit www.americangolf.co.uk