Best way to learn golf - beginner lessons and such?

One on one coach for the basics, thats how I went.

Find something decently priced at first. There shouldn't be a real reason you pay for an expensive instructor when anyone can teach you the basics.

Don't use a driver, or possibly even a 3wood. Learn to tee off with a 5wood for now, and once that is consistent, go to the 3wood and only when you are feeling really confident should you start mastering the driver. Contrary to everything you see online touting drivers as the second coming, they are exceptionally difficult to control consistently. More likely than not, you'll be better off hitting a straight drive with a 3wood rather than a driver that goes 20yd farther but is 50yd to the left.

Learn to master short putts. When I started I thought I needed to make those huge PGA type putts that sportscenter is always touting, but you'll realize just how many strokes you can save by never missing those 5' putts. It is pretty amazing. So just practice, practice, practice those short ones.

Set your first goal at breaking 100. This is going to take awhile, but the best way to shave strokes off your game is all in the short game. When I learned to play golf I could not drive exceptionally well, but my iron play and short games were phenomenal. I made up tons of strokes where it counts while my friends would all post 1-2 strokes higher per hole but were out-driving me.

90 should be your ultimate goal. Unless you play quite often or really have a knack for the game, 90 is quite acceptable. This averages a bogie per hole which is really pretty good. If you can consistently shoot around 90 you really have nothing to be ashamed of. Contrary to what everyone on the internet may tell you, the average golfer shoots quite a bit above 100.

And overall enjoy it. Golf can be either a very relaxing endeavor, or (as Winston Churchill said) "the best way to ruin a good walk." I generally bring a cigar along with some beers for any outing with my normal 4some. The other 3 are pretty terrible, but I've been helping them along and they're breaking 100 now with some decent frequency. Just learn to laugh at yourself and don't expect much. You aren't Tiger.

Every golf course near you has a pro. Find one and take 5 lessons. There's your program.

+1. I wouldn't go with a specific program, I'd just go to your local club or driving range and book in a couple of lessons with the local pro. You shouldn't even need too many clubs, and they'll probably let you demo the ones you do need (most likely will start off with a 5 or a 7 or something around there).

I spent much of my life hating golf, but I've really come to enjoy it (having started recently). It's basically like going for a walk somewhere that's deliberately kept beautiful for your pleasure with a couple of buddies, but you get to hit a ball with a stick every once in a while.