Would you like a hint?

The group of people benefiting most from online dating probably has nothing in common with recently turned golf professional Michelle Wie - other then their shared love of golf. While many would consider Michelle Wie to be a beautiful person, she is just a bit young for the fastest growing segment in the online dating world today.

In September Yahoo! Personals announced the results of its third annual Singles Voice Survey. 2,000 single people took the survey and the results were published at the beginning of National Singles Week.

The study found that the number of single people over fifty using online dating services is on the rise. Just over 75% of the single people who responded to the survey said they were serious about finding a long-term relationship.

Which group of people is leading the way in online dating?

45-49 year old singles represent one of the fasting growing segments of the online dating world today. People who are in the 40-50 age-range also make up one of the single biggest groups in the golfing world as well. Unfortunately, a majority of these people would consider Michelle Wie much to young to date. While age is just a number for many single people, 50% of the respondents in the Yahoo! survey said that it is acceptable to date some one up to ten years their junior.

When you think about how busy most people are today, the success of online dating makes perfect sense. Lets face it, most people in their forties and fifties are probably fairly busy people. Depending on the statistics you want to use, 30-40 % of this particular demographic are probably single parents, working 45-55 hours per week, have a mortgage they are desperately trying to pay down and many see retirement as something just around the corner.

If you are forty something, or fifty something for that matter, life is probably fairly busy for you right now.

Given the choice, many would probably prefer a beautiful day on the golf course getting to know some one rather then having to yell at some one in a crowded and smoky bar. As a result more and more people are turning to online dating as a way of helping them expand their social network. Online dating can be a very convenient way of meeting other people with similar interests and backgrounds.

The average single person spends about one hour getting ready to go out on a date or for a night on the town. In those sixty minutes that it would take you to get ready and go out, you can log on to your favorite dating website, review any number of profiles, have a glass of wine or a beer in your comfy chair and be on to something else before you know it.

Experience, wisdom and the necessity to make use of your time is winning over the hearts of single people in the online dating world. According to Yahoo!, busy people are beginning to see the benefits of online dating. Almost half of the respondents in the survey said they enjoy being able to make their own schedule and not have to consider any one else. Sure it is fun to go out for a night and meet interesting people but it takes up a great deal of time. Unfortunately, time is something most of us dont have enough of. Online dating can be quicker and much more convenient. Sure there are complaints about a small group of people who lie about their profile but then again, the lies are flying fast and furious in most small bars on any given Friday or Saturday night as well.

So if you are busy and dont have enough time to be out socializing on a Friday or Saturday night and you want to try your hand at online dating, you should keep in mind the two most important things online single people are looking for in a potential date a great personality and a sense of humor.

According to Yahoo!, 71% of respondents say having a great personality is a major factor when considering someone for a date. Once on a date, 50% of both men and women said that a sense of humor was the most important factor in ensuring a good date. Apart from that, men look for intelligence while women are looking for good manners and chivalry.

Perhaps ladies may find manners and chivalry at www.DateAGolfer.com