if people are athletic, have good hand/eye coordination and learn the basics of the swing early, they can play well. I didn't break 90 for 6 months after starting, mainly due to chipping and wedge deficiencies, but rarely shot over 82 or so the next spring. That was on muni courses from the blues.
Then I joined a small club, and my handicap jumped several strokes. It was harder and bad habits got worse.
I have teetered between an 8 and a 13 for the last 10+ years.
Some people can play, some can't. I know guys that have been playing for 20 years, but can't break 90. That's the game.