Whilst golf is a great game to enjoy once in a while with friends it is still a competitive sport and like any other sport there are ways in which you can measure how good you are. In golf this is known as a handicap. The golf handicap is a measure of an amateur golfer's ability; it allows people of different abilities to play with each other on somewhat equal terms. The higher the number, the less skilled that golfer is thought to be.

As you play golf though your handicap should begin to drop as you become better at taking shots and your score cards showing an improvement too. Many golfers use their handicap as bragging rights and so you may end up with competitive matches between friends who can add a little friendly pressure to the next round you play together.

Lowering your handicap is not something that will definitely happen. As you play, you need to think of the game of golf as being made up of a few individual areas like driving, approach, recovery and putting. Each of these areas can be troublesome for amateurs and not until they fix any kinks or bad habits will they begin to see their handicap drop down to something more impressive.

Driving
Driving or your tee shot is what sets you off for the remainder of the hole, if you miss hit a tee shot you could leave yourself with a huge obstacle to get back on track. Practicing down at your local driving range with each of your clubs you'll use on the tee (driver, woods and irons) will help you notice any problems such as an incorrect stance or grip of the clubs. Driving is a difficult area of golf and so you may need tuition from a pro.

Approach
Approach shots are the shots you'll make to land on the green, depending on the par of the hole this may require one of many different clubs, each one will provide a different loft, roll and angle of which it will approach the green. Practice chipping and pitching shots and try to get the ball to land and stop dead, higher loft and shorter distance shots are more likely to land where you want them to and stick there.

Recovery
Everyone hits an errant shot now and again, landing in the deep rough or the dreaded sand trap. It is how you recover from these shots that will help you get back on track to lowering your handicap. Shots from the rough and sand can take an extra bit of power and loft to get the ball into the air and back on to the fairway for an approach shot onto the green.

Putting
Putting can be a heartbreaking element to the game of golf; just last year at the Open at Turnberry Tom Watson lost out on the claret jug due to poor putting on the final hole. You can practice putting on the putting green at many golf courses but also you can buy putting aids that help you judge the power and angle needed to sink the ball into the cup