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Numbers are very important in golf. It is different from many sports because the lowest score wins. The fewer shots you take, the better you are.

Not only do you have to concentrate on hitting the ball and getting it into a hole, but at the same time you have to do lots of counting, sums and planning your way around the course.

• Each hole has a par - this is the number of shots in which the hole is meant to be played. There is a mixture of par 3, 4 and 5 in 18 holes, depending on the length of the hole. When you add up each hole's par - you get a par for the course.
• So that people of all abilities can play against each other fairly, golf has handicaps. A handicap is a number that you have to subtract from your score at the end of the round. Beginners usually start with a high handicap of 28 or more - this means that they normally take 28 more shots than par to get the ball around the course. As you get better, your handicap gets less. Professionals do not have handicaps as they all play from the same level.
• Counting your score - From the first shot you hit on the tee to the last putt into the hole you have to count each and every shot, big ones, small ones, even if you try to hit the ball and miss! The better you become the easier this gets because you hit fewer shots to count!
• Adding up your score - At the end of a round of golf you must count up all 18 holes of your score to get a gross (total) score. Not only this but then you have to subtract your handicap amount to get your net score.

Some examples of the life skills that golf can instil:

• Social Skills
  As a junior golfer you get the opportunity to play with boys, girls, parents and grandparents and therefore learn to communicate and socialise accordingly with people of all ages and social backgrounds.

  Doing well and winning is great... until it is time to do the dreaded "thank you speech" in front of lots of people - young people, old people, important people and friends. Your heart beats quickly, you go red in the face and have butterflies in your stomach. At the time it is a scary thing to have to do, especially as a young person, but now it has given me the confidence to speak up in front of people, especially in work.

• Respect and etiquette
  In golf you have to learn when it is your turn to play, your opponents turn to play, when to hold the flag, to shake hands and lots more.

  Whilst playing a round of golf, even when you want to win and beat the person next to you, you still have to respect others and have good manners. When you are waiting for other people to hit the ball you should stand still and be quiet so you don't distract them. You also must wait until it's your turn to hit the ball. The person furthest away from the hole always goes first. It is your duty to hold the flag on the green for your playing partners and always remember to shake their hand and say thank you at the end. This is the same whether they are older, younger, better or worse than you!

• Honesty
  When playing golf you keep a score of how many shots you hit around the course. It is up to you to count these shots, the good and the bad ones! The person you play with will have your scorecard to record your score, but you must tell them how many shots you take on each hole. There is not usually a referee in golf therefore you must always be honest to yourself and others.
• Self Discipline
  In golf there are hundreds of rules, far too many to remember off by heart, but they make sure everyone plays fair. It is important to learn the basic rules of golf and abide by them at all times.

  For example, keep quiet when others are playing, to add penalty shots if you hit a ball into a hazard (such as a pond), to have no more than 14 clubs in your bag and to rake the bunkers after hitting your ball out.

  Once you have finished playing your round of golf you must sign the scorecard that your partner has been using to keep your score. This ensures that you have checked the right score has been kept and signed to it. If you do not do this you will be disqualified. Even when you forget accidentally to sign your scorecard you can be disqualified.

  In order to get better at golf it's important to practice. Sometimes this can be lonely and somewhat boring but if you want to get better you must do it. A bit like revising for exams!