Most of the advice that follows will apply wherever you play the game. Respect for others and care of the course are both included here.

On the course:

• Respect other users: always remember the needs of others playing the course. Do not use a Mobile Phone on the course!

• Through the Green (from Tee to Green):

  • Allow the player who has the honour (who won the last hole) to tee off first.

  • Don't move, talk or stand close to or behind a player preparing to play.

  • Don't play if any other players, greens staff or members of the public might be within range.

  • When taking a practice swing, make sure no-one could be hit by you or by, eg, twigs and stones.

  • Don't call loudly across fairways as others playing strokes might be within earshot.

  • Be aware of others playing shots on nearby holes.

• On the Putting Green:

  • Mark (behind) your ball if near to or on another player's putting line, if asked to do so or if you wish to clean it.

  • Don't stand behind or in front (ie "on his line") of a player taking a putt.

  • Avoid walking on the line of another player's putt.

  • Normally, it is the player whose ball lies nearest the hole who should attend, or remove, the flag. Always make sure the flag pin is out of the hole by the time a ball putted from the green arrives at the hole.  Lay the flag carefully away from all the lines of putt of those with you.

• Care of the Course:

  • Replace divots and repair pitch marks:

    • It's said that, in summer, a divot not repaired within three minutes will take three months to grow back - it might not be true but it makes the point!

    • It's good practice, on the green, to repair at least one pitch mark more than you yourself made - in other words, look out for those left by others.

  • Don't take bags or trolleys on the greens or tees. Don't lean on your putter on the green.

  • Don't play from Ground Under Repair (GUR), marked temporary greens or the green of a hole other than the one you are playing. Drop to the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.

  • Don't take excessive practice swings, especially on tees.

  • As soon as you have played your ball from the bunker, carefully fill holes and footmarks and smooth the surface. Place rakes outside bunkers where they are least likely to affect play.

  • Carry your litter until you reach a waste bin.

  • Drive buggies with care and keep to designated paths where they exist.

• Avoid slow play

  • At all times, play without delay. Walk briskly between shots.

  • When searching for a ball, signal the players behind to pass as soon as you see that the ball will not easily be found. Don't search for five minutes before doing so. Don't continue play until the players following have passed and are out of range.

  • When the play of a hole has been completed, immediately leave the putting green.

  • Prepare for your shot by selecting your club and cleaning your ball on the tee, the green or under the preferred lie rules, whilst others are doing the same with theirs – don’t wait until they have played to start your own preparations! Be ready when it is your turn to play.

  • Watch all your partners' shots so you can direct them to their ball positions.

  • If your ball could be lost (outside a water hazard or out of bounds), play a provisional ball.

  • Search for your ball before helping other players (sorry if that sounds harsh but it’s aimed at avoiding four consecutive five minute searches on one fairway). Your ball is lost if not found within 5 minutes of you beginning the search.

  • Place your bag to the side of the green closest to the next tee.

  • If your match loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, you should invite the match following to pass. Remember - your place is behind the group in front, not in front of the group behind!

  • At Beauchief, it can help to speed up the round if, when all of your group has reached the 9th green, you stop and call the group behind to play their tee shots. Even though this is a par 3, the nature of the hole means that most players can't reach the green so you will then putt out whilst they walk from the tee.

  • Agree the score of the player whose card you are marking as you leave the green but don’t write (or add) up the card until you are on the next tee and others in your group are teeing off.

  • Even then, if you have the honour, take your shot before taking your pencil out. And don't waste time adding scores on the 10th tee - do it when you have a spare moment which is not delaying play.

• Dress appropriately:

  • On the Course

  • Wear a shirt with a collar or polo neck - not a T-Shirt. Shirts should be worn at all times. Shorts should be tailored and of appropriate length. No beach shorts, football attire, denim jeans, trainers or track suits.  Wear appropriate golf shoes.

  • In the Clubhouse:

  • Clean, dry golf clothes are acceptable after playing. Dirty golf shoes should be removed before entering carpeted areas. Caps should be removed. Smart, casual clothes at formal events.

  • Playing at Other Clubs:

  • Many private clubs require golfers to put on golf shoes in the changing rooms and to change their clothes before entering social areas. Check the rules when you book your game.