The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (or R&A for short) is not only one of the oldest golf clubs, but also the governing body of golf in much of the world. It is based in St Andrews, in Scotland, regarded as the home of golf. Although the club house is situated on the Old Course of the St Andrews Links and the R&A members enjoy the privilege of using a significant part of the tee times there, the R&A does not own the course, which is run by the St Andrews Links trust, a charitable organisation.

The R&A is the ruling authority of golf everywhere except the United States and Mexico, where this responsibility rests with the United States Golf Association (USGA). The R&A cooperates with the USGA in producing and regularly revising the "Rules of Golf" and the corresponding exegetic work, the "Decisions on the Rules of Golf". It is also involved in formulating technical specifications for golfing equipment. The R&A organises several important competitions including "The Open Championship" (known in North America as the "British Open").

The organisation was founded in 1754 as the Society of St Andrews Golfers, a local golf club playing at St Andrews Links but quickly grew in importance. In 1834 King William IV became its patron and the club became known under its present name. In 1897 the Society codified the rules of golf, and was gradually over the next 30 years invited to take control of the running of golf tournaments at other courses.

External links

• R&A Website, including the Rules and Decisions of Golf (http://www.randa.org/)
• Open Championship Website (http://www.opengolf.com/)