Royal and Ancient Golf Club one amongst the worlds oldest and most influential golf organizations formed in 1754 by 22 noblemen and gentlemen at St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, because the Society of St. Andrews Golfers. It adopted its present name in 1834 by permission of the reigning British monarch, William IV. The R&A played a serious role in the early development of golf. Since 1764 its famed Previous Course has been played nine holes out and nine holes back, making the now standard 18-hole round.

Within the late 19th century the Royal and Ancient Golf Club became the sole authority on rules of the sport in Great Britain and therefore the Commonwealth. In 1919 it took over management of the British Open and amateur championship tournaments. It sponsors many international competitions, as well as the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup matches against U.S. teams. It additionally maintains close contact with the United States Golf Association and alternative national federations for functions of unifying rules of international play.