The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews stands in the historic town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Founded in 1754 as the Society of St Andrews Golfers, it became known as the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1834 when King William IV granted it royal status. The clubhouse sits just behind the first tee of the Old Course, though the club itself owns no part of the St Andrews Links. These public courses include the Old Course, where golf has been played since the 15th century. The club’s role changed in 2004 when The R&A took over tournament organisation and governance, though the club still supports these efforts through its members. The club is famous for shaping golf’s rules and major championships. In 1897 it codified the rules of golf, and for decades it ran prestigious tournaments such as The Open Championship and the Amateur Championship. The Open is one of men’s golf’s four majors, while the Amateur was once among the top four before professional golf grew dominant. The club also organised events like the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup, biennial amateur team competitions against the United States. In 2026–27, Claire Dowling will become the club’s first female captain, marking a step in its evolving membership. Visitors to St Andrews find eight public golf courses managed by the St Andrews Links Trust, including the Old Course. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s members-only clubhouse overlooks the first tee, offering views of the historic links. The town itself blends medieval streets with golf’s heritage, and the courses remain open to all players through shared tee times. The club’s history is visible in its traditions and the trophies it has hosted, from The Open to the Vagliano Trophy for women’s amateur teams. Though the club is private, its influence shapes golf worldwide, from rule-making to international competitions.