Opening Golf to the World
About The R&A
Opening Golf to the World
Uniting through governance. Inspiring through world class championships. Leading by shaping golf's future.
About The R&A
The R&A's purpose is to open golf to the world.
As custodians of the game, our aim is to unite golf and golfers through common rules and governance, inspire through the staging of world class championships including The Open and AIG Women's Open, and lead through working to shape the future of golf with our partners.As participation numbers continue to rise, we want even more people playing and engaging with golf in all its forms across the globe. Golf is in our DNA and we firmly believe the sport has a transformational impact on individuals and communities.
In the next five years we will work with our partners to attract 22 million additional golfers, generate more than £1.5 billion in economic benefit through our championships, create more than £25 billion in social value, establish more than 200 strategic partnerships and generate more than 5 billion fan interactions.
"By uniting the sport, inspiring through world class championships and leading with purpose to broaden access and champion sustainability, we can secure a strong future for golf for generations to come."
Mark Darbon
Chief Executive of The R&ARules and Governance
The R&A unites golf and golfers through governance of our sport. Our approach is grounded in the history and traditions of golf, but we are progressive and flexible in governing a modern sport in all of its forms.
This is achieved through setting adaptable and well-understood Rules of Golf that ensure golf is played consistently worldwide, a universal handicap system where all abilities can fairly compete, forward-looking equipment standards which recognise the balance between innovation and skill, and trusted golf ranking systems.
The R&A also provides leadership in new and alternative formats, including indoor simulator golf, adventure golf and driving range participation, which are attracting millions of participants.
This is achieved through setting adaptable and well-understood Rules of Golf that ensure golf is played consistently worldwide, a universal handicap system where all abilities can fairly compete, forward-looking equipment standards which recognise the balance between innovation and skill, and trusted golf ranking systems.
The R&A also provides leadership in new and alternative formats, including indoor simulator golf, adventure golf and driving range participation, which are attracting millions of participants.
Championships
The R&A's aim is to inspire through the staging of world class championships including The Open, the AIG Women's Open and some of the world's leading amateur events.
The Open is golf’s original championship and one of the world's greatest sporting events. The Championship has been played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, with qualifying events on every continent. The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush attracted 278,000 spectators, generating more than £280 million in economic benefit for Northern Ireland according to independent research commissioned by The R&A and Tourism Northern Ireland. The R&A also oversees the AIG Women’s Open, one of the five major championships in professional women’s golf, attracting competitors from across the world. It acts as a championship to inspire all ages and is played at leading venues.
While building on the success of these world class Championships, The R&A's wider championship portfolio will also be optimised, with new formats developed to connect with emerging audiences.
The Open is golf’s original championship and one of the world's greatest sporting events. The Championship has been played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, with qualifying events on every continent. The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush attracted 278,000 spectators, generating more than £280 million in economic benefit for Northern Ireland according to independent research commissioned by The R&A and Tourism Northern Ireland. The R&A also oversees the AIG Women’s Open, one of the five major championships in professional women’s golf, attracting competitors from across the world. It acts as a championship to inspire all ages and is played at leading venues.
While building on the success of these world class Championships, The R&A's wider championship portfolio will also be optimised, with new formats developed to connect with emerging audiences.
Playing Golf
Working closely with partners, The R&A aims to use its role as custodians of the game to lead the sport into the future, help it grow and ensure long-term sustainability.
We can only achieve this in collaboration with others and are proud of our global relationships, at all levels of the sport, and commit to operating in partnership to underpin the health of golf for generations to come.
A key focus will be opening golf to new audiences and under-represented groups , particularly women and juniors, while providing expertise around high performance, especially in developing territories. New technologies will be identified and deployed in order to support federations and enhance golfer experience.
The R&A will continue to be a leading advocate for the benefits of golf, built on world class research and insight.
We can only achieve this in collaboration with others and are proud of our global relationships, at all levels of the sport, and commit to operating in partnership to underpin the health of golf for generations to come.
A key focus will be opening golf to new audiences and under-represented groups , particularly women and juniors, while providing expertise around high performance, especially in developing territories. New technologies will be identified and deployed in order to support federations and enhance golfer experience.
The R&A will continue to be a leading advocate for the benefits of golf, built on world class research and insight.
WAGR®
World Amateur Golf Ranking®
The World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) comprises a women’s ranking and a men’s ranking for elite amateur players, administered by The R&A and the USGA. WAGR currently incorporates over 7,100 events with over 8,300 players.
Our Heritage
Emanating from the rich heritage of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, formed in 1754, The R&A has evolved to play a global role in the sport.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was founded on 14 May 1754, with the first Challenge for the Silver Club. Evolving over 250 colourful years of British history, it has grown from a small society into a club with 2,500 members worldwide.
The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 to take on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport. The World Golf Museum in St Andrews is part of The R&A group.
In 2017, The R&A merged with the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) and now stages the AIG Women’s Open and amateur championships and international matches for women and girls.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was founded on 14 May 1754, with the first Challenge for the Silver Club. Evolving over 250 colourful years of British history, it has grown from a small society into a club with 2,500 members worldwide.
The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 to take on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport. The World Golf Museum in St Andrews is part of The R&A group.
In 2017, The R&A merged with the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) and now stages the AIG Women’s Open and amateur championships and international matches for women and girls.
Annual Review
Learn more about the work of The R&A across Governance, Golf Development, Professional and Amateur Championships, Sustainable Golf, Technology and more.
Recruitment
Work at The R&A
The R&A employs staff in a diverse range of departments including: Championships, Rules, Development, Sustainability, Equipment Standards, Commercial, Legal, HR, Finance, Corporate Communications and Heritage.
We are always on the lookout for talented individuals who wish to develop their career at The R&A. If you meet the requirements for any of our available roles then we encourage you to submit an application.