Golf's rules are jointly governed by the R&A - an organisation whose roots stem from the original Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews - and the United States Golf Association (USGA), although the USGA's jurisdiction over the enforcement and interpretation of the rules is limited to the USA and Mexico.

The national golf associations of all other countries use the rules of the R&A, which has evolved from humble origins to become the leading authority on the game in the world.

There are over 125 national unions, associations and federations affiliated to the R&A and these bodies are responsible for administering the rules of golf and the rules of amateur status, as laid down by the R&A, at national level.

The R&A also administers the annual Open Golf Championship, as well as being responsible for the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations.

There are several professional golfers' associations in the world, most notably the Professional Golfers Association (Great Britain and Ireland) and the Professional Golfers Association of America. The women's equivalent is the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Although these associations were originally established to cater for the needs of tournament professionals, most now focus their work upon supporting teaching professionals, attached to individual clubs, and the Tours which include the PGA acronym the PGA European Tour and the US-based PGA Tour have evolved to become separate organisations.