The first written rules of golf were made in 1744. Only 13 rules were written for a competition organised by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

By the 1800s, golf had become very popular and it was felt by many that a governing body for the game was needed. Many people began looking to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club for guidance. Other clubs were beginning to follow the code of rules made by the R&A. After much debate about the best way forward it was decided to appoint a committee to organise the rules of the game. This was made up of R&A members who had the final say about the rules of the game. The first meeting of the Rules of Golf Committee was September 28 1897.

Today, the Rules of Golf Committee is responsible for the rules of golf throughout the world.

Things to think about

Why do you think standard rules of golf were needed? What kind of rules would you have made?