The Royal and Ancient Golf Club as the name suggests is listed as one of the most ancient and prestigious golf clubs in the world. This golf club is based in St. Andrews, Scotland and is honoured as the home of golf. This organisation was founded in 1754 as a local golf club and later King William IV became its patron. Initially it was responsible for the sport of golf as it was the governing body which also kept a check on the types of permissible golf clubs use by golfers in the game. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf association purport rules for the shape and characteristic features of the golf clubs used by golfers. In 2004 its role of handling the sport has been transferred to the group of committees collectively known as the R and A.