R&A
Sports abbreviation · Sports Governing Body
| Stands for | The R&A |
|---|---|
| Categories | Sports |
R&A stands for The R&A, a sports governing body abbreviation.
Golf's rule-making body everywhere outside the United States and Mexico, which writes the Rules of Golf with the USGA and organizes the Open Championship, the oldest of the four men's majors, plus the Women's Open and leading amateur events.
Example: Royal Portrush hosted the R&A's Open Championship for the third time in 2025.
Usage notes
Based in St Andrews, Scotland. The R&A was separated in 2004 from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, a private club founded in 1754 that had long run the rules and the Open. The Open was first played in 1860 at Prestwick. "The R&A" is now the organization's full official name.
Related abbreviations
More sports governing body abbreviations
- IPC – International Paralympic Committee
- IRB – International Rugby Board
- ISU – International Skating Union
- ITF – International Tennis Federation
- NOC – National Olympic Committee
- OFC – Oceania Football Confederation
- UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale (International Cycling Union)
- USADA – United States Anti-Doping Agency
- USGA – United States Golf Association
- USOPC – United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee
- USTA – United States Tennis Association
- WADA – World Anti-Doping Agency