Golf has a wide range of bodies that administer aspects of the game. But there are only two governing bodies that determine and define what golf is and how it is played.
These bodies are the R&A and the United States Golf Association. The USGA has jurisdiction in the United States and Mexico; the R&A for everywhere else. These two bodies work together to draw up a single agreed code for the Rules of Golf, equipment standards and the Rules of Amateur Status.
