This section introduces the main governing and official bodies which are of interest to golfers. It has set itself the task of promoting golf and maintaining it's integrity. These cover both the rules of play and the constraints to which the implements of play must adhere to. The championship committee is responsible for organising the Open, Amateur championship plus youth championships.
Representatives are sometimes on hand at tournaments to make rule decisions.
In the British Isles, county golf unions come under the jurisdiction of national golf unions which are themselves affiliated to the Council of National Golf Unions. Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales have a national golf union. The Golfing Union of Ireland established in 1891 is the oldest golf union in the world. There is also the Ladies Golf Union which looks after the special interests of ladies golf. Their terms of reference are generally to promote amateur golf, administrate the handicap scheme and organise amateur championships.