First , the Royal and Ancient Golf Club , founded in 1754 , has authority over the game worldwide except in the USA and Mexico . Second , the beautiful links ( acquired by the town in 1894 ) is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship , the oldest of golf 's four major championships . This is in part because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club , founded in 1754 , exercises legislative authority over the game worldwide ( except in the United States and Mexico ) , and also because the famous links ( acquired by the town in 1894 ) is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship , the oldest of golf 's four major championships .