[2][3] Despite this legal separation, one of the club's objectives remains to contribute, through its members, to the governance, championship organisation, and golf development roles now carried out by The R&A.

Gradually over the next 30 years, it was invited to take control of the running of golf tournaments at other courses.

St Andrews Links are public golf courses, and must share the tee times with members of other local clubs, residents and visitors alike.

In 2012, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on the club to abandon this in favour of a non-discriminatory policy,[6] as did Louise Richardson, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews.

[8] In February 2015 the club's first female honorary members were announced – Anne, Princess Royal; Laura Davies; Renee Powell; Belle Robertson; Lally Segard; Annika Sörenstam; and Louise Suggs.