LAUNCH OF MILLENNIUM EDITION "RULES OF GOLF"

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and title sponsors, Royal & SunAlliance Insurance plc, today gave details of the new millennium edition of the Rules of Golf. These will come into effect on 1st January 2000.

The R&A is one of the game's two Rules-making authorities, the other being the United States Golf Association, and the new edition of the Rules is the product of four years work by both organisations.

The relationship between Royal & SunAlliance and the R&A dates back to 1908, when the first pocket versions of the Rules were distributed to golf clubs in the UK. Nowadays, nearly four million copies of the booklet are produced and, with the exception of America and Canada, are sent to all English-speaking countries in the world. Golf clubs and societies provide the final link in the distribution chain, enabling golfers to receive a copy of the Rule book free of charge.

The Rules of Golf remain fundamental to the game. They provide the framework wherever it is played - from Scotland to Singapore - and by whosoever - from the club golfer to the top professional. It is the self-policing nature of the game and its rules which distinguishes golf from other sports and which makes the mass distribution of the Rule book so important. For the 2000 Rules, substantive changes have been kept to a minimum, but a number of Rules have been amended or re-drafted in continuance of the policy of making the Rules of Golf as clear and concise as possible.

Commenting on the announcement, John Hymers, Royal & SunAlliance's Sponsorship manager, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this long partnership with the R&A, and even more so now that it has been extended to the millennium edition. The major benefit which it brings to us is strong name and brand awareness with a key segment of our target markets, both corporate and personal, on a global and continuing basis."

David Rickman, Rules Secretary of the R&A, said: "The R&A is committed to preserving and enhancing the integrity of the game and its Rules. We are most appreciative of the valuable assistance we have received from other golfing bodies throughout the world and we are delighted that Royal & SunAlliance has chosen to continue its long-running sponsorship of the Rules of Golf."

Principal Changes