In order to fulfil its responsibilities the R&A evaluates golfing equipment to confirm conformance with the Rules of Golf. In addition, the R&A carries out significant research on the physical abilities and characteristics of golfers at all lev-els of the game. The Equipment Testing Centre currently under construction at Kingsbarns, St Andrews, is intended to provide a world class research facility at the “Home of Golf” to allow the R&A to enhance and develop its position at the forefront of golf-related scientific research and development. The new building provides accommodation for the testing of golf clubs and balls in a static and dynamic context. An indoor testing range al-lows balls to be launched in a variety of condi-tions and monitored by a digital tracking and filming system based on missile tracking tech-nology. The location of the building on Kings-barns Golf Links practice range allows for both human and robot testing of equipment in a natural golfing environment. The human testing bay also allows for research into the biomechanics of the golf swing. Infra-red cam-eras and floor mounted force plates can digital-ly capture the physical movement of the body during the golf swing. The R&A works on a PhD programme with Queen’s University in Belfast to continue research in this field.