Certain things spring to mind when golf is mentioned. Without second-guessing, I’d wager that youth, athleticism, fitness and women are, unfortunately, none of those things. Whether golf is valued as a sport or not (a question that must wait until another time), one thing is clear: the game is played almost exclusively by slightly-balding, estate-driving, middle-aged men.

Golf has always seemed to be one of a handful of sports that are resistant to change. With the modern world progressing at an ever increasing rate of knots, the typical Sunday-morning scene at golf courses around the country seems plucked straight from the 19th century, when the game was first played competitively. Switch tweed jackets for garish multi-coloured polo shirts, cotton flat-caps for Nike polyester visors, and the smoking pipe for a chocolate bar, and you’ll have created the perfect 21st-century golfer.

Of course, it’s easy to mock, but to do so would be blind to the immense respect that the sport has. It’s an ultimate test of technique, stamina and mental strength. In fact, as with many sports, part of its allure comes from controlling the demons between the ears; a typical tournament lasts for four days, 72 holes, and hours of gruelling hard work can unravel with just one loose stroke. The pure sporting theatre that surrounds a tense final-day play-off or Ryder Cup singles match – I point you to the Miracle at Medinah in 2012 – is unlike any found in the world of sport. Perhaps it’s no surprise that golf has stood the test of time.

However, while preserving the charm and tradition of the sport has long since been a priority for golf clubs around the country, not least golf’s governing body, the Royal & Ancient (R&A), it appears as though things are slowly changing.

“There is no doubt that the stodgy progress by which the sport is currently played at the highest level is something of a turn-off for the more action-seeking television fan”

There have been grumbles for a few years now about whether the current format of the major tournaments is preventing a new breed of fans from being attracted to the game. For those unfamiliar, most tour events take place over four days, 18 holes each day, with a ‘cut’ after the first 36, whereby the players on the lower half of the scoreboard are eliminated. This has been the case for decades.

There have been growing concerns about the issue of slow play; year on year the average time for a round steadily rises, with players agonising over every shot. Horrible stagnation of play has inevitably resulted, especially in the earlier rounds where tee-times are so congested. Of course, the R&A has since taken action, with new rules and guidelines published last year. A move that may also be considered, if round times do not improve, would be a 54-hole cut, which would inexorably speed up the final day, where the real tense drama tends to unfold. There is no doubt that the stodgy progress by which the sport is currently played at the highest level is something of a turn-off for the more action-seeking television fan.

Australian Brett Rumford claimed the inaugural ‘World Super 6’ title last week. This was the European Tour’s trial of a new event format, which involved three usual rounds and two cuts, with final positions decided by knockout six-hole ‘playoffs’ between the top 24 players. This drastic move brings golf more into alignment with sports such as athletics or football, where early efforts are purely for qualification purposes, with winners decided on the final day. This represents a huge shift in the mental side of the game, where tactics and efforts must now be asymmetric: every stroke no longer counts equally. Early opinions are broadly positive, and it is hoped that this format will excite and entice a new crop of followers of the historic game.

The Olympic Committee’s decision to re-instate golf as an Olympic sport caught many as a surprise. Format was always going to be a talking point, with a more standard four-round stroke play event being decided upon. Fortunately, this decision was wholly vindicated with a stunning final day duel between Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and eventual winner Justin Rose. When the Rio games are looked back upon, not many would have guessed that one of the most memorable moments would have come on the putting green rather than the running track.

So in terms of the future of the sport, it looks as though a more dynamic, fast-paced style is beginning to spread. Time will tell, but early signs are that this move will be nothing but beneficial for the growth of the game in the long run.

Joe Root’s appointment ushers in a new era of optimism for England

In recent weeks, however, headlines have centred around the gender equality in the sport. One of the most historic clubs on the Open rota, Scotland’s Muirfield, recently voted against the inclusion of women members. This sparked understandable outrage across the sporting world, and quickly prompted the R&A to removed Muirfield of the right to host any further Open championships. 

Similarly, as it stands, Tokyo will not be able to host an Olympic golf event unless the host course changes its female member policy (currently they do not accept women members, or allow women to play on Sundays). The Olympic charter on equality is firm and clear, and they are rightly bringing this failing within the golfing hierarchy to light.

So, while the sport itself is set to enter a new era, its authorities still have a lot of work to do to reinvigorate golf as a family spectacle. Muirfield is set to hold another vote soon, and I’d be surprised if the Japanese surrender the opportunity to follow up Rio’s undeniable Olympic success story.

Hurry up though, chaps, the world won’t wait