"These rules play an important role in protecting the integrity of our self-regulating sport but the code must evolve to meet the needs of the modern game"
New research figures revealed by The R&A and Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) show golf has enjoyed a significant increase in popularity worldwide since 2016 with over five-and-a-half million additional golfers taking up the sport.
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, stripped of his military roles and royal patronages, which now seriously calls into question his patronages at a number of golf clubs.
Prince Andrew has been involved in a scandal with Virginia Guiffre, who claims she was sex-trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001.
A former Royal cop has said he would have knocked out Prince Andrew if asked to retrieve his stray golf balls, saying: "I'm from the East End, I wouldn't stand for that."
Prince Andrew has already had his membership at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews relinquished, and he has lost his membership at another big course.
Gemma Hunter, the Head of Handicapping and Course Rating at England Golf, believes the World Handicap System has been successful since it was introduced in November 2020.