“I do believe in time the Olympic gold will become the most important event in golf and I don’t believe it will take that long,” said three-time Major winner, Padraig Harrington. In the four years between the Olympics there will be 16 Majors, so winning gold will be that much more special.”

 

Michelle Wie, arguably women’s golf’s highest-profile player, agrees: “It would be the highest achievement for every golfer. Winning an Olympic medal will be the highest point you could reach. Competing for your country would make the stakes that much higher.”

 

"It’s the biggest sporting event on the planet. I’d love to be involved in it, love to win a gold medal,” explained Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell. It’s every young man’s dream, huge for golf around the world. Fingers crossed I get a chance to do it."

 

But despite the lure of a gold medal, it is the wider benefits to the game of golf worldwide that have excited many players, federations and associations alike. Due to the fact that, in many countries, sports funding is allocated on the basis of Olympic inclusion, golf initiatives around the world can now realistically hope to receive greater government support.

 

 

The prospect of further improving the universality of the game is the core reason for India’s leading professional, Jeev Milka Singh, being so thrilled about the decision. His goal of bringing golf to all levels of Indian society will be brought even closer as a direct result of inclusion.

 

“Golf not being an Olympic sport, we have not been getting any funding from the government,” he said. “I think what happens after that [golf becoming an Olympic sport] is the government is going to allocate land in each and every city to have a public driving range so that a normal human being can go there and try a hand at it.”

 

“That’s when its going to be really big in our country. It’s the fastest growing sport in our country but it’s the only way this game is going to get famous and close to cricket. Our population is more than a billion and I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of talent out there.”

 

Golf’s Olympic inclusion is, without doubt, a fantastic achievement for the game. “The IOC recognises the merit of golf as a global sport, and that golf's traditions and inherent ideals embody the Olympic spirit,” said Jack Nicklaus, the most successful player in the history of the game.

 

"I am proud of golf's united front and all the players and organisations… and all those who, like me, believe so strongly in our sport…which have supported this co-ordinated campaign.”