The Royal & Ancient Golf Club have voted in favour of allowing women members for the first time in their 260-year history.
The club, which is based at St Andrew's, invited its 2,400 members to vote and more than three quarters of them made their views known.
The historic decision has been made after 85% of the votes backed the call to admit women members at the elite golf club.
Chief executive Peter Dawson is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "This is an important and positive day in the history of the R&A Golf Club.
"The R&A has served the sport of golf well for 260 years and I am confident that the club will continue to do so in future with the support of all its members, both women and men."
Dawson also confirmed that the change will take effect immediately.
