The BBC's James Pearce reports on the threat to golfing traditions

Some clubs do not allow women members, while others have men-only areas and restrict the time that women can play.

The move comes after the historic decision by the Marylebone Cricket Club last month to admit women.

The Lord's-based MCC buckled with threats of losing vital lottery cash if it continued to exclude women.

Now the EOC wants private members clubs to treat women the same as men as part of a comprehensive overhaul of sex discrimination laws.

Tee'd off: Women golfers want equal access to the greens

Private members clubs that admit both sexes are currently excluded from the Sex Discrimination Act.

At Warley Park Golf Club in Essex women are banned from the course on a Saturday morning until 11am.

Now women members want change.

Linda Beaney said: "You have to be here on the dot of 1100 and then you might just be lucky enough to get 18 holes in.

"I think if one is prepared to pay the same subscription as the men who are allowed to go out earlier, women should be allowed too."

At the moment women who work during the week have to pay for a seven-day ladies membership, just to play for two afternoons at the weekend.

The club has little sympathy with their complaints.

Stephen Greene: People are aware of the restrictions

Stephen Greene, managing director of Warley Park, said: "People are aware of the restrictions we have at the club, whether it be for ladies or colts, or whatever and people join knowing those restrictions."

Some clubs still refuse to admit any women at all and others have men-only bars.

A large number of clubs bare a close resemblance to that portrayed in Audi's TV car commercial. The tongue-in-cheek advert shows male golfers, who, it is implied, are not Audi drivers, speaking out against women.

The EOC, which has received hundreds of complaints about golf clubs, wants to bring all strands of sex discrimination, including the Sex Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act, European directives and case law together.

Spokeswoman Kim Scanlon said: "The Sex Discrimination Act has been around for nearly 20 years and the complaints are increasing in this area.

Men may have to make way on the fairway

"Women in the workplace are getting greater opportunities - why shouldn't this extend to their leisure time?"

If the government accepts this argument, golfing traditions built up over more than a century will have to be abolished.

But some golfers will certainly not go down without a fight.

Last year Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs outraged female golfers by accusing them of offences ranging from ignorance of the rules and etiquette of the game to "taking over everything like cockroaches".

Women golfers, he concluded in an article in Shires Golfer, were a pain.

Their presence on the tee and in the committee room was "an abomination".

Rachael Heyhoe Flint, former international cricketer and a member of South Staffordshire Golf Club retorted: "Honestly, it's sad and pathetic.

"It's not even accurate. The one thing women are strong on is etiquette, the rules and behaviour on the course."