The need for separate rules for elite and recreational players isn’t a new debate among the golf hierarchy. By one sport insider’s account, discussions, at some points heated, have been ongoing for nearly 30 years with game purists most often triumphing over ‘outside the box’ advocates. Two decades ago, there was little dialogue between ruling bodies and the makers of golf gear. But times, they are a changing, impelled by a pivotal crossroad in the sport’s long history.

While emerging markets such as China, Brazil and India stand to be “needle movers” 20 years from now, there is a current crisis ... Log in to view full article.