It was the "other" vote on the day Scotland went to the polls and the ayes won it convincingly.

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club's decision to allow female members for the first time in its 260-year existence was the kind of progressive move that will cut golf's governing body a considerable amount of slack.

There is no doubt that the rising criticism of the R&A over this male-only issue from outside sources was undermining its authority as guardians of a global game. Their standing on the world stage made it almost untenable to be discriminatory in any shape or form. That authority - and a much stronger moral footing - is now assured.

The fact that one fevered TV presenter standing outside the grand edifice of the R&A's St Andrews clubhouse yesterday wrongly stated that women were banned from playing on the public Old Course - a statement as wide of the mark as a shanked tee shot - simply highlighted the negative perceptions that the whole issue has created.

Golf, as a whole, was being tarred with this brush of negativity and all the fine work the R&A have, and continue to do, was being largely ignored. This decision is right for the good of the game.

Threequarters of the club's membership took part in the ballot, with 85% voting in favour. There were pockets of stern resistance but given the fairly overwhelming majority, you have to wonder why it took so long in the first instance?

Whether other male only clubs, and Open Championship venues such as Royal Troon, Muirfield and Royal St George's, follow suit remains to be seen but the R&A had to take the lead on that particular front. Peter Dawson, the chief executive, has at times been unfairly portrayed as some sexist ogre but, behind the scenes, he has worked away at getting this historic change through in his final year in office. He will leave a lasting legacy.