The R&A has introduced a new “fair competition policy” that will see eligibility rules changed for transgender athletes competing in their events from next season.
From the start of 2025, a golfer entering female professional and elite amateur championships organised by the R&A must have been female at birth or transitioned to female before the onset of male puberty to be eligible to compete.
Players assigned male at birth and who have experienced male puberty are ineligible to compete in these events, but can enter male professional and elite amateur championships organised by the R&A.
"We have carefully reviewed the best available medical and scientific advice relating to participation in elite and scratch level golf competitions by transgender athletes," Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said.
"We decided that updating our entry conditions to preserve fairness in our female professional and elite amateur championships is the right thing to do.
"While we believe that golf should be open to all and are committed to developing the sport, we recognise that we have a duty to ensure that in our elite competitions players can compete fairly and equally."
The updated policy would rule out eligibility for trans golfer Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the US Women's Open this year by one shot and has also tried to qualify for the LPGA Tour ahead of next season.
The policy was developed following consultation with medical and scientific experts, who have reviewed the best available research on transgender participation in high performance sport. Evidence showed that golf is a gender-affected sport, in which male puberty confers a performance advantage.
These requirements will not apply at a recreational level, where the sport supports inclusivity through the World Handicap System, which enables golfers worldwide to play and compete together on a fair and equitable basis regardless of age, ability, background or gender.
The new policy follows those implemented on the LPGA Tour, who said earlier this month that athletes who are assigned female at birth are eligible to compete on the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, and in all other elite LPGA competitions.
Players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible to compete, with the USGA introducing a similar "Competitive Fairness Gender Policy" that will take effect from the 2025 championship season.
