Only two per cent of golfers prefer to play courses of more than 7,000 yards, according to Steve Otto, the R&A’s director of research and testing.

Otto, speaking at the KPMG Golf Business Forum, showed survey findings that suggest the overwhelming majority of golfers opt for courses of less than 6,500 yards.

Otto told the conference that, at professional tour level, there had been two major spikes in driving distance, during the mid/late 1990s, after the introduction of large metal-headed clubs, and in the early 2000s when new ball technology became available, but that distance gains have now levelled off. He said the R&A had not ruled out changes to the Rules of Golf in relation to ball technology if further increases in distance should ensue, but that the organisation does not see the need at the moment.