In dealing with the subject of admitting women to golf clubs, readers might be tempted to check their calendars to make sure it is 2016 and not some peculiar year from a decade long past.

Today, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, based at Muirfield, East Lothian, announces the result of a ballot on admitting women members. A sizeable lobby opposes the move, which requires a two-thirds majority. In a letter to members, the “No” campaigners laud the idea of “traditional resistance to change” and cite the “inevitable risk” that admitting women members would entail. Pity the poor men of Muirfield: subject to yet another variety of Project Fear.

Meanwhile, on the west coast, the Royal Troon Golf Club has been consulting its members prior to a similar vote taking place in the summer. Here, lately, there have been positive noises, with the club captain saying the institution should reflect “the modern society in which we exist”.

In Scotland, nowhere is modern society reflected more clearly than in our political leaders, with three women heading their respective parties. Nicola Sturgeon, Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale have all suggested they would boycott the Open, hosted this year by Royal Troon, if the men-only rule isn’t ditched. They highlight the absurdity whereby women can run a country but cannot join a golf club.

Reverencing the past is not an ignoble attitude. But clinging to it leads to decay and ridicule. The resistance at Muirfield and Troon inspires images of sideboard-sporting men, reeking of Old Spice and wearing the latest in flared slacks, sauntering into the club bar for a bottle of Blue Nun and a packet of Capstan cigarettes from a barman reading Men Only magazine as he whistles a hit from Showaddywaddy.

This is unfortunate. It is time for these otherwise great golf clubs to join the 21st century. Time for Muirfield and Royal Troon to man up and admit some honourable company.