The Japan Golf Council has claimed it has sent a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach proposing an alternative venue for golf at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games than the Kasumigaseki Country Club ©Getty Images

A letter has been sent to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach proposing an alternative golf course is used during Tokyo 2020 because of controversial female membership rules at the current venue.

The Japan Golf Council wants the venue to be moved from Kasumigaseki Country Club to Wakasu Golf Links, a public course on Tokyo Bay located much closer to the Olympic Village.

Women are not currently eligible to become full members of the Ksumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, north of Tokyo.

The 220 female part-members are also banned from playing at the club at specific times, including Sundays.

Eiko Ohya, chairwoman of the Council, which is unaffiliated with the sport's domestic governing body, the Japan Golf Association, said the club's membership policy is "quite contrary to the spirit of the Olympic Games".

Tokyo 2020 switched its proposed Olympic  venue to the Kasumigaseki Country Club in January 2013, eight months before it was elected to host the Games after previously using Wakasu Golf Links in its bid.

"After the Olympics have finished, anyone would be able to play at Wakasu if they wanted," Ohya added.

"But at Kasumigaseki, even if someone wanted to experience playing on an Olympic course, it wouldn’t be possible without an introduction from a member.

"We wouldn’t say no if Kasumigaseki did change its membership policy, but the main objective is to find a comfortable venue for the competition."

Women are not currently eligible to become full members of the Ksumigaseki Country Club which has angered the Japan Golf Council ©Getty Images
Women are not currently eligible to become full members of the Ksumigaseki Country Club which has angered the Japan Golf Council ©Getty Images

Hiroshi Imaizumi, general manager of the Kasumigaseki Country Club, indicated last week that they will consider changing a policy limiting female membership.

Earlier this month, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike asked the Kasumigaseki Country Club to admit women as full members.

"I feel very uncomfortable about women not being able to become a regular member in this era," Koike said.

In May 2016, it was confirmed by the Royal and Ancient that Muirfield will not be considered as a host of future British Open tournaments after the Scottish club voted against admitting women as members.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the owners of Muirfield, announced its decision to retain the club's male-only policy following a ballot of their 750 members.

In August 2012, the first female members of Augusta National Golf Club, venue of the Masters, were welcomed 79 years after the course opened.

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore, a partner of investment firm Rainwater, were the first women to be given memberships.