Men-only clubs are allowed, unequal treatment of men and women is not

The statement came in reply to Irish MEP Proinsias De Rossa, who asked if such practices would be outlawed by a new sex discrimination directive.

The directive bans discrimination in the provision of goods and services.

"This includes leisure activities such as those offered by golf clubs," said EU Commissioner Vladimir Spidla.

Mr De Rossa tabled his question in the wake of a 2003 petition to the European Parliament by a UK woman, Clare Oliver.

Women's complaints

She complained that many British golf clubs did not treat men and women equally when it came to playing in tournaments or standing for election to club committees.

We think it's time women had equal opportunities and we support the moves by the EU Clare Tyler of the English Ladies Golf Association

The European Commission replied that there were no EU laws in force at the time obliging clubs to apply the same rules to men and women, but it said the directive on equal treatment between men and women in goods and services would plug the gap.

Last year, Mr De Rossa asked for confirmation that the directive would indeed apply to golf clubs, and he got the answer this week.

The news was welcomed by the English Ladies Golf Association.

"We think it's time women had equal opportunities and we support the moves by the EU," said spokeswoman Clare Tyler.

She said restrictions on the times women could play, and access to the bar, were the most common forms of discrimination - and that they particularly irritated the new, younger generation of women golfers.

Some women, usually of an older generation, did not object to restricted access, if their membership fee was reduced, she added.

Single-sex clubs

The directive does not ban single-sex private clubs, which are regarded as legitimate on grounds of the right to freedom of association.

You could have a bridge club for Bulgarians, a chess club for Catholics, a wine club for women or a golf club for gentlemen Irish judge, Mr Justice Kevin Higgins

Mr De Rossa's office said it was unclear how the directive would affect Ireland's exclusive Portmarnock golf club, whose men-only membership policy is being challenged in the courts by Ireland's Equality Authority.

The club allows women to play if they pay green fees, but they cannot join the club or use "recreational facilities".

In a ruling last summer, a judge said there was nothing wrong with people of the same sex, nationality or religion wanting to be together.

Mr Justice Kevin Higgins said: "You could have a bridge club for Bulgarians, a chess club for Catholics, a wine club for women or a golf club for gentlemen."

The Equality Authority is appealing to Ireland's Supreme Court.