PGA Tour chief Tim Finchem wants to see golf included in the Olympics by 2016.
The merits of golf's inclusion on the Olympic schedule have been discussed in the past and tour commissioner Finchem believes it is now time to reopen the debate.
Decisions on the Olympic programme for 2016 will be made next year and Finchem believes efforts should be made to secure a place for golf.
He believes inclusion would help the development of the game around the world and improve relations between all the sport's governing bodies.
In his blog on the tour's website, www.pgatour.com, Finchem wrote: "In 1993, we actually announced that golf would be in the 1996 games in Atlanta. However, this never materialised for various reasons.
"Since then we have continued to examine the various issues presented by golf being an Olympic sport.
"While there remain questions to be answered and issues to be resolved, I believe the time is now right to move forward."
Finchem accepts much work would have to be done to co-ordinate an Olympic event with all governing bodies and to create space in the calendar.
Yet he feels it is worth striving for and does not believe Olympic golf would detract from any of the sport's other events.
He added: "While golf has many significant events throughout the year, adding golf to the Olympics would provide another dimension to our competitive landscape.
"I do not believe that Olympic golf would have any effect on the stature or prestige of these other significant events, but rather would provide another, complementary opportunity for our players to compete and demonstrate their skills on a global stage."
