International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has said that golf's return to the Olympics is crucial if the game is to grow globally.

Golf has not been part of the Olympics since 1904, but will return for next year's Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"I think it was an important step because the growing worldwide representation of golf and the attractiveness to viewer countries. This was the major reason for the IOC to have golf on the Olympic programme," Bach told reporters at a news conference.

"The Olympic Games are about the best athletes of the world coming together, and there we do not need any additional spectacular or great action. To have good sport among the best athletes of the world, of course it would help golf.

"This is what the Olympic tournament is about for golf - to get good worldwide distribution and also the rankings, because for golf and the International Federation, it's a unique opportunity to promote golf on a real worldwide scale. With this you will have golf in more than 200 countries in the world, in every country in the world. You will have billions of TV viewers."

The 2016 Olympics will host a golf tournament for men and women, with both events seeing 60 players contest a traditional 72-hole stroke play tournament.