By Iain Carter BBC Five Live golf correspondent

Five Live's golf correspondent Iain Carter suggests it's time that European Tour bosses take the lead and adopt a stringent drugs-testing policy.

The European Tour is developing a policy on drugs in golf but isn't yet sure whether this will mean testing will become the norm for touring professionals.

Golf stands out from most other major sports because it doesn't have a drugs-testing programme, although competitors were tested last week at the amateur World Team championships in South Africa.

European Tour chief George O'Grady

The only drugs tests carried out on the European Tour are in countries like France, where they are required by law.

Tour Executive Director George O'Grady has confirmed: "We are evaluating a drugs policy in agreement with the Royal and Ancient.

"But jumping into a policy without it being thought through is just too fast."

"Policy" seems to be the key word because O'Grady refuses to say whether that will mean that mandatory testing will come in.

He admits: "To go to the Olympic code is unrealistic for modern day golf because it's a different kind of performance. We don't think we have a problem in golf."

But the fact is the game is becoming more and more about power.

And while, like O'Grady, I don't think the sport is being played by drug cheats, I do think that each and every player should be safe in the knowledge that they are not teeing off with someone on steroids.

There's only one way to establish such facts and that's by bringing in a drugs testing programme.

The Tour would be going out on a limb were they to do this because their American counterparts show zero enthusiasm for such a move.

About as enthusiastic as O'Grady is to see Michelle Wie have another crack at the European Masters next year, it would seem.

The Tour boss has already held talks with sponsors Omega after she finished last in the tournament in September.

He believes the Crans course, as presented for the event, is too difficult for any female golfer and says: "She should not be put through that torture again."

Edfors seemed to shine more in higher profile tournaments

While on one hand the idea of professional golf is to win as much money as you can, there must be some merit to this argument.

Imagine if Johan Edfors had won the Volvo Masters, which was a distinct possibility on Sunday morning.

He would have added that title to the Scottish Open, British Masters and the TCL Classic, a highly impressive list of victories.

Having said that, for much of the year his game went AWOL and the Order of Merit is as much about consistency as anything else.

Pete has written in to ask why the 2007 European season starts on November 9, 2006, in Shanghai? There's a simple answer for that Pete - money.

HSBC are prepared to put up the cash but in return they want legitimacy.

The European Tour can offer that and by going beyond their continental borders they can offer gainful employment to their members all year round.

But it does make it difficult for fans to understand and follow and to have just a single week between seasons is ludicrous.

Meanwhile, Jonathan asked why Paul Casey was only credited with Euro 597,883 for the World Matchplay victory that swelled his bank balance by �1m.

This was because it is deemed that a massive prize from a field of such a limited size (16) would unfairly alter the complexion of the Order of Merit race.

Rose could be one to break Europe's Major drought in 2007

Andrew in Leeds noted that I felt Europe's major drought may end next year but that I failed to name names.

He wants me to stick my neck out. Well frankly there are several candidates: Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Carl Petterson and Justin Rose.

And finally for now, a former European Ryder Cup star claims to have emailed this column - but his message never got through. We're all intrigued!

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