Nearly 3 in 4 Scots think Muirfield Golf Club's vote to ban women members in May has been "damaging to Scotland's reputation", a new poll suggests.

The Survation survey revealed that 74% of Scots think the East Lothian club's decision has damaged the country's reputation, with 12% disagreeing. An additional 14% either expressed no opinion or answered "don't know".

The poll also indicated 78% believe women should be full members of Scottish golf clubs with equal standing to men. Only 7% of those surveyed opposed this position, while 15% had no opinion or said they didn't know.

The survey was commissioned by campaigning website 38 Degrees following Muirfield's vote in May against permitting women members.

The golf club's decision resulted in the R&A stripping it of the right to host the Open Championship, and led to a flurry of criticism from politicians, commentators, and leading figures in the sport.

2014 Open Champion Rory McIlroy said it was "not right to host the world's biggest tournament at a place that does not allow women to become members", adding: "Hopefully they can see some sense and we can get it back there one day."

A spokesman for David Cameron said Muirfield's stance on women members was "outdated" and that the Prime Minister believed "sports clubs should be open to both sexes".

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that the decision was "indefensible", adding in a later statement: "I understand and accept that, as a private club, it is for Muirfield to decide on its membership.

"But at a time when Scotland is a country where women can get to the top in politics, law, business and other fields, this sends the wrong signal."

A two-thirds majority of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG) was needed to vote in favour of allowing women members, but the final result of the postal ballot fell just short of this requirement, with 64% of eligible members voting yes.

36% of members voted against permitting women members.

Spokeswoman for 38 Degrees Maggie Chao said: "The majority of Muirfield's members actually voted to admit female members.

"As this poll makes clear, the overwhelming majority of Scots believe that women should have the same standing as men in all of Scotland's golf clubs.

"This poll gives the club an opportunity to revisit their decision and bring their membership policy into line with what most Scots - and most of their members - want."

Survation polled 1019 Scots between May 27 and June 2.