London, England: Golf Express, the campaign to encourage busy people to play all the game in half the time, is underway.
Golf Express promotes nine-hole golf and also encourages players to enjoy after-work roll-ups.
It’s currently running across Staffordshire as part of an England Golf project to increase participation and club membership and was officially launched at Uttoxeter Golf Club.
More than 40 people joined the club’s weekly roll-up – and then followed-up with a sociable get together and prize-giving in the clubhouse.
Uttoxeter member Paul Shaw said: “Many golf clubs have run this type of nine-hole event over the years, but it is brilliant that now England Golf and Staffordshire Golf have put a national brand behind it.”
Uttoxeter is one of 20 clubs across the English county of Staffordshire which are backing Golf Express by offering nine-hole green fees and a loyalty card to encourage golfers to play more often. If they play five rounds, they get the sixth free.
Twelve of the clubs are also offering golfers the opportunity to play in weekly, after-work roll-ups. These are open to non-members, a handicap is not essential and players will be paired up with other golfers for the fun competitions.
Gareth Shaw, Staffordshire County Development Officer, said: “This is what golf is all about, having time to play the sport we all love and also having time to socialise with friends following the round.”
Iain Lancaster, Regional Manager for England Golf, added: “The time it takes to play the game is a barrier to the sport. We are hoping that by marketing the message that you can play shorter rounds to suit your available leisure time, we will attract new players and lapsed golfers – and encourage current golfers to play more often.”
Golf Express is part of an England Golf project which is trialling innovative ways of increasing golf club membership and participation in the sport. It recognises that most people’s leisure time is reducing and for many it can be as little as two hours a day.