Golf Express – which promotes 9-hole golf to inspire busy people to play more often – is being rolled out nationally by England Golf.
The launch coincides with this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and follows a successful eight-month trial in Staffordshire when over 4,600 9-hole rounds were played.
Now clubs across the country are invited to join the campaign and promote 9-hole green fees and offers to players on the GolfExpress9.org website.
Justin Rose, an England Golf ambassador, often plays 9 holes in practice and describes Golf Express as: “A great way to play all the game in half the time.”
On average, a 9-hole round can be played in just two hours, which can fit into a busy lifestyle, and it offers all the health and social benefits of the full game. In a 9-hole round a player will walk two to three miles, take over 5000 steps and burn over 450 calories.
The appeal of the 9-hole game, which is compatible with the Rules of Golf and the handicap system, has also prompted the R&A to launch a new 9-hole championship for amateurs and Scottish Golf is also promoting the shorter format.
To mark the national launch of Golf Express, England Golf has re-imagined the results of the Major championships of the past five years to find out how they would differ if played over 9 holes.
If the Majors had been played over the front 9, Tiger Woods would have won two more titles – an Open and a Masters. If they’d been played over the back 9, Lee Westwood would have won a Masters and Justin Rose would have added another Major to his 2013 US Open title.
England Golf’s Club Services and Development Director Richard Flint said: “This research shines a light on the 9-hole game and I hope it encourages more people to get into golf.”
Golf Express offers places to play across the country through its online directory at www.golfexpress9.org which also features special offers. Golf clubs are invited to upload their offers via www.englandgolf.org/clubhouse and to take advantage of packs of marketing materials.
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