Staffordshire golf course Beacon Park is backing a national campaign to speed up the sport. The course can be found in the heart of Lichfield and is the perfect place for would-be golfers who are new to the game or those looking for a place to sharpen up their short game.
Now the pay and play facility is offering Golf Express – which promotes 9-hole golf to inspire busy people to play more often. On average, a 9-hole round can be played in just two hours, during which time a player will walk two to three miles, take more than 5,000 steps and burn more than 450 calories.
As part of the initiative, Beacon Park is offering a loyalty card – which offers six rounds for the price of five, Monday to Friday. Find out more at www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk/golf
Owned and managed by Lichfield District Council, the mature 18-hole, par 3 course has holes ranging from 90 yards to 110 yards. It is one of the few municipal courses remaining in Staffordshire.
With the council’s Leisure Activity Passport, a 9 -hole round costs just £3.60 (£4.20 without) while a child/concession round with LAP is only £2.60.
Says Lyn Hammant, Historic Parks Manager: “Golf Express offers busy people the chance to play the game in half the time. We are promoting this offer to local businesses, with the aim of encouraging office workers to get off the screens and onto the greens in their lunch breaks.”
The nationwide launch of Golf Express by England Golf followed a successful eight-month trial in Staffordshire when more than 4,600 9-hole rounds were played.
Ben Johnson, England Golf County Development Officer in Staffordshire, said: “Time constraints are a common reason why people don’t play golf, but Golf Express is designed to break down that barrier and help people to fit the game into today’s busy lifestyles. Playing nine holes still brings many health and social benefits and makes the game accessible to a wider audience.”
Clubs across the country are now promoting 9-hole green fees and offers to players on the GolfExpress9.org website which also features special offers.
Follow GolfExpresss on Twitter: www.twitter.com/golfexpress9
Like Golf Express on Facebook: www.facebook.com/golfexpress9
England Golf www.englandgolf.org
Staffordshire Golf Development Group www.staffsgolfpartnership.com