Golf Express notches up 1,000

England Golf reports that Golf Express, which encourages busy people to play the game in half the time, has smashed the 1,000 barrier in just two months. The campaign promotes nine hole golf and has proved a success since it was launched in Staffordshire in May. Already, over 1,000 people have taken advantage of nine hole green fees and after-work roll-ups.

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.

Golf Express is being backed by 23 clubs across Staffordshire, offering nine hole green fees and a loyalty card. In addition, 13 of the clubs offer the opportunity to play in weekly, after-work roll-ups which are open to non-members and non-handicappers. The initiative has captured widespread attention and been featured on Sky Sports TV and Midlands TV as well as local radio and national golf media.

The clubs involved in Golf Express are: Barlaston, Bloxwich, Branston, Calderfields, Cannock Park, Darnford Moor, Dartmouth, Druids Heath, Izaak Walton, Lakeside, Lichfield, Mark Butler Golf Academy, Newcastle, Onneley, Oxley Park, Perton Park, Stafford Castle, Stone, The Chase, Trentham Park, 3 Hammers, Uttoxeter and Westwood.

Gareth Shaw, Staffordshire County development officer said, “The response to Golf Express has been fantastic with more than 1,000 people getting involved and clubs across the county offering a new way into the sport for people trying to juggle the demands of family and work life.”