Nine-hole green fees for busy people:  Is this the answer? Golf Express – a campaign to encourage busy people to play all the game in half the time – has been launched in Staffordshire. This campaign, which has been welcomed by Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose, recognises the pace of modern life and offers nine-hole formats that most golfers can conveniently fit into a busy schedule. Golf Express has been backed by 19 clubs across the county, 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. England’s Justin Rose – the world number six – described Golf Express as: “A great way to play all the game in half the time.” 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. Research from Syngenta, the golf course turfcare specialist, shows that 31% of golfers are leaving the game because it takes too long to play and a nin-hole option would encourage then to play more often. David Joy, the Chief Executive of England Golf, commented: “We hope this new initiative will encourage more people to play more often because it makes golf more attractive and convenient for today’s lifestyles”. The clubs involved in Golf Express are: Bloxwich, Branston, Calderfields, Darnford Moor, Dartmouth, Druids Heath, Izaak Walton, Lakeside, Lichfield, Mark Butler Golf Academy, Newcastle, Onneley, Oxley Park, Stafford Castle, Stone, The Chase, Trentham Park, Three Hammers and Uttoxeter To find out more visit getintogolf.org/golfexpress or call 0800 118 2766 Share the conversation on Twitter: #golfexpress Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org