Golf Express – a campaign to encourage busy people to play golf – has been launched.

The campaign, which has been welcomed by Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose, recognises the pace of modern life and offers 9-hole formats that most golfers can conveniently fit in after work or at weekends.

Backed by 19 clubs across the county, Golf Express offers 9-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 in the scheme 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.

World number six Rose 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 that 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.

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, 3 Hammers and Uttoxeter

To find out more visit getintogolf.org/golfexpress