England Golf revolutionise Winter golf...

England Golf come up with a revolutionary idea to get people out on the golf course in Winter time. They are,.... errmm... saying it would be a good idea to play,... errm... nine holes... instead of 18. As it's cold and that... People are getting paid for this...

Amanda McGuigan playing nine holes yesterday: "I had no idea it was even possible. I can't thank England Golf enough"

It’s so easy just to go into winter hibernation and long for spring and the Masters. But as long as it is dry, winter should be a great time to get the sticks out. And by focusing on a nine-hole, two hour format; it’s just the little nudge that we need to head us in the right direction – which is, of course, the golf club.

England Golf have figured this out and in a bold (some might say reckless) move, they are showcasing the same Golf Express initiative they ran last year, in which several clubs offered nine-hole green fees and golfers were able to complete a round in less than two hours. Just in case they couldn't have figured that out for themselves.

James Spencer, 60, from Ipswich said: "A friend called me and told me about the new England Golf initiative. I was just about to settle down for an afternoon with Downton and a luxury size bag of Taytos. 'Bugger that!', I thought. If there's such a thing as nine holes of golf, I'm in!. We had a great time and the extra two hours provided the perfect opportunity to get rat-arsed in the clubhouse afterwards. Magic."

“Winter is here and the days are short,” revealed an England Golf spokeswoman. “But thanks to the Golf Express initiative the golfing season is being extended.

“Golf Express promotes nine-hole golf – all the game in half the time – and, although the temperatures dropping, golfers don’t have to hibernate.”

18 golf clubs across Staffordshire are offering nine-hole green fees, providing opportunities for golfers to keep playing during shorter daylight hours and enjoying the health and well-being benefits of the game.

Gareth Shaw, Staffordshire county development officer, said: “People tend to play less golf in the winter – but this isn’t the case in Staffordshire. Golfers in the county can reap the health and well-being benefits of winter golf. It’s the perfect tonic for beating the winter blues and boosting energy.

“Wrapping up warm and getting out in the fresh air for a game of winter golf can be really invigorating and good for your health.”

Whatever will they think of next?

Here's another way to stay warm on the course: Speed Golf