An American golf club hoping to attract more players to the game has come up with a novel way of doing so, by creating a shorter course to make things easier for beginners.
Ted Kruger, co-owner of Tierra Rejada Golf Club, hopes The Players Course - 500 yards shorter than the shortest championship tees - will enable people to enjoy playing.
"Golf has become too tough for too long," he told the Moorpark Patch. "It's become challenging to the point we might have lost players over the years.
Asked what newbies and returning players are looking for a in a round of golf, he replied: "They want to come out and have fun and hone their skills."
The initiative has been endorsed by the PGA and United States Golf Association, as well as record major championship winner Jack Nicklaus.
He said in an official PGA announcement that too often, golfers want to "bite off as much of the golf course as they can".
"What ends up suffering is their scorecard and overall enjoyment," he added. "This programme should help stimulate people to play the proper tees and maximise the golf experience."
News brought to you by Golf Online, your online shop for golf equipment including
golf clubs,
golf clothing and
golf balls