R&A launch 'nine is fine' campaign ahead of The Open at Royal Troon

Golf bodies in Great Britain and Ireland are getting together to promote nine hole golf as a quick and enjoyable way to play golf either socially or competitively in a new digital campaign.

A video promoting nine hole golf featuring leading men's and women's players, including Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer, Matteo Manassero, Catriona Matthew, Charley Hull and Mel Reid is being launched today.

The film will be promoted on websites and through social media by England Golf, the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Irish Ladies Golf Union, the Golf Union of Wales, Scottish Golf, the European Tour, the Ladies' European Tour, the PGA, Sky Sports, the Golf Foundation and The R&A.

Many of these bodies support nine hole events and The R&A will stage a new nine hole championship on Saturday at Royal Troon ahead of The 145th Open. A group of 30 amateur men and women golfers will play in a nine hole handicap pairs competition at the historic Ayrshire links just days before the world's leading golfers compete in golf's oldest championship.

Duncan Weir, the executive director of Working for Golf at The R&A, said: "We are delighted to be working closely with the other organisations to promote nine hole golf as a perfectly valid form of the game. We want to remind people that they can enjoy golf in less time whether playing socially or competitively.

"There are more and more nine hole events throughout the country and we certainly support this format as a great way of playing golf."

The players appearing in the film are: Carly Booth, Mel Reid, Charley Hull, Barry Lane, Justin Walters, Thomas Levet, Christina Kim, Catriona Matthew, Justin Walters, Nicolas Colsaerts, Martin Kaymer, Matteo Manassero, Jamie McLeary, Dame Laura Davies, Thomas Levet, Austin Ernst, Thorbjorn Olesen, Padraig Harrington and Romain Bechu.

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