A FOREST of Dean golf course plans to pioneer a new big-prize golf craze which is sweeping America – speed golf.

And it is offering Spanish holiday prizes for individuals and team members who play their way to the top on grand final day, November 13.

"It is simply great fun," said the professional at the Forest Hills course, Richard Ballard. "It is very exciting – the fastest way around a golf course.

"We saw it in America where it is very popular and thought it was time we introduced it here – we are the first in this country, so far as I know. We'd like all golfers in the area, young and old, to come along and have a try."

He explained that the contest stayed within the rules of British amateur golf by not offering prize money to attract professional players.

"We are looking for four-person teams – young, old, men, women, youngsters – who have to play a full 18 holes within a time limit of an hour and 47 minutes.

"While some might achieve this target it is more than likely that most players will over-run the time and then penalties of a point for every minute over the limit apply. The teams points are added and divided between the individuals after the game.

"Normal Stableford scoring applies to all the games and so the top teams and individuals will emerge over the next few weeks. They will meet on Grand Final day which we expect to be a big event at the course, with plenty of supporters for the teams and spectators."

Richard said games would be fitted into normal play at the club with the scores officially recorded. Stewards would be inspecting play at various stages so that there was no possibility of cheating.