The R&A has published a new manual that aims to help golf clubs and golfers improve pace of play.

The Pace of Play Guidance Manual will be distributed to every golf club in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the 152 affiliated organisations of The R&A.

The three key areas of pace of play – management, course set-up and player behaviour – are all addressed in the manual, which follows on from an extensive international survey by The R&A on this topic conducted in 2014/15. This research found that 60 per cent of golfers said they’d enjoy golf more if they played in less time.

“There is no doubt that pace of play is a key issue for golf today and one on which many golfers have strong views,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A. “Through the research exercise and the conference we gained some valuable insights into the views of players, administrators and officials involved in all levels of golf. We fully recognise that in a sport as diverse as golf there is no one-size-fits-all approach and so the new manual outlines approaches which have proved to be effective and offers some thoughtful solutions to day-to day pace of play challenges which can arise in golf. We hope the manual will prove to be a useful reference guide for clubs, competition organisers and players alike.”

In recognition of the challenges golfers are facing when it comes to finding time to participate and play, The R&A recently launched a new nine-hole championship with the aim of helping to promote nine-hole golf.

The Pace of Play Guidance Manual from The R&A can be downloaded here.