New teams-based Ultra Golf to launch late 2023

It’s funny what a little competition can do. The mostly stagnate landscape that was professional golf for so long has now been jolted into action by the threat of LIV Golf and players and fans alike will be the beneficiaries.

The Ultra Golf Championship marks yet another move outside the traditional 72-hole strokeplay tournaments, and with action taking place across just nine holes per day, it could prove a big hit for time-poor golf fans.

Ultra Golf Teams (Credit: PGA Australia)

The new teams-based format is set to launch in December 2023 and will feature 10 city-based, four-player teams competing across four days with each team split into pairs in competition.

Scoring will reward aggressive golf with 10 points awarded for a hole-in-one, eight for an albatross, six for an eagle, four for a birdie and two for a par. Four feature holes will raise the stakes including options for longest drive, power-play, alternate-shot and a best-ball.

Ten teams are already signed up including the Bangkok Blades, Delhi Drivers, Dubai Kings, London Lasers, Los Angeles Eagles, New York Tigers, Melbourne Rockets, Shanghai Jets, Seoul Condors and the Tokyo Royals.

“For more than five years, we’ve been working on the UGC as short-formed, strategic and tactical golf tournament,” said UGC founder Deke Smith.

“We are appealing to a wider fan base, giving people a new way to consume their golf, sport and entertainment, and we think that it’s a great way to grow the game of golf.”

“We see this concept appealing to a younger audience because we will see a result in two hours’ of golf. We see parochial sports fans getting behind their own city team.”

“It’s taken us some time to get to this point, but we couldn’t be more excited about what is to come. We think it’s something that golf needs in this country and we’re excited to be delivering it.”

The PGA of Australia will serve as a promoting partner and sanctioning body for the Ultra Golf Championship.