IF the famous quote attributed to American writer Samuel Langhorne Clemens is to be believed, “golf is a good walk spoiled.”

Tynedale’s vast golfing community will no doubt strongly disagree with the novelist, better known by his pen name Mark Twain.

But golfers of all ages and abilities across the district will accept that the enjoyment of a good round can be spoiled by one key issue – slow play.

Golf has become the latest sport to consider changes aimed at speeding things up. Twenty20 cricket and rugby sevens are shorter variants which have already proved successful.

Golf’s governing body, the Royal and Ancient (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) has unveiled proposals to make golf quicker and played under simplified rules.

The proposed changes are now in the public domain for a period of consultation, and are scheduled to be introduced in 2019.

The changes include a time limit of 40 seconds to hit a shot and a reduced limit of three minutes to look for a lost ball.

In addition, players would be allowed to putt on the green with the flag stick in the hole, while a maximum shots per hole limit could also be introduced.

Rules relating to penalty drops after a ball is lost or comes to rest in an unplayable lie, could be relaxed.

The R&A believes speeding up golf will encourage more people to take up the game, and also make it more accessible for those with busy work and family lives.

Richard Hannam, a former chairman and captain of Prudhoe Golf Club, believes many of the proposals would help to speed up play.

He said: “A lot of these proposals are common sense. One is for golfers to play their shot when they’re ready, instead of waiting for their turn to play.

“I think there are some good ideas here, and if we keep educating new golfers on how to keep moving on the golf course, it can be a success.

“If you’re due to tee off first, don’t stand and mark your scorecard. On the putting green, leave your bag or trolley at a point where you will walk to the next tee, and so on.

“It’s simple things like that which keep a game moving, and in the main, these rule changes will complement that.

“Putting with the flag in will reduce foot traffic around the hole, because players and caddies will not have to stand and attend the flag for putts.

“However, I’m sure many players would choose to putt with the flag out, because it makes the hole bigger.”

Richard, a former county player who continues to play at Prudhoe, is not in favour of a time limit for shots.

He added: “I like to take my time on a shot, and I don’t like to feel pressured. I’m also not sure how shots would be accurately timed.

“It takes time for people to get used to changes. Perhaps golf clubs could hold one competition per month to be played under the new rules.

“It’s good to see the R&A and the USGA working together. It could well be that these changes speed up the game and that’s a positive.”

With an average round of golf taking four hours, Richard accepts that the game will never be as quick as a football or rugby match.

Shorter versions are possible – such as nine hole rounds – but by introducing a series of smart amendments, it is hoped the full 18 holes can be played enjoyably and efficiently without frustrating hold-ups.