PowerPlay Golf: Nine Holes - Two Flags - Go-for-broke Scoring

Golf’s global ambassador Gary Player will headline a field of other headline-makers set to launch an intriguing new format for golf on May 30 at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. It's the first of a series of three unique televised tournaments featuring PowerPlay Golf, a new short form of the game designed to make it more exciting, telegenic, and--most importantly--faster to play. Joining Player in the initial event will be reigning U.S. Open Champions Graeme McDowell and Paula Creamer, Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, and Major Championship winners John Daly, Ian Woosnam and Helen Alfredsson.

PowerPlay Golf is played over nine holes where two cups are cut into each green. Players use a limited number of "PowerPlays" to score extra points when playing for the harder black flag in a scoring format based on the Stableford system. Players who score a net birdie or eagle on a "PowerPlay" get double the Stableford points of the player who goes for the white flag. Each player must designate three of the first eight holes for "PowerPlays" before teeing off.

It's decision time on the ninth tee. The player can either protect his or her score and play it safe to the White Flag or go for a final bonus PowerPlay to the Black Flag for a potential last-hole points boost scored as a normal PowerPlay. The kicker is, if they score net bogey or worse on that hole, they get hit with a three point penalty. It should make for some exciting finishes.

This initial tournament, PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and other networks elsewhere. The second event will be held November 7 in Asia and November 25 in the US. Saab sponsors the initial telecast and IMG Sports is backing the venture in partnership with Convers Sports Initiatives, a Russian sports promotion firm.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.