Yes

One of the very best things about the post-lockdown return to golf was the rapid flow of play golfers enjoyed at courses up and down the country. This speeding up of our great game was largely triggered by the majority of us only in two-balls.

A commonly cited obstacle for those considering taking up golf, or taking on a club membership, is the length of time an 18-hole round takes. Two-ball-only golf could remove this barrier, sparking life back into the game and drawing people in.

Completing rounds in three hours or less post-lockdown was a breath of fresh air. Already keen golfers relished the lack of waiting on tees and fairways while receiving a clear demonstration of how golf might be changed to appeal to more of the population.

For a glorious spell, people were able to fit golf into their day, rather than golf consuming their day. Golf returned to being simply a fun, healthy and fast-moving activity, rather than a time-sapping commitment.

In terms of socialising, golfing in a two-ball is not found wanting. It provides a real opportunity to chat properly to an individual, either to catch up with, or get to know them.

For those who really want to play in their usual four-ball, then why not try foursomes? It’s a great and underplayed format and it allows for even faster rounds if done properly. Alternatively, play in twos and meet up after the round to debrief.

Historically, a large proportion of golf was played in two-balls or foursomes and round times were rarely over three hours. Somewhere golf lost its way, but coronavirus has provided an opportunity for the sport to get back on track.