A GOLF course on 15 acres of land? When Christy O'Connor Jnr first heard of the initiative - aimed at bringing golf to the masses and, especially, to built-up urban areas - he was highly sceptical.

Yet, the former Ryder Cup star has been won over to such an extent that O'Connor, a noted golf course architect, actively promoted the concept when "Golf Courts - A New Dimension in Golf received its Irish launch in Jury's Hotel yesterday.

"I see tremendous potential for the concept, not just in Ireland and Britain but throughout the world," said O'Connor. "It is an ideal way for newcomers to golf to learn the game and also for experienced players to play when under pressure of time constraints."

A "Golf Court" is designed to provide a full, 18-hole course - with a series of Par 3s, Par 4s and Par 5s - on a compact site. While a normal course averages around 150 acres, a "Golf Court" (featuring four greens and eight separate tee areas) can be developed using less than 15 acres. The design allows up to three simultaneous matches of two, three or four players with players charged on an hourly basis, rather than per round.

The idea was developed by Farel Bradbury, an English systems analyst and designer, who suffered a stroke in 1988 and was encouraged to take up golf. He subsequently developed a course adjacent to his house. It is estimated that a "Golf Court" can be built, with greens to USGA specifications, for £150,000.