MALIBU-style surf culture has arrived at Sherfield Oaks.

The club in Sherfield-on-Loddon recently took delivery of their new GolfBoards and dozens of golfers have already given the innovation the thumbs-up.

Sherfield Oaks is among three Crown Golf clubs to introduce the boards which have been described as part Segway, skateboard and buggy.

They are the brainchild of fitness tycoon Don Wildman and fellow American big wave surfing legend Laird Hamilton.

According to Sherfield Oaks general manager Richard Woolley, the GolfBoards, which are on a trail at the club, has been proven to dramatically speed up pace of play, with rounds of golf averaging under three hours.

He said a GolfBoard is essentially a large, four-wheel motorised skateboard.

Users mount their golf bag on the front, grab the vertical handle, and speed off down the fairway leaning left and right to steer.

“GolfBoard devotees call it surfing the earth,” said Richard.

“Early feedback from our golfers is that ‘golfboarding’ is a lot of fun, and I have to say that I agree.

“Yes you can play much faster, which is good for everybody, but even more importantly the GolfBoards are creating more smiles, more laughter and more enjoyment whenever golfers jump on and start to ride.”

Richard continued: “Golfers start out sceptical, but they come back every time and people are now coming here to play just because we have GolfBoards to rent.

“They make golf fun, even if you happen to be playing badly.

“They bring a new dynamic to the sport and I’m sure they will continue to be popular.”

With safety in mind, golfers are asked to perform a supervised figure-of-eight manoeuvre in an open space when they first rent a GolfBoard.

They must also watch a GolfBoard operations video prior to their first rental, and there is also a disclaimer to sign.

We’re excited about them here at Sherfield Oaks,” said Richard.

“They are very easy handle and they definitely add a fun dimension to every round of golf.”

The GolfBoard trial at Sherfield Oaks will last three months, and if it is successful the club plans to offer GolfBoards for rental throughout 2016.