Golf is following the lead of Twenty20 cricket with a new short-form 10-team tournament to be launched in Australia next year.

Described as a "revolutionary new golf format" the Ultra Golf Championship will make its debut in December 2023, with the date and venue still to be announced although a Melbourne course is believed to be favoured to host.

Sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia, there will be 10 city-based teams from around the world, featuring four players, including a marquee captain.

Competing over nine holes rather than the usual 18, the competition is set to be played over four days with the teams split into pairs.

Golfers are awarded 10 points for a hole in one, eight for an albatross, six for an eagle, four for a birdie and two for a par.

There are also four feature-hole opportunities that must be used during the round, including a longest drive, power-play, alternate-shot and a best-ball.

With teams playing seven minor rounds and a final series, there will be 74 matches played over the four days, with the top four playing off in the finals.

While no professional players have yet been linked to the tournament, the 10 teams are named the Bangkok Blades, Delhi Drivers, Dubai Kings, London Lasers, Los Angeles Eagles, New York Tigers, Melbourne Rockets, Shanghai Jets, Seoul Condors and Tokyo Royals.

The overall concept has been designed by UGC founder Deke Smith, with the PGA of Australia a promoting partner and sanctioning body through the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

"We are appealing to a wider fan base, giving people a new way to consume their golf, sport and entertainment, and we think that it's a great way to grow the game of golf," Smith said in a statement.

"We see this concept appealing to a younger audience because we will see a result in two hours of golf."

The UGC follows the launch of the Saudi-backed LIV series which has lured away many of golf's biggest names from the US PGA and European tours this year.