The inaugural GolfSixes event, featuring a prize fund of €1 million (£851,000/$1.1 million), is set to make its debut from May 6 to 7 at the Centurion Club in English city St Albans.

The two-day event will feature two-man teams from 16 different nations, each of which will be represented by its leading ranked and available European Tour member from the 2017 Exemption Category List as of March 13, and a compatriot of his choosing from within European Tour membership.

The first day’s play on May 6 will see the teams split into four groups of four before the top two teams from each group progress to the knock-out stages, all of which will be contested on May 7.

In the group stages, three points will be given for winning a match with one point given for a draw.

The matches themselves will be played in a greensomes match-play format, with both players in each team hitting tee shots on each hole.

The best tee shot is selected and then the team alternate for all subsequent shots required to complete the hole.

One point is awarded for each hole won, with the winner being the team with the most points after six holes.

Both days' play will be shown live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and around the globe on the European Tour’s world feed network.

"We have said for some time that golf needs to modernise and introducing innovative new formats is a major part of achieving that aim, which is why I am delighted to announce the launch of GolfSixes today," Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour, said. 

"We want to broaden the appeal of our sport to the millennial demographic and I think this format will do that, not only through the quick and exiting style of play, but also with the interactive digital experience fans will enjoy on site and the innovative television coverage people will enjoy at home.

"We are also delighted to have brought a country-versus-country element to the fore.

"There is no question that the greatest atmosphere in golf comes every two years at The Ryder Cup and we are keen to try and emulate that national fervour in this format.

"We are in the entertainment content business with golf as our platform and GolfSixes is the perfect illustration of that.

"I encourage everyone, whether they are a golf fan or not, to come along to the Centurion Club in May and immerse yourself in an occasion which will be unlike anything else you have experienced on a golf course before."

There will also be much for supporters to enjoy at the Hertfordshire venue’s centrally-located fan zone.

In addition to amphitheatre-style stands around the tees and greens, there will be music and pyrotechnics on the first tee and at various points around the course, with all players microphoned up in an attempt to help bring fans closer to the action.

Players will also be encouraged to interact with the fans during play and in the intervals between their matches, including taking part in question and answers sessions in the fan zone.

It is hoped live streaming on social media will also further enhance the spectators’ experience and maximise reach.

The interactive digital fan experience will feature polls, user-generated content and unique social media content, while broadcast items will include Point of View (POV) cameras, caddie cams, unique camera angles and on-course player interviews.