A modern take on the traditional game of golf, which combines social media, has secured investment from a North-East business fund as well as business angels.

Net60Six offers players the chance to play 60 shots in 60 minutes on a specially-designed course for driving ranges,

Net60Six is planning to use a £500,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Technology Fund to roll-out its creation across the UK, starting in the North East.

The £25m Technology Fund, managed by IP Group, is one of seven under the banner of the £125m Finance for Business North East super fund, formerly called Jeremie, and invests in technology businesses which are based in, or are willing to relocate to, the North-East.

The business, which has also secured £230,000 from a number of business angel investors, plans to open an office in Newcastle and its first course in the region within weeks.

It will create eight new jobs in 2012, taking its headcount to 11, and will grow to employ 20 people by 2014.

The course is identical at each location, allowing players at different venues to compete in the same game, thereby enabling the creation of an online golf club using mobile phones and tablets.

Craig Higgs, Managing Director of Net60Six, said: "In no way are we trying to replace or redefine golf as a sport - we are hoping to open up golf to a whole new audience and the online aspect means that people across the UK will be able to take part in the same game."

Ian Wilson, investment manager at IP Group, said: "Net60Six is an innovative concept which has addressed all the barriers to the traditional game of golf to come up with something accessible and entirely new.

"Coupled with a strong business model and management team, we are confident in its future."

Law firm Watson Burton advised Net60Six in securing the investment.