Anyone tried Speed Golf?

I believe that at one point, former AR mile record holder, Steve Scott, held a speed-golf record...maybe not the score, but the time to complete 18 holes.

Scott is also regarded as the founder of speed golf in 1979; on December 2, 1982, Scott set a record for the fastest round of golf played on a regulation course, completing 18 holes in 29 minutes, 33.05 seconds at Miller Golf Course in Anaheim, Calif. Using only two clubs and running from hole to hole, he posted a respectable score of 95.[3]

It obviously depends totally on the course. A golf course may be about 6000 yards, but if it's whether it's link-style course where the tee is near the last green or not could make it anywhere from 9-12,000+ yards total, where obviously not hitting it straight would add on even more.

Wiki answer wrote:

Scott is also regarded as the founder of speed golf in 1979

Founder schmounder. Maybe first major runner to do it, or to make it into a respectable activity. Throughout the 70s it was a time honored workout at my upstate NY HS to play XC golf on the local college golf course (which was also where we ran our XC meets). We'd do mass start, one ball, one club, only time mattered. The other guys' balls were fair game as well (somehow that comes out sounding wrong) - as in croquette you could knock a competitor's ball out of the way as you ran by.

We tended to play this at night when the golf pros and campus police were not immediately available for assistance.

Good times.

No Name wrote:

Founder schmounder. Maybe first major runner to do it, or to make it into a respectable activity. Throughout the 70s it was a time honored workout at my upstate NY HS to play XC golf on the local college golf course (which was also where we ran our XC meets). We'd do mass start, one ball, one club, only time mattered. The other guys' balls were fair game as well (somehow that comes out sounding wrong) - as in croquette you could knock a competitor's ball out of the way as you ran by.

We tended to play this at night when the golf pros and campus police were not immediately available for assistance.

Good times.

What you just described is in no way speed golf so shut the hell up.

I once played a round of 9 somewhat similar to speed golf with 3 friends. We played hole by hole, first person to put it in the cup was the winner. Everyone teed off alone, and when the last person's tee shot landed everyone took off.

All of us used one club and a putter. It was more fun than regular golf in my opinion. Of course, I'm terrible at golf and only golf during social outings.

Played a version of this in typical LetRun manner. Try and play 36 holes at discount evening rate (in other words-be cheap). We were able to play all 36 holes in under 3.5 hours and before the sun set. Used full bag of clubs, but ran between shots. Two of us played and didn't score well (not good golfers), but had low 90 scores. I think we paid something like $10 for the joy of playing and running for two rounds of golf in one evening setting.

I played a form of speed golf more than ten years ago, when I still had decent speed. It was a dreay afternoon in late fall when the course was clear. I talked one of the assitant pros into caddying for me. I teed off and took off. He accompanied me in a cart, handing me clubs and taking them from me. I played 18 holes in 45 minutes (pretty comfortably, as I recall) and shot 89. Neither was anywhere near a world record, but the time was a course record (I don't think anyone else has ever tried it), and it was a helluva lot of fun.

If there are separate records for time and strokes, then wouldn't the easiest way to set the time record just be using a hockey stick or something?

I think it would be fun too. We use to play the disc golf equivalent. And we did it mainly for fun. We kept our golf scores but didn't keep time or "race" each other. We stumbled on it accidentally when trying to squeeze a round in before sundown at Chickasabogue. We then realized we could play a ton more rounds this way.

This kind of game would be the only type of game I would play. Otherwise, the traditional 18 hole game is too dang long and boring!

I've never played, but it seems to me that it's the only way to make time for golf on a regular occasion. I used to play regular golf somewhat frequently in college and there was a speed golf player who would tee off first most mornings (no one in front to slow him down). I'm not a good enough golfer to make a scene by running around the course, but it does look fun.

My general advice:

1) Develop a relationship with the club pro (as a good, respectable player) and get permission to play speed golf.

2) Arrive early (first).

3) Carry a small bag with a few clubs.

4) Don't rush your shots (just rush between shots).

5) Don't run on the greens and putt with the flag in.

6) Pace yourself (especially the first time out).

haha YO wrote:

[quote]No Name wrote:

What you just described is in no way speed golf so shut the hell up.

.... and yet another fine, thoughtful, measured response from the let's run faithful.

At least you are consistent...

NoVan wrote:

If there are separate records for time and strokes, then wouldn't the easiest way to set the time record just be using a hockey stick or something?

No.

I'd love to see a mass-start speed golf event. Or maybe heats of 5 to 10, all ready to tee off at the gun, play maybe three or six holes, then cut it down and just the top few per heat go on. Then you are actually competing against others instead of the clock . Hell, maybe score doesn't matter, just speed, because the fewer shots, the faster you'd go, right?