Ready to blend the challenge of golf with a heart-pumping athletic endeavor? Welcome to speed golf, a discipline that transforms the leisurely 18-hole stroll into an exhilarating race against the clock. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the basic rules and scoring to the specific strategies and mindset required to post a great time and a respectable score.
At its core, speed golf is exactly what it sounds like: playing golf as fast as you can. But it’s not just a chaotic sprint around the course. It’s an official sport with its own rules and a unique scoring system designed to balance pace of play with shot-making skill.
Your Speed Golf Score (SGS) is calculated by adding your total strokes for the round to your total time elapsed, measured in minutes and seconds.
The formula is simple: Golf Score + Time = Speed Golf Score.
For example, if you shoot a score of 90 in a time of 65 minutes and 30 seconds, your Speed Golf Score would be 155.30 (90 + 65.30). Suddenly, saving 30 seconds by finding your ball quickly is just as valuable as saving a stroke with a one-putt. This dynamic creates a fascinating strategic layer where every decision is weighed against its impact on both your score and the clock.
The biggest adjustment for any traditional golfer transitioning to speed golf isn't physical, it's mental. Conventional golf teaches us deliberation, patience, and the painstaking pursuit of the perfect shot. You assess wind, consider lie, check your yardage, and take multiple practice swings. Speed golf demands you throw most of that out the window.
Your new mantra is “good enough is great.” The goal is forward progress. You have to learn to:
This "productive" mindset doesn’t mean being reckless. It means being efficient and valuing forward momentum above all else.
Carrying a fully-loaded, 14-club tour bag is simply not an option. Your setup needs to be streamlined for mobility and efficiency. Less is more.
A lightweight "Sunday bag" or "carry bag" is your best friend. Look for one that's ultra-light, has comfortable dual straps for a backpack-style carry, and holds just a few clubs. You’ll be running with this, so every ounce matters.
You can’t carry 14 clubs. Most speed golfers use between 4 and 7 clubs. The key is to select versatile clubs that can cover multiple distances and shots. Here’s a sample setup:
When selecting your clubs, think about versatility. Can you hit your 7-iron 150 yards, 130 yards, and 110 yards by adjusting your swing? That’s more valuable than carrying three separate clubs for those distances.
Ditch the traditional golf spikes. You need running shoes - plain and simple. Choose a pair with good support and decent traction. Your apparel should be comfortable, athletic clothing that you'd wear for a run. Breathable materials are a must.
A good Speed Golf Score is built on smart decisions made before and during the run. Your strategy should revolve around minimizing time lost to bad shots and inefficient movement.
Just like a caddie helps a pro navigate the course, you need to be your own strategist.
Your pre-shot routine is effectively just a "shot routine," as it should happen in seconds. The entire sequence looks like this:
The greens are where a chunk of time can be saved.
You might be tempted to sprint out of the gate, but 18 holes is a long way to run - typically 4 to 5 miles. Find a comfortable jogging pace you can maintain. The fastest speed golfers use a tactic called "shuttle runs." You hit your shot, sprint to your ball, take your next shot, and then slow to a walk for a few breaths to recover while the ball is in action.
The pace is often a rhythmic jog on the fairways and a slightly faster clip on the cart paths between holes. Remember to breathe and stay hydrated if you can carry a small water bottle. This is a very physical activity, and you need to manage your energy to be effective on the last few holes.
Speed golf is an incredibly rewarding and fun way to experience the game. It strips away the unnecessary delays and connects you to the course in a raw, athletic way by asking you to balance your golf skill with your physical fitness and course management under pressure.
Part of getting faster on the course is making quick, yet informed, decisions. But when you’re out of breath and staring at a peculiar lie, feeling confident in your choice can be tough. That’s why we’re building tools to give you that instant, expert second opinion. With an app like Caddie AI, you can snap a photo of a challenging situation, and we’ll give you a simple, strategic play in seconds - perfect for when the clock is ticking and you have to make the right call.
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Deciding whether to swing a golf club right-handed or left-handed seems like it should be simple, but it’s often about more than just which hand you write with. The right choice is less about rules and more about what feels natural, powerful, and athletic to you. This guide will walk you through a few simple tests and considerations to help you determine the best orientation for your golf swing, setting you up for a more comfortable and enjoyable game.
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Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
