Shooting a 59 is golf's version of a perfect game. It’s the mythical number whispered on driving ranges - a score of 59 strokes for an 18-hole round of professional tournament golf. This article breaks down exactly what a 59 means, who has accomplished this legendary feat, and most importantly, what you can learn from their incredible rounds to improve your own game.
On a standard par-72 course, a score of 59 means a player finished 13 strokes under par. To truly grasp that, consider that many professional tournament winners finish a four-round tournament somewhere between 15 and 20-under par. Accomplishing nearly that same score in a single 18-hole round is an extraordinary display of skill, precision, and mental toughness that borders on artistic.
In the world of sport, it's an achievement on par with a pitcher throwing a perfect game in baseball or a runner breaking the 4-minute mile for the first time. It requires a nearly flawless combination of elite driving, surgical iron play, and a red-hot putter. More than the physical skills, shooting a 59 requires a mental fortitude that few possess. As a player gets deeper into a round and the possibility of a 59 becomes real, the pressure intensifies with every swing. The ability to stay calm, focused, and committed to each shot is what separates those who get close from those who break through.
For decades, the sub-60 score was golf’s unbreakable barrier. Players had flirted with it, carding scores of 60, but no one could officially crack into the 50s during a PGA Tour event. The idea seemed impossible, a record that might never be seen. That all changed on a hot Tennessee afternoon in 1977.
During the second round of the Memphis Classic on June 10, 1977, Al Geiberger etched his name into golf history forever. Playing a relaxed round with no huge gallery following him, he methodically pieced together a round of 11 birdies and a spectacular eagle against a single bogey, ultimately finishing with a score of 59. He wasn't obsessing over the score, demonstrating the power of staying in the present moment. With that final putt, he became an instant legend, earning the well-deserved nickname "Mr. 59."
Since Geiberger’s groundbreaking achievement, only a select few golfers have managed to join him by shooting a 59 in a PGA Tour event. The list is a testament to the difficulty of the feat and the skill of those who have accomplished it:
Others, like Bryson DeChambeau, have accomplished the feat on other professional tours, showing that this level of brilliance can strike on any course, at any time.
Just when the golf world accepted 59 as the pinnacle of scoring, Jim Furyk shattered expectations. On August 7, 2016, during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands (a par-70 course), Furyk did the unthinkable and shot a mind-boggling 58. His round of 12-under-par remains the lowest single-round score in the PGA Tour's long and storied history. Furyk's incredible performance set a new gold standard, further cementing the legendary status of any sub-60 score.
So, a 59 is obviously amazing, but what does it actually look like on a scorecard? A score like that doesn't just happen by accident. It's the result of every single part of the game firing in perfect sequence. Let's break down how this masterpiece gets painted hole by hole.
On a par-72 course with four par-3s, ten par-4s, and four par-5s, you need to get to 13-under par. There are a few paths to this number, but they all involve a relentless barrage of red on the card. For example:
The most important ingredient here is what's missing: bogeys. A 59 is almost always a bogey-free round. You simply cannot afford to give even one shot back to the course. It’s an exercise in pure offensive precision, not a grinder’s exhibition of scrambling for par.
The foundation of any ultra-low round is built on the par 5s. Pros who shoot 59 are almost always playing the four par 5s on the course in 4-under par or better. This could be four straight birdies or, more likely, a combination of two birdies and an eagle. They turn these long holes into must-birdie opportunities by hitting long, accurate drives that give them a chance to reach the green in two shots with a fairway wood or long iron.
You cannot shoot 59 by constantly chipping and putting for par. It's a day defined by incredible iron play. Players on these historic runs are hitting nearly every Green in Regulation (GIR). But they aren't just hitting greens - they are "stuffing" their irons, hitting approach shots to within 10-15 feet of the hole time and time again. Think of it this way: instead of facing dozens of tense, lengthy birdie putts, they are enjoying a steady diet of comfortable, close-range looks that transforms putting from a stressful task into a scoring formality.
Of course, you still have to make the putts. The elite iron play creates the opportunities, but the putter brings them home. When a player sees the ball going in from 10 feet hole after hole, their confidence skyrockets. The cup starts to look huge. They develop a feeling that they simply can't miss, and this powerful momentum often helps them sink an unexpected long-range bomb that keeps the magic of the round alive.
While shooting a 59 feels like a different universe, the principles behind these incredible rounds offer powerful lessons for any golfer trying to break 100, 90, or even 80. It’s not about finding perfection, it’s about embracing a smarter, more repeatable strategy that's tailored to your game.
The pros attack par 5s for eagles and birdies. You should, too - just in your own way. Instead of feeling pressure to hit a heroic 3-wood for your second shot, create a simple three-shot plan. Your main goal should be to hit your third shot from your absolute favorite yardage. If you are deadly accurate with your 90-yard wedge, then your job on the first two shots is simply to get to the 90-yard mark.
This strategy alone can save you several strokes per round by turning volatile holes into scoring opportunities.
A round of 59 is defined as much by its *lack* of bogeys as by its abundance of birdies. The quickest way to lower your scores is to eliminate doubles, triples, and the dreaded "other." The secret? Play boring, high-percentage golf. That flagstick tucked behind a deep bunker is called a "sucker pin" for a reason. Don't fall for it. Your mission is to hit the fattest, safest part of the green.
Giving yourself the largest possible margin for error is a professional strategy. A 30-foot putt from the center of the green is playable. A plugged lie in a bunker after an over-aggressive approach shot is a potential disaster.
That unconventional, loopy swing of Jim Furyk’s won him a U.S. Open and got him a 58. Why did it work? Because it was his motion and he could repeat it under the greatest pressure imaginable. You don't need a textbook swing. You need a reliable shot that you can trust when the nerves kick in. Maybe it’s a knockdown 7-iron that always stays low. Maybe it’s a simple bump-and-run chip that you know will always tumble onto the putting surface. Find what works for you, practice it, and lean on it heavily during your rounds.
When you hear about a pro having a "hot putter," it usually means they're making everything. But for the amateur golfer, a "hot putter" simply means no three-putts. The fastest way to slash strokes is to improve your speed control. Instead of grinding over 8-footers, spend your practice time on feel-based lag putting. Throw a few balls down 40 feet from the hole. Your goal isn't to hole them. Your goal is to get them all to die gently within a three-foot "tap-in" circle around the cup. When you eliminate three-putts, you eliminate one of the biggest sources of frustration and scoring pain in golf.
A score of 59 represents a momentary alignment of perfect technique, unwavering mental focus, and good fortune - a truly special day in a golfer's life. While that number may feel out of reach, the strategies used to achieve it - like playing to your strengths, avoiding compounding errors, and sticking to a smart game plan - are lessons every golfer can use to shoot lower scores.
Making those smarter decisions on the course, whether it's choosing the right club or the right strategy for a particular hole, is what truly lowers your handicap. With Caddie AI, you get tour-level strategy for any situation you face. Our aim is to provide you with on-demand expert advice to help you manage the course, analyze tough lies with a photo, and make confident choices on every shot. We take the guesswork out of your game so you can focus on what matters most: playing better, more enjoyable golf.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
