Golf: Taranaki speedgolfer breaks world record score

NZ Golf

Things tend to happen fast in speedgolf.

That rang true at Waipu Golf Club as Robin Smith broke the Men’s World Record with a speedgolf score of 104.09 (64 + 40.09) – eclipsing the record of 106.14 (70 + 36.14) that stood for just six weeks set by New Zealand men’s champion Harry Bateman.

The North Island Speedgolf Open was Smith’s stage and he claimed the Men's title as he shot a remarkable 8-under 64 in just 40 minutes and nine seconds, featuring a blistering 7-under 29 on the back nine, all while carrying an Achilles injury.

Smith, a former world champion in his own right, says while he’s personally pleased to have a world record the achievement is an indication of the strength of New Zealand's athletes as the TORO Speedgolf World Championships approaches in November this year,.

Carrying four clubs (3-wood, 4-iron, 7-iron and 50 degree wedge), he said after shooting one-under on the front nine he felt he was in for a solid round until things clicked like they had never clicked before as he made the turn.

Upon hearing his score and time, Smith said he went into a state of shock as he realised what he’d achieved.

“I was kind of shell shocked, I was like f****** eight under mate? And then someone said ‘That’s a world record.’

“It just kind of hit me, you know? What had happened.”

With just four clubs at his disposal, Smith said his 3-wood did a lot of the heavy lifting, giving him shorter second shots into the greens.

“My 3-wood was so good, it was like a rocket ship… just going like 280 metres every time, it was ridiculous.”

A birdie on the 10 th after a powerful drive with said 3-Wood set up a birdie opportunity -and it wasn’t just the long club that was on song. Smith says he holed two putts at around 20 feet using his 50 degree wedge on the back nine – combining with his long drives to set up a deluge of scoring.

A chip in eagle on the par-5 12 th after missing the green had Smith feeling he had a chance to go low on his golf score, allowing him to pull back slightly on his running. Speedgolf’s scoring system means a full point can be shaved off a player’s total if they make a birdie, whereas lowering your running time consumes far more energy.

With his golf game working so well, Smith’s injury he was carrying didn’t factor in as much as if he’d had to push hard with his run.

“When you get a couple under you can button off a bit and just try to hold that score,” he said.

With the TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open fast approaching, followed by the TORO Speedgolf World Championship and Team World Cup in November, Smith says New Zealand’s athletes are peaking at the right time to welcome the speedgolf world to Aotearoa.

“We’ve got such a good group of athletes and it’s just so cool to see everyone growing and just pushing the boundaries of what speedgolf can do.

“You’ve got Harry [Bateman], phenomenal golfer, phenomenal speedgolfer, previous world record holder.

“Jamie [Reid] is back, ex-world champion, ex world number one, so cool to see him competing again.”

Reid is making his way back into the sport after a lengthy ACL injury layoff and posted 35 minute and 36 minute times in his two rounds at Waipu, sending a warning to his competitors that he’s nearing form ahead of the Open while Brad Hayward carded back-to-back under par rounds to also throw his name among those who can take out the title in Taupo.

“It’s so good for the sport, so good for New Zealand”, said Smith.