What is the fastest round of golf of all time?

Earlier this season we saw Sebastian Soderberg jog his way around Emirates Golf Club after playing his final round alone as the first tee time of the day.

He completed his round in 1 hour 36 minutes and this is thought to be the quickest round in European Tour history (although Peter Baker says otherwise).

His time eclipsed that of Thomas Pieters who took a similar approach at the 2019 Italian Open when he completed his round in 1 hour 59 minutes.

But how does Soderberg’s round stack up in terms of being the fastest ever round of golf?

Well, there are a few records to take a look at here, all excelling in a slightly different way.

According to Guiness World Records the record for the fastest round of golf by an individual is 27 minutes and 9 seconds.

This was achieved by James Carvill at Warrenpoint Golf Course in Northern Ireland. The18-hole course measured 6,154 yards and Carvill set the record back in 1987.

The record for the fastest round of golf as a team is even quicker. In 2015 members of Farnham Golf Club in Surrey made it around their layout in 13 minutes and 52 seconds.

And then there’s speed golf…

This sport was established in 1979 and is exactly what it says on the tin. Steve Scott, who is said to have founded the sport, holds the record for the fastest round of golf in speed golf.

He completed an 18-hole layout at Miller Golf Course, California, in 29 minutes 33 seconds.

So there we have it, Soderberg and Pieters have impressive times for sure, but they aren’t quite world records.

Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.