Three local speed golfers will represent the United States at the World Championships in Japan

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – The leaves look different at Horton Smith Golf Course, the cart paths will look different thanks to the design, and even the golf course itself is different.

“It’s really fun, really weird, but once you try it, it’s better than you think,” said speedgolfer Nick Goodin.

If golf and cross country had a baby, it would be speed golf.

“Instead of four to five hours, you’re looking at 40 to 60 minutes (per round),” said speedgolfer and Horton Smith golf pro Garrett Holt.

Speedgolf has been around since the late 70s. Just like in golf, your score matters; the lower the better. But your 18-hole time also matters; the faster the better.

“Let’s say it took you 50 minutes, add that to your score of 80, and then you get a total score of 130,” Garrett explained.

There are no golf carts, tow trucks or time for beer carts. Most speed golfers carry four or five clubs. Driver, 7 irons, one or two wedges and a putter.

“I work full time at Horton Smith,” said Garrett, who started playing speed golf back in 2015. “I tried to find different alternative ways to get people into golf. (There is) foot golf, fling golf and speed golf. I like it because I have a young family at home and I don’t have time for four or five hour rounds.”

Nick had previously worked with Garrett at Horton Smith and didn’t realize it at first.

“I was looking out the window from the golf store and watching him walk up here on the 10th hole,” Nick said, “and I thought to myself, This is just the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.”

But Nick soon started lifting and playing speed golf to get in shape.

“I ate for two during my wife’s pregnancy,” Nick joked. “And now the time has come, it’s time to get in shape. And indeed, I played three holes here with a pair of clubs, I was exhausted and had a lot of fun.”

The eldest of the trio, Tim Shryak, has been playing speed golf for more than two decades.

With a career in healthcare, Tim knows the benefits of speed golf over the traditional game.

“Just get out and walk, get some fresh air, get moving,” Tim said. “And you don’t run. I mean, sometimes you do it, get some momentum and go for a par-three, you know? And if you can hit a par-three in a minute, you’ll save time.”

This month, the trio will represent not only the Ozarks, but also the United States at the tournament. World Speedgolf Championships in Japan.

“Representing our country is a huge honor for me,” Nick said. “And I think about looking out the window here at the pro shop and just thinking, ‘I could never do that.’ This is a great opportunity.”

No doubt the first Masters winner, Springfield’s Horton Smith, would have smiled to see his game develop.

“It’s amazing when there are few clubs, a little time and the heart rate goes through the roof,” Nick said.

“I’ll keep doing this until I can’t get out of bed,” Tim said.

“There are a lot of different options for what golf can look like,” said Garrett, who is trying to grow the game. “It doesn’t have to look like you have a full set of clubs. You are in a cart. You take up all day.

The World Championships are taking place in Japan. November 14 and 15.

The golfers are paying their own way to represent the US, but if you’d like to help, we have a link to their GoFundMe in this story on ky3 dot-com.

To help Garrett Holt represent the United States at the World SpeedGolf Championships, click here to go to his GoFundMe page.

To help Nick Goodin represent the United States at the World Speedgolf Championships, click here to go to his GoFundMe page.

Some golf courses allow speed golf, but you simply can’t show up at any time and expect to play. Typically this tee time occurs in the morning before the course officially opens. Contact your course to learn more about speedgolf availability.

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