Imagine playing 18 holes of golf in under 38 minutes

Could you imagine playing 18 holes of golf in under 38 minutes? That's exactly what PGA professionals Will Robson and James Harding accomplished when they produced a remarkable blend of low scoring and elite fitness to win the 2026 British Speedgolf Pairs Championship at Mid Herts Golf Club. 

Competing as Team North & South, the pair edged defending champions Luke Willett and Luke Bone in one of the closest and fastest finishes seen in British Speedgolf. 

For golfers unfamiliar with the format, Speedgolf combines golf score with time taken to complete the round. Players run between shots carrying a limited set of clubs, with the overall "Speedgolf Score" calculated by adding strokes and time together. In the pairs format, teammates alternate shots throughout the round, making rhythm, trust and endurance just as important as ball striking and putting. 

And Mid Herts provided a stern examination. The challenging course layout included several lengthy green-to-tee runs, with competitors covering around 6.75km during the round. More than 50 players set off at four-minute intervals on a cloudy but dry afternoon, creating a constant flow of sprinting golfers across the course. 

The standard at the top of the leaderboard was exceptional. Both leading teams completed the 18-hole challenge in under 38 minutes, quicker than many golfers take to play just a few holes. Ultimately, the quality of Robson and Harding’s golf proved decisive. Their stunning round of 73, combined with a time of 37 minutes and 38 seconds, earned them a winning Speedgolf Score of 110:38. 

Robson, from Newcastle, and Harding, from Harpenden, may not play together regularly, but their victory suggests they are a serious force in team competition. Both players are set to represent British Speedgolf’s national team later this year as part of a 12-player squad travelling to New Zealand for the TORO Speedgolf World Championship and Team World Cup. 

One of the most appealing aspects of the event at Mid Herts was the variety of competitors taking part. Alongside elite players were brothers, mixed pairs, a junior team, a father-and-son duo and even a married couple, highlighting the welcoming and inclusive nature of this rapidly growing faster golf format. 

Attention now turns to the British Speedgolf Championship (Solo), which returns to Sunningdale Heath Golf Club on Sunday 6 September 2026. Interest in the championship continues to grow rapidly, with interest in entries already exceeding capacity. 

Golfers keen to try the sport for themselves or secure a place in September’s championship can enter the qualifying event at Wildernesse Golf Club on Friday 17 July.

Winners: Will Robson and James Harding, (Team name North & South) they shot 73 strokes in 37 minutes and 38 seconds, giving them a Speedgolf Score of 110:38. Will is from Newcastle, and James from Harpenden, hence their team name which also means they barely play together.

Runners Up: Luke Willett, Luke Bone (Team Name: 2 Lukes and a Cup) with 79 strokes in 37 minutes and 38 seconds, giving them a Speedgolf Score of 116:38.

You can find more information about the sport of Speedgolf by visiting https://britishspeedgolf.co.uk/.