On the Up: Whangārei speedgolf event to attract top Kiwi players, as well as novices

Speedgolf combines running and golf to create a fast and fun game. Photo / NZME

A speedy sport which mixes golf and running is hitting Whangārei this weekend with the Northland Speedgolf Open returning.

The tournament will be held at Northland Golf Club in Te Kamo from 3.30pm on Saturday, December 6.

With qualification points on the table, the event is set to attract some of New Zealand’s top speedgolf players, said Gary Younger from Speedgolf North.

The event is also a chance for people to check out the sport for themselves, with a have-a-go session at the end of the tournament, he said.

Speedgolf is a fast, fun and addictive format where participants combine their time to run around the course with their golf score, Younger said.

The elite players will be pushing to post times in the 40-minute zone and chase par, he said.

But the game is also open to everyone - even those intent on jogging - and is a great way to get exercise, Younger said.

It wins over players who like to play golf but are time-poor, he said.

“You can run around nine holes in 30 minutes, and you get your exercise in. Generally, your golf game gets better because you’re not thinking too much.”

Speedgolf can be played by people aged from 7 to 70, he said.

Former speedgolf World Champion Robin Smith, right, demonstrates how the game is played. Photo / NZME

Internationally, New Zealand is arguably one of the top nations at speedgolf, Younger said, and will host the 2026 Speedgolf Worlds at Auckland’s Whitford Golf Club in November.

Those competing for qualification points at the Northland Speedgolf Open will include New Zealand’s top-ranked masters players Troy Harold and Northlander Damian Mills; recent Taranaki Open champion Brad Hayward — who delivered two rounds under par, both run in 41 minutes; 2025 Speedgolf Worlds runner-up Bernie Smith and NZ team member Craig Russell.

With multiple players teeing off at the same time, volunteers help make the event run smoothly by spotting the balls and scoring, Younger said.

“It’s a great community event. It’s not often that you see golfers smiling at the end of their round.”

While speedgolf has been around for about 20 years, its popularity has grown hugely over the past three to four years, he said.

New Zealand has six to eight tournaments a year now, including the Northland open and the North Island championships held at Waipu in March, he said.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.