While the game of golf has been around for centuries, the slightly modified sport of speed golf was invented in California in 1979. Steve Scott played 18 holes of golf in just over twenty-nine minutes, shooting 95. At the time, he also held the American record time for running a mile. From there, speed golf grew enormously in popularity, and it is now played competitively in North America, Europe, and Japan.
The rules of speed golf are generally the same as those of normal golf. However, speed golf allows players to leave the flag stick in the hole while putting to save time. To calculate a score in speed golf, you add the number of shots it took you to complete all 18 holes with the amount of time it took to complete the round. So when Steve Scott first played, his total score was 95+29=124. Each year, there are several large speed golf tournaments; the oldest is the Broc-n-Bob Speed golf tournament, which is held every September in Minneapolis, MN. Speed golf continues to grow in stature as a sport, especially in America, and attracts many people who believe traditional golf is too slow a sport without any real aerobic exercise involved.