This Week in Speedgolf | The First Rule of TGL Speedgolf + EU Open Round 1

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You're reading This Week in Speedgolf.

Here's what's happening in speedgolf this week.

Carl Palmberg, Emily Mollard, Joakim Wikland lead European Speedgolf Open through round 1

Like many of you, I'm tracking the results as they roll in from Espoo Ringside in Finland. Through round 1...

Men

Carl Palmberg 111.26 (69/-4 + 42:26) -- Holy smokes! 🔥
Luke Willett 118.37 (79/+6 + 39:39)
Lauri Alakuijala 120.17 (74/+1 + 46:17)

Women

Emily Mollard 127.11 (78/+5 + 49:11)
Milla Hallanoro 136.53 (81/+8 + 55:53)
Kathy Leppard 158.58 (98/+25 + 60:58)

Senior Men

Joakim Wikland 123.54 (77/+4 + 46:54)
Marko Kuningas 126.50 (80/+7 + 46:50)
Mikko Rantanen 128.41 (74/+1 + 54:41)

Watch Speedgolf Finland for updates

Carl Palmberg finishes and will sleep on the lead

Luke Willett finishes in 39 minutes

Lauri Alakuijala leaps across the finish line

Emily Mollard post-round interview

The first rule of TGL speedgolf is…

You don’t post media from TGL Speedgolf until September 1.

Video from Rob Hogan’s impromptu Indoor Speedgolf Spectacle at the TGL Sofi Center will be revealed after the media embargo lifts.

I guess I’ll wait.

Royal Rankings Rumble

Last week, I shared my thoughts about the ISGA’s newly-published Men’s world rankings, and the inbox lit up! Thanks to all who sent in their thoughts.

The #1 theme I heard was: Where do these points come from? In other words: what’s the methodology?

Quick answer: From what I hear, this mirrors the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Jin Ota earned 100 points for winning Worlds. Bernie Smith got 75, and so on for the top 10 finishers. National Opens (e.g. New Zealand Open, French Open, US Open) were worth half as much as Worlds. Results stretched back to 2023.

Along with this, I had a productive back-and-forth with Filip “SpeedStache” Beerens, which I have summarized below:

SpeedStache: It’s good to have power ranks, but it would be better if we understood how they’re made (and how to get points)! Also, if the way to earn the most points is by playing the most tournaments, that doesn’t seem like the best idea. Our sport is growing — new talents will pop up, and if they’re truly great we don’t want them to have to wait 2 years to appear in the top 20…

Adam: I like where you’re going with this. I agree we need a system that is transparent, rewards excellence, and doesn’t just reward the people who can afford to attend all the tournaments. Robin was using a methodology similar to the OWGR. Not a robust player rating system (in my opinion), but I can understand why he did it that way. One reason he hand-selected the tournaments that qualified for world rankings points was to only reward people for winning against strong fields.

SpeedStache: Why would we, without any discussion, just accept one way of making power rankings. (That’s addressed to the ISGA, not you).

Adam: I completely agree.

SpeedStache: I want to see a ranking system that’s appealing for newbies too.

Adam: That’s a good thought. In competitive video games, they will rank the top 1,000 players. Everyone outside the top thousand gets assigned to a skill tier (bronze, silver, gold, platinum). I’d like to see something like that in speedgolf. I think the key is adjusting player ratings proportionally to how well players finish compared to one another.

SpeedStache: But let’s say you’re the best player in Namibia (just for example). If you play level par speedgolf, and you beat 3 poor players, I feel like you should gain rating points for that (because you played level par speedgolf, which is excellent no matter who you played against)

Adam: Hmm… If a chess grandmaster beats me, he would gain zero rating points. But I take your point. There needs to be an on-ramp for new players, or players who can’t make it to big events. If you consistently play ‘par’ speedgolf in official events, even with minimal competition, your rating should increase, because you are showing real skill. I think a better rating system would reflect this.

💬 What do YOU think?

What I’m watching

US Speedgolf Open Course Preview - Temecula Creek by Speedgolf Hype on YouTube. A must-watch if you're playing the US Open and you've never seen the course. Looks to me like accuracy off the tee is key!

Lauren Cupp hole in one with 2 month old baby as only witness

Big Bob on e-bike caddying for Speedgolf Rob in Hollywood

For discussion: British Speedgolf Championships sold out for 2nd year running

From British Speedgolf:

The British Speedgolf Championships are at full capacity for this year’s 2025 British Speedgolf Championships supported by The R&A. on 7 September at Sunningdale Heath GC, Ascot.

Reigning Champion Will Major will defend his title, as will the Women’s Winner Bev Fentiman and Senior Winner Adam Williams. We’ll be sharing more of the players over the coming weeks!

With an increased field from 2024 and with the introduction of a cut for Round 2 to enable the best players from any category to progress, regardless of age or gender, this year is shaping up to be the most explosive yet!

From Luke Willett, I learned the wait list for the British Champs is as long as the list of registered players. In other words, BSG could double their capacity and still turn players away!

Here's the question: what is British Speedgolf doing RIGHT? When was the last time we had a sold out US Open? This can't just be about geography. Even though England is geographically small, there has to be something going on. Why is it that people are storming the gates to play the British Champs, while almost no tournament outside Worlds has to turn players away?

💬 Your thoughts appreciated, dear speedgolfer.

Upcoming Events

On Aug 31, Belgium crowns champions at Brussels Drohme GC — the Belgian Speedgolf Open hits an urban-parkland stage built for spectators. (Details)
Also Aug 31 near Stockholm: the Speedgolf Foursome Challenge at Kyssinge GK — Sweden’s team twist; pairs format, MinGolf entry. (Event page)
On Sept 7, the British Speedgolf Championship returns to Sunningdale Heath GC (UK) — 36-hole cut for leaders; sold-out vibe. (Championship page)
On Sept 8, Japan’s Hokkaido Speedgolf Open debuts at Golf5 Country Bibai Course — open divisions, crisp morning start. (Register)
On Sept 12, Aura Speedgolf lights up Aura Golf (Turku) — a classic 18-hole dash on par-71. (Schedule)
On Sept 14, Oregon Speedgolf returns to Arrowhead GC (Molalla) — PNW rollers reward brave lines and fast feet. (Register)
On Sept 24, Master Speedgolf tackles Master Golf (Master Course) (Espoo) — ~8 km of running on a championship par-73. (Schedule)
On Sept 27, Speedgolf on Tour stops at Ternesse G&CC (Wommelgem, Belgium) — all levels welcome; festival energy. (Details)
On Sept 28, the Lidköping Speedgolf Open at Lidköpings GK — 18-hole single plus optional 9-hole foursome. (Event page)
On Oct 6, the Nagoya Bayside Classic hits Wood Friends Nagoya Port GC (Aichi) — 40-player cap; doubles demo next day. (Event info)
On Oct 11–12, the 9th US Speedgolf Open returns at Temecula Creek (California) — two-day national major. (Register)
On Oct 20, Eagle Ridge Speedgolf launches the Aussie season at Eagle Ridge GC (Victoria) — rankings points toward Worlds ’26. (Register)

What'd I miss?

Anything you'd like to see covered from the world of speedgolf? Hit 'Reply' and let me know. I read every one.

Adam

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Adam Lorton

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