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Golf · Interesting Facts

Chapter 2: Records & Statistics

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 14 October 2026 · markdown

Records and numbers: the longest drives and aces, very low rounds, long careers, the youngest and oldest, money milestones, extreme holes and courses, marathon play-offs and nightmare holes.

2.21Distance Records

The longest drives and holes-in-one on record, the first 300-yard season and long-drive champions.

Test 1Distance recordsTake a test

  1. It came at the US National Seniors Open.

    Source: Guinness World Records, longest drive in competition · recall

  2. He had been a long hitter all his life.

    Source: Guinness World Records · recall

  3. At the Winterwood course in Nevada.

    Source: Guinness World Records · recall

  4. He averaged about 302 yards in 1997.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide, driving distance leaders · recall

  5. Four in a row from 1996 to 1999, then 2006.

    Source: World Long Drive, past champions · recall

  6. Denver sits about a mile above sea level.

    Source: Guinness World Records, longest hole-in-one · recall

  7. A par-5 hole-in-one is called a condor.

    Source: Guinness World Records, longest hole-in-one · recall

  8. About 302, 515 and 517 yards.

    Source: Guinness World Records; PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  9. 1974, 1997 and 2002.

    Source: Guinness World Records; PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  10. Balls outside the grid do not count however far they go.

    Source: World Long Drive, rules of competition · recall

2.22Hole-in-One Records

Record ace-makers, the oldest aces, the first televised one and four in a morning at Oak Hill.

Test 1Hole-in-one recordsTake a test

  1. An amateur from California.

    Source: National Hole-in-One Registry (USA) · recall

  2. A Texan club professional.

    Source: National Hole-in-One Registry (USA) · recall

  3. Believed to be the oldest man to make an ace.

    Source: National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); Golf Digest (2018) · recall

  4. She was recognised as the oldest woman to make an ace.

    Source: National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); Associated Press (2007) · recall

  5. At Royal St George's, Sandwich.

    Source: BBC Sport archive; European Tour history · recall

  6. Doug Weaver, Mark Wiebe, Jerry Pate and Nick Price.

    Source: USGA, championship records, 1989 US Open at Oak Hill · recall

  7. A rare double in a PGA Tour event.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  8. About 23, 102 and 103.

    Source: National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); BBC Sport archive · recall

  9. 1967, 1989, 2006 and 2018.

    Source: National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); USGA, championship records, 1989 US Open at Oak Hill · recall

  10. All four aces came within about two hours.

    Source: USGA, championship records, 1989 US Open at Oak Hill · recall

2.23Remarkably Low Rounds

Rounds of 55, 58 and 59 outside the majors, and a record 72-hole total.

Test 1Remarkably low roundsTake a test

  1. Guinness recognised it as the lowest round on a par-71 course.

    Source: Guinness World Records, lowest score on an 18-hole course · recall

  2. The course was short, but the score became legend.

    Source: Texas Golf Hall of Fame; PGA Tour history · recall

  3. In the final round of The Crowns, which he won.

    Source: Japan Golf Tour Organization, records · recall

  4. At the Ellie Mae Classic in California.

    Source: Korn Ferry Tour (formerly Web.com Tour), records · recall

  5. At Woodmont Country Club in Maryland.

    Source: USGA, championship records, US Open qualifying · recall

  6. He opened the event with a 59.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide; Sony Open in Hawaii · recall

  7. He was 23, the youngest to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  8. 1962, 2000, 2010 and 2012.

    Source: Guinness World Records; club and tour records · recall

  9. 55, 58 and 59.

    Source: Guinness World Records; PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  10. An Australian professional.

    Source: Guinness World Records · recall

2.24Long Careers

Records of longevity: Masters starts, straight majors, Ryder Cup caps and winning in later life.

Test 1Long careersTake a test

  1. From 1957 to 2009.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  2. A streak of nearly 37 years.

    Source: PGA Tour; Golf Digest records · recall

  3. From 1977 to 1997.

    Source: Ryder Cup Europe, records · recall

  4. Watson missed an eight-foot putt to win on the 72nd hole.

    Source: The Open, 2009 championship records · recall

  5. The Masters was played in November that year.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  6. He had first won the event in 1938.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide, oldest winners · recall

  7. He birdied the 18th in his farewell round.

    Source: The Open, 2005 championship records · recall

  8. 52, 59 and 63.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide; Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  9. 11, 52 and 146.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records; Ryder Cup Europe · recall

  10. Turnberry, where he had won in 1977.

    Source: The Open, 2009 championship records · recall

2.25Youngest and Oldest

The youngest to make cuts and win events, and the oldest US Open champion.

Test 1Youngest and oldestTake a test

  1. The youngest player to do so.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  2. He still made the cut.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  3. A Canadian amateur.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide, youngest to make a cut · recall

  4. He was also the first American-born winner.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  5. He holed a long putt on the 72nd green and won the play-off.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  6. At the Castello Masters in Spain.

    Source: DP World Tour, records · recall

  7. He holed out from a bunker on the 72nd hole.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  8. 14, 16, 19 and 45.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records; USGA, championship records · recall

  9. 1957, 2010 and 2013.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide; DP World Tour; Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  10. From Guangzhou, China.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

2.26Money Milestones

From 150 dollars at the first US Open to the first million-dollar prizes, seasons and purses.

Test 1Money milestonesTake a test

  1. The club kept the trophy.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  2. The event was then the Augusta National Invitation Tournament.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  3. Thirteen years after he turned professional.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  4. Johnny Miller won it in a play-off with Seve Ballesteros.

    Source: Nedbank Golf Challenge, history · recall

  5. After a nine-hole play-off.

    Source: Nedbank Golf Challenge, history · recall

  6. He won nine events that year.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  7. The winner took 4.5 million.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide; The Players Championship · recall

  8. 150, 1,500 and 1,000,000 dollars.

    Source: USGA, championship records; Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  9. 1968, 1988 and 2004.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  10. He also won that year's US Open.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

2.27Longest and Shortest Holes

The longest hole in the world, a par 3 teed from a mountain, Pebble Beach's short 7th and a floating green.

Test 1Longest and shortest holesTake a test

  1. At Sano, north of Tokyo.

    Source: Guinness World Records, longest golf hole · recall

  2. A par seven is almost unheard of elsewhere.

    Source: Guinness World Records, longest golf hole · recall

  3. The tee sits on top of a mountain.

    Source: Legend Golf & Safari Resort, 'Extreme 19th' · recall

  4. In Limpopo province.

    Source: Legend Golf & Safari Resort, 'Extreme 19th' · recall

  5. It plays downhill towards the Pacific.

    Source: Pebble Beach Resorts, course guide; PGA Tour · recall

  6. So the hole's length changes from day to day.

    Source: The Coeur d'Alene Resort, floating green · recall

  7. A boat shuttles them across after the tee shot.

    Source: The Coeur d'Alene Resort, floating green · recall

  8. About 106, 155 and 964 yards.

    Source: Guinness World Records; club course guides · recall

  9. The green sits hundreds of metres below the tee.

    Source: Legend Golf & Safari Resort, 'Extreme 19th' · recall

  10. At the Legend Golf & Safari Resort.

    Source: Legend Golf & Safari Resort, 'Extreme 19th' · recall

2.28Biggest Courses, Greens and Bunkers

The largest golf facility, the longest courses and the most heavily bunkered.

Test 1Biggest courses and bunkersTake a test

  1. Guinness named it the world's largest golf facility.

    Source: Guinness World Records, largest golf facility (Mission Hills) · recall

  2. Near Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

    Source: Guinness World Records, largest golf facility (Mission Hills) · recall

  3. Many of them hidden from the tee.

    Source: St Andrews Links Trust, Old Course facts · recall

  4. In Wisconsin; it hosted the 2021 Ryder Cup.

    Source: Whistling Straits, Kohler; PGA of America · recall

  5. It crosses the 7th hole.

    Source: Pine Valley Golf Club, course notes; USGA · recall

  6. Near Lijiang in Yunnan province.

    Source: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club · recall

  7. Thin air lets the ball fly much farther.

    Source: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club · recall

  8. One, seven and twelve.

    Source: Guinness World Records, largest golf facility (Mission Hills); St Andrews Links Trust · recall

  9. Under 3,000, about 7,300 and over 8,500 yards.

    Source: St Andrews Links Trust; Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club · recall

  10. Said to have around a thousand bunkers.

    Source: Whistling Straits, Kohler · recall

2.29Marathon Play-offs

The longest play-offs: 144 holes for the 1931 US Open, eleven holes in the dark and the first four-hole Open play-off.

Test 1Marathon play-offsTake a test

  1. Against George Von Elm at Inverness.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  2. Twice the length of a normal championship.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  3. The longest sudden-death play-off in PGA Tour history.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide, play-off records · recall

  4. Neither could beat the other.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide, play-off records · recall

  5. At Royal Troon.

    Source: The Open, 1989 championship records · recall

  6. The first two 18-hole play-offs were tied.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  7. At Merion, the year after his crash.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  8. 1931, 1946, 1949 and 1989.

    Source: USGA, championship records; PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  9. 4, 11 and 72.

    Source: USGA, championship records; PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  10. The players could no longer see.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide, play-off records · recall

2.30Nightmare Holes

The highest scores on a single hole by famous players at famous events.

Test 1Nightmare holesTake a test

  1. He kept hitting at the ball in a creek.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  2. Near Denver, Colorado.

    Source: USGA, championship records · recall

  3. The par-5 hole is called Azalea.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  4. He hit five balls into the water.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  5. His highest score on any hole on the PGA Tour.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

  6. On the par-4 9th, in the first round.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  7. He kept trying to carry the lake.

    Source: PGA Tour, records and media guide · recall

  8. 10, 13, 16, 18 and 19.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records; PGA Tour, records and media guide; USGA, championship records · recall

  9. 1938, 1978, 1980 and 1998.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records; PGA Tour, records and media guide; USGA, championship records · recall

  10. He had won the Open in 1973.

    Source: Masters.com, tournament records · recall

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia: Guinness World Records, the National Hole-in-One Registry, the USGA, the PGA Tour, Masters.com, The Open, tour and club records. Records that can still move are dated; facts already asked in golf Knowledge Testing (59s in KT, major margins, Snead's 82 wins) are left out.

  • Masters.com, tournament records10
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide9
  • USGA, championship records9
  • Legend Golf & Safari Resort, 'Extreme 19th'4
  • Guinness World Records3
  • Guinness World Records; PGA Tour, records and media guide3
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide, play-off records3
  • Guinness World Records, longest hole-in-one2
  • National Hole-in-One Registry (USA)2
  • USGA, championship records, 1989 US Open at Oak Hill2
  • The Open, 2009 championship records2
  • Nedbank Golf Challenge, history2
  • Guinness World Records, longest golf hole2
  • The Coeur d'Alene Resort, floating green2
  • Guinness World Records, largest golf facility (Mission Hills)2
  • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club2
  • USGA, championship records; PGA Tour, records and media guide2
  • Masters.com, tournament records; PGA Tour, records and media guide; USGA, championship records2
  • Guinness World Records, longest drive in competition1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide, driving distance leaders1
  • World Long Drive, past champions1
  • World Long Drive, rules of competition1
  • National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); Golf Digest (2018)1
  • National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); Associated Press (2007)1
  • BBC Sport archive; European Tour history1
  • National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); BBC Sport archive1
  • National Hole-in-One Registry (USA); USGA, championship records, 1989 US Open at Oak Hill1
  • Guinness World Records, lowest score on an 18-hole course1
  • Texas Golf Hall of Fame; PGA Tour history1
  • Japan Golf Tour Organization, records1
  • Korn Ferry Tour (formerly Web.com Tour), records1
  • USGA, championship records, US Open qualifying1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide; Sony Open in Hawaii1
  • Guinness World Records; club and tour records1
  • PGA Tour; Golf Digest records1
  • Ryder Cup Europe, records1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide, oldest winners1
  • The Open, 2005 championship records1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide; Masters.com, tournament records1
  • Masters.com, tournament records; Ryder Cup Europe1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide, youngest to make a cut1
  • DP World Tour, records1
  • Masters.com, tournament records; USGA, championship records1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide; DP World Tour; Masters.com, tournament records1
  • PGA Tour, records and media guide; The Players Championship1
  • USGA, championship records; Masters.com, tournament records1
  • Pebble Beach Resorts, course guide; PGA Tour1
  • Guinness World Records; club course guides1
  • St Andrews Links Trust, Old Course facts1
  • Whistling Straits, Kohler; PGA of America1
  • Pine Valley Golf Club, course notes; USGA1
  • Guinness World Records, largest golf facility (Mission Hills); St Andrews Links Trust1
  • St Andrews Links Trust; Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club1
  • Whistling Straits, Kohler1
  • The Open, 1989 championship records1