Whether you’re a newbie golf player or someone who has been playing golf for several years, you must have wondered at some point about what’s a good pace of golf play. In other words, how long does it take to play 18 holes of golf? In general, this will largely depend on several factors, such as how many players there are, the type of course, the players’ skill level, how busy the course is, and your mode of transportation around the golf course.
Golf is a game of relaxation, and as such, players don’t focus too much on how much time it takes them to finish a round of 18-hole golf. However, sometimes players want to rush through their rounds so they can go about their day or spend some time in the clubhouse.
The Average Length of Time for 18-Holes of Golf
The standard or average time it takes most players to play 18 holes of a golf course is around 4 hours. This time can increase and decrease depending on the factors we have mentioned above. Some players find that they can finish a round of golf in 3 hours and 30 minutes, while for others, it can take close to 5 hours to complete a round of golf. You must pace yourself properly as well on the golf course to not take too much time on any hole.
For instance, if you want to finish playing 18 holes of golf in 4 hours or less, you should spend around 13 minutes on each hole. Assuming you are playing in a group of 4 players with an average skill set, that should be a good indicator of the length of time it will take you to finish each hole. If you are two skilled golfers, you can complete a round of 18 holes in 2 hours and even less. This duration will also depend on whether you are walking or riding around the golf course.
Factors that Contribute to Timing Issues
Several factors play a role in how much time you will spend to finish an 18-hole golf course. Players also have to carry their bags, keep scores, find their balls, and wait for their turns. All these tasks take time and contribute towards whether you spend less time on the golf course or more time on the course. Here are some of the factors you should be aware of:
Size of the Golf Course
You must account for the golf course’s size when determining how long it would take you to play 18 holes of golf. There are extensive golf courses and miniature golf courses, and how long it takes you to finish a round of golf will depend on the length of the course.
Skill Level of the Players
The golf players’ skill level will also contribute to how long it takes them to play 18 holes. Some may be beginners and will not be skilled enough to finish a round of golf quickly. They will mishit their balls and may even get into the sand traps, which will require time and patience to get out.
Number of Players
The average playing time on the golf course will increase or decrease depending on how many players play with you. If you are playing solo, you may quickly complete the 18-round golf course within a couple of hours. However, if you are playing in a group of 4 people, it will take you considerably longer. When there are other players, you will need to wait for them to complete their shots before moving on to the next hole.
Walking or Riding
Another factor that will determine how much time you spend to complete 18 holes will be whether you choose to walk around the golf course or ride in a golf cart. Some people may prefer walking around the course as they want to relax and enjoy their day. Others may have other appointments after their round of golf and want to get through 18 holes quicker, which is why they choose to ride in golf carts to get to the next hole.
Golf Course Design
The golf course design is another factor to consider when estimating how much time it will take you to finish 18 holes of golf. A par-3 golf course can be completed in less than 3 hours, while a full par-72 golf course will take nearly 4 hours for you to complete.
Traffic on the Golf Course
You must also account for traffic on the golf course, and if there are a lot of groups playing, that will mean you will need to spend a longer time to finish 18 holes of golf. Playing on popular golf courses will take you a substantial amount of time, as you will need to wait for one group to finish their shots on the hole before you get a chance to play your shots.
Our Final Thoughts
All the factors we have mentioned above play a part in how long it will take you to finish playing 18 holes. If you like to be on time and don’t like being lazy on the golf course, you will complete 18 holes in under 4 hours. However, various golf courses have different lengths and designs, and those must be taken into account.
