
How long does a game of golf take?
How long a game of golf takes depends on quite a few things. But the short answer is about 4 hours. Single players with an open course can take as little as 2 hours and on a difficult course with a full field, up to 6 hours. Read below for more in-depth discussion. Are you driving a golf cart or walking?
How many rules do you need to know when playing golf?
If it's your first time entering in an event, from as comfortable as a club championship to U.S. Open qualifying, you need to be well-versed on golf's legislation. And because there are so many golf rules, one could feel overwhelmed. Fear not: Here are the 17 golf rules you definitely need to know when playing in a tournament:
Is there a time limit to play a shot in golf?
Slow play is discouraged in golf. With one exception, the Rules of Golf published by the U.S. Golf Association doesn’t specify a time limit in which a golfer must play a shot. The rules make it clear, however, that slow play is discouraged.
How long does it take to walk a golf course?
That’s how long your golf course measures, assuming that you walk it in a straight line. But since we can’t assume that (you’re going to miss some shots), let’s increase that number by 50 percent to account for all the zigzagging you’re going to do. With that adjustment, we expect you to walk about 5 miles over 18 holes.

Is there a time limit for golf?
The PGA TOUR rules for pace of play includes the 40-second time limit, but also allows an extra 20 seconds (for a total of 60 seconds) under the following circumstances: The first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole. The first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole.
How long do golf players play?
How Long Does a Round of Golf Take – for 1, 2, 3 & 4 Players?No. of players18 holesPar 3s12 hrs 30 mins7 mins23 hrs8 mins33 hrs 30 mins9 mins44 hrs10 mins1 more row
How long is a normal game of golf?
4 to 4.5 hoursHole-by-Hole A normal golf hole will take a group of four amateur golfers around 15 minutes to complete. This equates to an 18-hole round of golf taking anywhere from 4 to 4.5 hours.
How long does 18 holes of golf take for 1?
On an empty golf course, a single player or a skilled twosome can play an 18-hole round in as little as 2 hours. That can be walking or riding, depending on the age of the players. On a busy golf course with average to poor players, an 18-hole round can take in upwards of 6 hours to play.
What is an average golfer?
According to the USGA, the average score for recreational players is 91 on a par 72 golf course. These numbers take into account everyone who actively records their scores and reports them online, and since a lot of golfers don't do this, the average golf score for all golfers is much closer to 100.
How long is a round of golf?
It usually takes 1 ½ to 3 hours to play 9 holes of golf. While playing 9 holes usually takes around half the time it takes to play 18 holes, keep in mind that you can't forget about 'sunk time costs' like going to the range before your round or times spent getting on the course.
How long is 18 holes of golf in miles?
Related. Play a round of regulation 18-hole golf on most courses and you'll walk anywhere between 3 and 6 miles, depending on the length of the course, how much walking you do before and after your game, and how often you have to wander off course in search of lost balls.
How long does 18 holes of golf take for 2 players?
As you add players to your group, you can expect the time to complete a round to grow by roughly thirty minutes for each additional player. Two players could play in three hours, three players could play in three hours and thirty minutes, and foursomes, on average, could take four hours to play 18 holes of golf.
How long does it take to play golf?
How Long Does a Round of Golf Take? How long a game of golf takes depends on quite a few things. But the short answer is about 4 hours. Single players with an open course can take as little as 2 hours and on a difficult course with a full field, up to 6 hours. Read below for more in-depth discussion.
How long is a golf round?
The average time of a golf round is generally about 4.5 hours (4 hours 30 minutes). But I've done some deeper analysis of the situation below. Keep reading for major insight. Most golfers think anything over 4.5 hours is too long to play a round of golf. When you find your golf rounds are taking more than that and going past 5 hours, ...
How to get in the middle of a full field?
If you're in the middle of a full field, expect to sit behind the group in front of you forever. Relax, take your time and practice your chipping and putting. Try to hit golf balls into them or scream at them when you're on the par 3 tee boxes. Just as a friendly reminder of who's in control.
What is the difference between a three ball and a four ball?
three-ball: if you're stuck behind a three-ball, you're in between a slow and a fast round. four-ball: Four-ball s can be of two varieties. One which thinks they own the course and one which realizes the guys behind are quicker. Pray for the second option. And hit golf balls into the first.
How long does it take to hit a three ball?
three-ball: 3 hours 30 minutes. four-ball: 4 hours. Take off maybe 15 or 30 minutes if using carts and hitting in the same area as each other. Add 30 minutes to an hour if you've been drinking.
Is golf fast if you shoot 120?
If you shoot 120, golf will be slower. Unless you pick your ball up after 6 shots and walk the rest of the hole. Then golf is very quick. It's not fun, but it's quick. If you want to break 100 or 90 check out my guide here. If you're very good at golf and can shoot a 72, golf will be quick.
Is golf fast or slow?
Golf can be quick and golf can be slow. Just find a way to enjoy it and not complain too much because it kills your vibe and makes you play badly as well as your playing partners.
How many yards should I drive a golf ball?
As an average golfer, you drive it an average of 208 yards (that’s according to a 2017 USGA study). Given the distance you hit the ball, you should be playing a 5,400-yard course (that’s according to PGA of America recommendations). But knowing your ego, we recognize that you’re probably not going to tee it that far forward.
How long does it take to walk 18 holes?
With that adjustment, we expect you to walk about 5 miles over 18 holes. Assuming a gentle walking pace of 3 miles per hour, that’s a distance you should cover in 1 hour and 40 minutes. Along the way, you’ll be taking 90 shots.
How long do you have to take a bathroom break in a poker game?
You’ll be taking bathroom breaks (we’ll allow 1 minute per player per round for that); lighting cigars (15 seconds per player per round); and telling bad jokes (30 seconds per player per round; if it takes you longer than that to tell your jokes, you should not be telling them). —2 additional minutes for joke-telling.
How long does it take to shoot 90 shots?
It’s plenty of time to hit 90 shots. So, 25 minutes per player, and four players in your group. That’s 1 hour and 40 minutes in shot-preparation. Add that to the 1 hour and 40 minutes it takes to walk the course, and we’re now at 3 hours and 20 minutes. We understand that you’re not robots.
How long does it take to play 18 holes?
In golf, pace of play matters. Lots of golfers can't stand 18-hole rounds which drag into five or six hours of their day. Part of golf's pace of play problem is many golfers simply choose to take as long as they need to hit a shot, or they don't get moving quickly enough when it is their turn to play a shot.
What is the rule for a golfer to hit a shot?
Under Rule 6-7, golfers are not given a specific amount of time to hit a shot, but they're not allowed to cause "undue delay" in a round. Under Rule 33-1, tournament organizers (like a professional golf tour) can set specific time limits for a stroke, hole or round, which is often called "time par.". The PGA Tour and other professional tours have ...
How long does it take to recover from a golf shot?
That means, after the preceding player's shot stops at its resting place. And while it may not seem like it at first, 40 seconds is a long time for most golf shots -- though a recovery around a few trees in the woods may take a little longer to figure out before executing.
Does golf have a shot clock?
So while golf doesn't have a shot clock (most of the time), the Rules of Golf do tell us approximately how long we should take to hit a shot once it's our turn.
How long does it take to play golf?
The only honest answer to how long it takes to play a round of golf is: "It takes as long as it takes.". Golf isn't a timed game, like football or basketball, and there are many variables that can affect the amount of time a round can take.
How long does it take to complete a golf round?
To complete a round in four and a half hours, the average time per hole increases to 15 minutes.
What is slope rating in golf?
The USGA assigns slope ratings to golf courses that are an indication of the difficulty of a course. If you are playing a course that is rated as difficult, and you are not a scratch golfer, it's reasonable to expect a somewhat longer playing time than on a course that is not as challenging.
How long does it take to play a golf ball?
Under Rule 16-2, if any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the golfer is given “enough time to reach the hole,” then must play the ball within 10 seconds. Should the ball fall into the hole after the 10-second period, the player is assessed a 1-stroke penalty. If the ball remains on the edge of the cup without dropping into the hole, there is no penalty, even if the player waits more than 10 seconds to take his shot.
What is the rule for golfing without delay?
Rule 6-7 states that a golfer must play a shot “without undue delay.” The same rule applies to players who’ve just completed a hole (other than the 18th), stat ing that they must proceed to the next tee to continue their round and not “ unduly delay play.” Rule 6-7 also allows a tournament committee to set its own standards to discourage slow play.
Is slow play discouraged in golf?
Golf Association doesn’t specify a time limit in which a golfer must play a shot. The rules make it clear, however, that slow play is discouraged.
How Long Does Eighteen Holes Of Golf Take To Play?
Assuming you’re playing in a group of four, it will take approximately 15 minutes per hole. With 18 holes lasting roughly 15 minutes each, that puts a group of 4 taking about 4 hours and 15 minutes to play a group of 18 holes.
Factors That Determine How Long It Takes To Play 18 Holes Of Golf
There are many variables that will affect how long it takes you (or your group) to play through 18 holes. We’ll walk through these now. Also take a look at our guide on how long it takes to play 9 holes of golf if you’re planning a half round.
How To Speed Up The Time It Takes For 18 Holes Of Golf
There are a few ways to reduce the amount of time you or your group will spend playing 18 holes of golf. Let’s take a look below.
What is the USGA rule book?
The USGA rule book is the law for tournament play; it is absolute, without discussion. If it's your first time entering in an event, from as comfortable as a club championship to U.S. Open qualifying, you need to be well-versed on golf's legislation. And because there are so many golf rules, one could feel overwhelmed.
What happens if the ball falls off the tee?
Ball falls off tee. There's a shocking amount of players that aren't 100 percent sure what to do when this happens. Simple: You get to re-tee without penalty. (Exception: You've already whiffed on the first shot. If the ball then falls off, you have to play it as it lies.)
Do players understand they get help in such scenarios?
Most players understand they get help in such scenarios. In that same vein, most don't know the proper way to push ahead. You take your stance, from there getting one club length of relief. The new spot has to be without interference from what caused the drop.
Do you need a copy of the USGA rules book?
Most tournaments have rules officials on site, and all golfers should have a copy of the USGA rules book in their bag for more intricate situations and rulings . But the aforementioned points serve as the foundation for the obstacles you'll likely encounter during tournament play.
