
Should you play 9 or 18 holes of golf?
On the side of 18 holes, an 11-seed with an affinity for power fades and a power washers, executive editor Alan Bastable. You can watch their battle in the video above or read their arguments below. That’s Debatable: Walking or riding? We found the best way to play golf Affordability — Playing 9 is cheaper than playing 18 holes!
How long does an 18-hole round of golf take?
If you're playing in a tournament with a shotgun start or a special format, you can expect your 18-hole round to take five or six hours. Sometimes standard rounds can last that long, too, particularly if golf courses stack up tee times at 8- or 10-minute intervals.
How long should a round of golf last?
Sometimes standard rounds can last that long, too, particularly if golf courses stack up tee times at 8- or 10-minute intervals. Avoid those courses.
How long does it take to play a golf course?
Each golf course typically contains three types of holes: Par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s. For a group of four players, Par-3 holes take approximately 10 minutes per hole to complete; par-4s take about 13 minutes, and par-5s around 16 minutes to complete.

Can you take a break after 9th hole?
Quick stops at the turn -- After nine holes, it's fine to make a stop at the clubhouse or pro shop for a snack or a drink. But make it a quick trip, as in less than 5 minutes. This keeps the groups moving. Playing the proper tees -- This is incredibly important.
How long should 9 holes of golf last?
1 ½ to 3 hoursIt 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.
Can you play 18 holes in 3 hours?
A twosome or threesome could expect to play in three to four hours, depending on the pace of the groups ahead of them. A single player can play as fast as the players in front allow. It's not unheard of for a single player to finish a round of golf in two hours or less.
How long should it take you to play 18 holes of golf?
four hoursAs 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 a beginner to play 9 holes of golf?
On an empty golf course, a single player or a skilled twosome can play a 9-hole round in as little as 75 minutes. That can be walking or riding, depending on the age of the players. On a busy golf course with average to poor players, a 9-hole round can take in upwards of 3 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.
What is the maximum amount of golf clubs a golfer is allowed to have in their bag?
14 clubsTopic Overview: You are allowed to carry up to 14 clubs for play (but you can have fewer). There is no restriction on the type of clubs you carry – for instance you can carry multiple putters, multiple drivers, or some left-handed clubs and some right-handed.
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.
Do pro golfers walk the course?
Yet on the PGA Tour, professional golfers walk the entire course with their caddy lugging the clubs without so much as a hand cart. This is because all the major tours, the PGA Tour included, believe that walking is an integral part of the game and requires all golfers to walk the course.
How long does it take to be a good golfer?
It can take up to six months for a beginner to even master hitting the ball the right way. Yes, you read correctly, six months. The reason is that hand-eye coordination required for golf is severely underrated.
How long should it take to hit a golf shot?
40 secondsHow long do I have to hit my shot? A. It is recommended that you make a stroke in no more than 40 seconds.
What is considered slow play in golf?
Slow play on the golf course is usually a habit that a golfer acquires over time, as he or she acquires bad habits. Or it's the result of the golfer never having been taught proper golf etiquette. This means a slow golfer can usually be "cured" of his malady.
Why is golf 9 holes?
The reason why so many of us gain exposure to golf in this way is because shorter courses with fewer holes are more palatable.
Is it easier to play 9 or 18 holes?
Accessibility — It’s easier to start off by playing 9 than 18! 18 holes takes forever, it’s intimidating if you’re a beginner … play nine! Flexibility — You can squeeze in a quick nine in the mornings or the evenings and soak up every minute of it. it’s the best way to maximize limited golf time. 18 holes is restrictive.
How Long Does It Take to Play 18 Holes of Golf?
So, how long does it usually take to play an entire golf round, all 18 holes? The United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A) conducted a study to determine the average time a golf round needs to be completed.
What Is the Problem with Slow Play?
Slow play is when a golfer takes too long to finish their round. This can lead to frustration for both the players and their playing partners.
Factors that Affect How Long a Round of Golf Takes
Earlier, we mentioned that the time a round of golf takes to complete would vary depending on many variables. These include the number of players, weather conditions, players' skill level, etc. Let's now tackle each factor individually in more detail.
What Are the Benefits of Faster Play?
There are several benefits of playing a fast-paced round of golf. One of these benefits is that you'll enjoy your round more. You'll feel happier and more relaxed after completing a faster-paced round.
What Are the Best Tips to Reduce Golf Course Time?
Now that we have established that a faster pace of play can make a golf round more enjoyable, you might be asking yourself how to speed up your pace. There are certain tips you can try to achieve that; let's cover some of them in more detail.
Final Thoughts
Golf is a very technical game. It takes a lot of practice and strategy to play. Everything needs to be calculated to enjoy the game without any surprises.
How Long Does It Take to Play 9 Holes of Golf?
Most players who don’t have much time on their hands go for 9 holes of golf. It takes 2 to 2 hours and 30 minutes and lets you enjoy a great day at the court. Busy golf enthusiasts with time constraints can also play 6 holes of golf.
How Long Does It Take to Play 18 Holes of Golf?
If you’re an old-school golf lover and have plenty of time, 18 holes are the game for you. Unlike 9 hole games, it takes a lot of time to complete one round of 18 holes. So, it’s good to have an entire day at hand when planning to play this game.
Conclusion
By now, your question “how long does it take to play 9 holes of golf” must have been answered. One of the key reasons players aim to complete a game faster is participation.
Type Of Course
Are you playing a full-length, par 72 golf course or a par 3 course? The amount of time it takes to play a par 3 course is much shorter than a standard course. The average of 4 hours and 17 minutes is based on a standard golf course. You can play 18 holes on a par 3 course in 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Day Of The Week
If you are trying to figure out how long it’ll take to play a round of golf, you need to understand how many other players will be on the course. A large portion of the delay in your round will be waiting on other players to finish in front of you.
Tee Time (Time of Day)
If you want to play fast, we would recommend you try to get one of the first times in the morning or play in the late afternoon. Golf courses will be busiest from mid-morning through early afternoon.
Walking Vs. Riding (In A Golf Cart)
In general, you can play a round of golf more quickly if you’re riding in a golf cart - common sense, right? The only thing you want to pay attention to is the recent weather and the golf course rules. If the course is wet and the rules say “Cart Path Only,” you may actually play quicker if you’re walking directly to your ball vs.
Size Of Group
Are you playing by yourself or did you bring three friends? You’ll finish much quicker if you’re playing by yourself versus in a foursome. One thing to keep in mind is that many golf courses will pair you up with other players. Don’t assume that because you made a tee time for yourself that you’ll get to play in a onesome.
Course Difficulty
Tricky or difficult courses take longer to play. Anytime your ball goes in the woods, high grass, or near the lake, you’ll spend time looking for it. Time searching for golf balls will increase the length of your round. Not to mention, most players will shoot higher scores on harder golf courses. More shots means more time!
Weather Conditions
Always check the forecast before you leave the house. First, you want to be prepared with the appropriate golf gear to handle the elements and second, the weather can have a direct impact on how long it takes you to play a round of golf.
How long does it take to play an 18 hole golf course?
On an empty golf course, a single player or a skilled twosome can play an 18-hole round in as little as 2 hours.
How long does it take to play ready golf?
That will save up to 30 minutes per round.
How long does it take to get to the 4 hour mark?
The idea, then, is that each hole should take an average of 13 minutes to get to that 4-hour mark. The par 3s should take about 10 minutes, while the par 4s take about 13 and the par 5s take about 15 minutes. Of course, that's with a full foursome on an average golf course with an average number of people playing.
Is it bad to play from the back tee box?
Play from the right tee box for your skill level and driving ability. If you're not a long hitter and you can barely break 100, playing from the back tees is a bad idea.
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.
The Time It Takes to Play 18 Holes Depends On Many Factors
A typical round of golf that has 18 holes takes a little over four hours. Some courses may play faster and some slower depending on many different factors. It varies from about 3 1/2 – 5 hours.
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Play an 18 Hole Round of Golf
The type of golf course will absolutely affect the time it takes to play.
