How Long Does 18 Holes of Golf Take

How Long Does 18 Holes of Golf Take? The Average Time Spent on Holes

The time it takes for 18-hole golf play depends on key factors. For example, the number of players playing should be a key consideration.

The more players in a group, the longer it takes to complete the whole game. The length of the course and par for a hole also come in. But how long does 18 holes of golf take approximately?

Typically, it takes around 4-5 hours, considering the standard size of the golf course and the minimum of players (4-5). But as we mentioned, time duration can vary based on the scenario you are playing. Sometimes, the tee time intervals become longer and finish 18 holes.

You don’t need a complex calculator to determine the time it takes to complete 18 holes of golf. I have made it simple for you.

Learn How Long Does 18 Holes of Golf Take?

We should have a sense of time no matter what we do. Golf is no exception. Pine Valley Golf Club is among the most popular golf courses in the United States.

The average 18-hole round takes 3-4 hours. Some people even complete the 18 holes of golf play within 2.5 hours when there are not enough golfers on the course.

Now, let’s know what can affect the duration of the play.

Number of Players

18-hole golf requires all the players who participate in the round to complete each hole with an estimated maximum strokeplay.

If the group is larger (4-5), it will take more time (4-5 hours) to finish the game compared to two players in a group (3-3.5 hours). A single player can take up to 2.5 hours.

Course Length

You cannot skip this consideration while estimating the duration of 18-hole golf play. The average length of a par 72 course can be 6300 to 6600 yards.

And it can take around 4 hours to finish the game in this type of course. But if the hole-to-hole distance is not that long (let’s say 3 par for each hole), it might take 2.3-3 hours. Each par-4 hole requires around 15 minutes of play.

How You Play the Game

There’s no mandatory time range in golf within which you need to finish playing. However, a professional player with a lower handicap is supposed to take less time to fish each round.

If someone is a beginner or has a skill set that is not up to the highest standard, completing the 18 holes will take a long time.

The Time You Play Golf

If you want to finish the game fast, playing golf on the weekends isn’t a good option. And it might take around 5-6 hours.

On the other hand, playing golf on the weekdays will take comparatively less time. The fact is true in most of the golf courses around the globe.

Weather Conditions

This is something not in your control. The weather conditions can become too extreme and harsh, affecting the gameplay. For example, if there is rain and due to this, the surface can become wet. Completing 18 holes in this kind of golf course requires longer than usual.

Tee Time Break

The duration of the tee time break can vary depending on the golf course. The time will now add up to the actual period of the gameplay. The tee break period can now be anything from 15 to 20 minutes. Normally, when comparatively more players play the same round, the tee time break becomes a bit longer.

Other Factors

Some factors are within your control, but many can slow your golf play. However, they are outside your control. These can all impact the game. The rules for playing golf on all the courses are not the same. Following additional rules might take longer for the golfers to complete the holes.

Beyond this, the way you reach one hole to another should be considered when asking how long 18 holes of golf take. Moving from one hole to another with a cart is time-saving in some golf courses, whereas sometimes walking is the most efficient option.

And you know, the difficulty or challenge of playing golf on all golf courses is not the same. This could be another factor in how long an 18-hole round will take.

Conclusion

So, how long does 18 holes of golf take? Now you have the idea. You should always know enough about the golf course when playing golf.

You can also ask your fellow golfers how long 18 holes of golf take. Players do once on the golf course and find momentum playing, hardly checking their watches and thinking about time. That’s for the professionals, by the way.

I mentioned the most prominent factors that can impact the timing. Some golfers take a lot of time to perform practice swings, walk slowly from one hole to another, and take a refreshment break halfway through the round.

But these are natural, as we are human beings and want to play golf with enough relaxation.