How Long Does It Take To Play 18 Holes Of Golf?

Last Updated on October 4, 2022 by Deb

We all know that many people play golf for relaxation and gather enjoyable experiences because it helps to reduce mental stress. So how long it takes time to complete an actual golf round does not matter who plays golf as a recreational game. On the other hand, for an athlete who takes golf as a profession, the average time for completing a round of an 18-holes golf course is a considering issue. Besides, hundreds of questions arise in a newcomer’s mind who learns the techniques of playing golf. Among these queries, the most critical question is how long does it take to play 18 holes of golf. In this article, we are trying to give all possible information related to this question of time between holes demand in golf.

How Long Does It Take To Play 18-holes of golf?

Golfers generally need around 2-3 hours to finish an 18-hole round. But many factors affect the actual search time because golf is a relaxation game, and every golf course builds differently. As the system playing conditions, the golfer’s age, gender, and skill are not the same, the required time to complete a golf round varies for the average golfer. This tee times variation also creates an issue for a tournament where many participants come to participate. Besides, due to the lack of proper instruction, many golfers lose their pace in golf. Thinking of all these facts, on the 1st January 2019, The Golf Association changed the golf rules to enhance the players’ speed.

Below is the expected time to complete an 18-hole golf course. The players must complete the holes within this time-limitation.

However, this predictable time is not the real-time one who still learns to handle each technique successfully. The slow golf swing speed can make the finishing time 6 hrs. Besides, the crowded course increases the time of completion of holes. So if any player needs extra time to throw his ball into a specific hole than expected, it will not be his fault. On the other hand, the anticipated time of a 9-hole golf course will be lesser than an 18-holes course. And, it is not a surprising topic in golf games at all.

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Factors affecting the round of golf time

While playing, golfers have to do specific chores like finding out the ball keeps the score’s records. And after completing, they also have to move their golf bag and other gears out of the course to give a chance for the players waiting to play. So the time of the entire play increases for these additional tasks. Besides, there are also have many factors that have a significant influence on the time-bound. There are as follows.

1. Course size

Depending on the available land area, the size of every golf course varies from others. If the course size is comparatively more extensive, playtime will also be more. It is pretty simple to understand that a long playground takes more minutes per player to complete a golf round than any more minor system, so course length is a substantial reason for increasing the completion time on an 18-holes golf course.

2. Course design

The land topography changes the golf course configuration. The golf course near the ocean and a hilly area have a different layout, dramatically influencing the expected course time. We see various areas like greens, roughs, fairways, bunkers, etc. The design of these different zones also affects the average course time. The effect of every point of a standard golf course has given below.

i. Hole’s number

The number of total playing holes in a golf course depends on the area’s dimension and the land topography. The variation in the hole’s number changes the expected completion time of golf. Usually, golfers can complete one round on a 9-hole course quickly compared to an 18-holes golf course.

ii. Rough’s length

The rough length increases the course time because it takes more time to find out the balls. Besides, the long grasses around the wild make the chip shot more difficult. When golfers get difficulties on chip shots, generally, more course time will be.

iii. Tee options

The course has more teeing options because golfers require a little more time to decide on which tee cup they put their golf ball in and make the next tee shot.

iv. Green’s condition

In golf courses, all greens can’t build in the same terrain. Some of them are flat, and some are sloppy. That’s why golfers face different conditions while swinging their clubs. The fast greens deserve less time than a cluttered or hard green.

v. The gap between tees and greens

Some hilly courses where golfers need a golf cart to carry their bags on the next tee. And this fact higher the course time. When the space between tees and greens is no more, golfers can complete their tasks in less time, usually lowering the average golf round period.

vi. Course’s obstacles

If any course has more obstacles like trees, bunkers, roughs, bushes, water hazards, players need more time to throw their balls into the holes.

3. Participant’s Number

The number of players in a group makes the course time-intensive and increases the playing period. When two golfers play in the ready golf course, they usually require less time to finish the round than having four participants.

4. Skill Level of golfers

In general, low-handicappers or experienced golfers take a little time to complete the holes of golf green because they make fewer wrong shots than a high-handicapper or a beginner golfer. That’s why a golfer’s playability is considerable for the picture to swing shot, period. Besides, beginner golfers need more time than professional golfers to choose the right club for the next shot, which is also a higher average playing time.

5. Visitor’s presence

Depending on the course’s reputation, the visitors or club members vary. And the golf course where more players come to play golf will increase the ultimate round time. Every group requires additional time to prepare the golf playground for other players. The time between the two groups also enhances the course engagement.

6. Golfer’s attitude

Golf is a game where every player must follow the rules and regulations of the game. Some average golfers in a group may be impatient and react or take the situation gently when others take more strokes to finish the shot. These unexpected behaviors generally extend the course spell. Besides, the understanding between playing partners lowers the actual time to complete an 18-round golf course.

7. Game’s type

Some golf groups come to the course for playing it as a recreational game when they get plenty of time to play. And these recreational play increases the entire playing time because all members allow others to create shots that will not be perfect. On the other hand, golfers are trying to complete the round with fewer swings in a tournament play. Besides, as pro golfers, they take little time to select the shot and right club to make it. This professionalism lowers the tournament time.

8. Use of golf gears

When golfers go to the course, they carry different numbers of golf clubs. When players have many options to choose the golf gear, they generally need more time to pick the best one. And this entire process increases the course time. Besides, some courses are so large that there has a cart path for using a golf cart to move the gears. In those kinds of course, if anyone walks for transferring to another tee through the cart path, usually it deserves more time to finish the round.

Moreover, maximum prominent course owner provides caddie servicers. This kind of facility helps lower the maintenance time required after the match. Caddie services are also an excellent facility for slow golfers.

9. Weather Conditions

The climatic condition has an impact on the course spell. On a rainy day, it requires more time to finish the entire play. On the other hand, golfers don’t need to stop the space for any unexpected rain on a sunny day or winter. They can regularly finish the game. Besides, on a hot, humid day, golfers need to take tea breaks several times, increasing the average game time. However, it does not make it possible to lower the game by half, but the above facts significantly influence the time for playing in an 18-holes or a standard golf course.

First-Ever 18 Hole Round of Golf

Simple ways to lower the average time to play 18-holes of golf 

We already know from the above discussion that we can’t reduce the average or expected time when many factors affect the intermediate round phase. Still, if we follow the below instructions, we can lower the unexpected waste of moments between the play of two groups.

• After leaving the green by one group, start playing as early as possible.
• Use multiple teeing grounds for starting the play.
• Try to create a group with fewer golfers. If it is possible, limit the member’s number only to four.
• Make the schedule with different groups like golf experts and learner groups.
• Fix the par number. It will help to reduce the average length of the playing time.
• Build up positive and caring communication between the course authority and the visitors.
• If the course has the best-quality volunteers and caddie facility, the average playtime can trim down more than the other courses.
• If the course has a penalty system for slow play, it can lower time wastage. It will restrict the golfer from taking too many strokes for an expected shot distance.
• If the course design has a clear sign for every point, it will help to lower the wastage of minutes per player while golfing.
• The easier roughs and wide fairways can reduce the expected completion time for golfing.
• Various teeing options for golfers like men, women, kids, and aged players can also lower the average time for golf in an 18-holes golf course.
• If golfers behave gently and invite others to play behind the tee, they also use a good sign for reducing average round time.

Wrap Up

We hope from the above discussion we can clear the conception about the expected time for completing the golf round in an 18-holes golf course. And you can also realize that it will not be possible to reduce the time by half or more to complete all holes of the golf course. So if you love golf, try to follow the course’s regulations and help others maintain the pace of the game of golf. You can lessen the wastage of time.