The pace of play in golf varies from one golf course to another, as well as by player or group. Sometimes it’s hard to know what “average” is, or even what’s considered slow. If you’ve ever played behind a group that seemed to turn 18 holes into a full-day event, you know this all too well! So how long does 18 holes of golf take, exactly?
In this guide, we’ll give you an in-depth look at how long 18 holes of golf takes and its various factors, like walking vs riding, public vs private courses, and weekdays vs weekends.
Average Golf Round Times at a Glance
If you are trying to understand the pace of play and how it typically works, these are some ballpark numbers you can use. While walking can sometimes take players longer, some theories suggest that walking can lead to shorter rounds because players can go directly to their golf ball without the fuss of a golf cart, golf bags, etc.
| Condition | 18 Holes | 9 Holes |
|---|---|---|
| Riding | 4:15 – 5:15 hours | 2:00 – 2:30 hours |
| Walking | 4:30 – 5:30 hours | 2:15 – 2:45 hours |
What Factors Influence the Pace of Play?
Before we break down exactly what you can expect for a public vs private or slow vs busy day on the course, let’s look at the factors that will influence the pace of play overall.
Tee time spacing: If tee times are packed at 8-minute intervals, even a 9-hole round can feel sluggish. Private courses often separate the tee times a bit more to allow golfers room and some better pace of play. Many public courses prioritize maximizing their revenue by packing the tee sheet a bit more.
Group sizes: Threesomes move faster than foursomes, but singles and twosomes may get held up behind slower groups. As great as it would be to play a round in half the time because you are a twosome, chances are you’ll run into the groups in front of you, and that will slow you down. Just remember, it’s all part of the enjoyment of the game!
Walking vs. riding: Golfers walking alone or in twosomes can play 9 holes in under 90 minutes. Larger walking groups usually take over 2 hours. The great thing about walking is that you can go directly to your golf ball, even if it takes a few seconds to get there. Around the greens, it’s much faster than parking the cart and having to move back to it, etc.
Player ability: The newest golfer in the group can sometimes be the fastest, but that takes some awareness. Everyone has bad holes from time to time that require more attention and time, but if you play with awareness of pace, even the highest handicappers can play faster.
9 Holes vs. 18 Holes: It’s Not Always Half the Time
Nine-hole rounds are great when you are short on time. You can head out to the course and enjoy some time without killing the entire day. Sometimes it seems like nine holes is an exact halfway point, but that’s not always the case.
- Front 9s tend to move faster because groups are fresher, and there’s usually less logjam at the start of a round.
- Back 9s often slow down as more groups are on the course and fatigue sets in.
Public vs. Private Courses
Private clubs often move faster, but not always for the reasons you think. Most private clubs have wider tee time intervals, typically around 10-12 minutes, compared to the 7-8 minute intervals you see at public courses.
In addition, private golf courses are typically filled with golfers who have been playing for years and joined the club for that reason. There are fewer beginner golfers, so players have more knowledge and tend to play faster.
Slow play still occurs at private clubs, and some courses that require caddies or walking only can also slow down the pace a bit. In addition, you’ll find the same issues with everyone trying to play at the same time on weekends and Fridays.
| Course Type | Average Time (18 Holes) | Average Time (9 Holes) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Course, Riding | 3:30 – 4:00 hours | 1:45 – 2:00 hours |
| Private Course, Walking | 4:00 – 4:30 hours | 2:00 – 2:15 hours |
| Public Course, Riding | 4:30 – 5:15 hours | 2:15 – 2:30 hours |
| Public Course, Walking | 4:45 – 5:30 hours | 2:30 – 2:45 hours |
Weekday vs. Weekend Rounds
Weekday rounds are usually faster because there are fewer players on the course. You’ll find more single riders and twosomes, especially heading out for early morning rounds. The weekends are slower.
You’ll notice the slowdown starting on Fridays as people have more time to get out on the course. For players who only get to enjoy one round of golf a week, they probably aren’t going to bust through their Saturday morning round and feel rushed.
In addition, the first tee times of the day (a.k.a. “dew sweepers”) move the fastest. Late afternoon rounds can move quickly, if you don’t mind racing the sunset. It’s really that prime window with those tee times in the 9-11 am range where you are at the greatest risk for a slower pace of play.
| Day Type | Average Time (18 Holes) | Average Time (9 Holes) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Morning | 3:30 – 4:00 hours | 1:45 – 2:00 hours |
| Weekday Afternoon | 4:00 – 4:30 hours | 2:00 – 2:15 hours |
| Weekend Morning | 4:30 – 5:15 hours | 2:15 – 2:30 hours |
| Weekend Afternoon | 4:45 – 5:30 hours | 2:30 – 2:45 hours |
Adjusting Your Game to Match the Pace
One of the hardest things about the pace of play is that you can’t guarantee it will be the same every time. You may play well when the pace is fast, but you can’t always guarantee that will be the situation you run into on the course. Here are some tips to match your pace of play to the conditions you have that day:
- Keep your pre-shot routine consistent: Don’t speed up your routine just because the group behind is breathing down your neck. Rushing often leads to bad shots and more time searching for your ball.
- Mentally prepare for delays: If you know you’re heading out on a busy Saturday afternoon, accept that it might take longer. Expecting a 3.5-hour round and playing 5 hours creates frustration.
Tips for Playing Faster Golf Without Rushing
If your group is the one that tends to slow the course down, here are a few tips to help move along faster.
- Play ready golf: Whoever is ready hits first.
- Limit practice swings: One or two is plenty.
- Use a rangefinder: Speeds up yardage decisions.
- Don’t linger on the green: Read it while others are putting in, and leave promptly.
- Park your cart smartly: Near the path to the next tee box.
How Long Does 18 Holes of Golf Take? However Long You’d Like!
Playing 18 holes of golf should be enjoyable, not a test of endurance or patience. While there are averages and expectations, the pace of play is just part of golf. Learning how to adapt, stay in rhythm, and do your part to keep things moving helps everyone enjoy the game a little more.
And if you’re ever in doubt? Ask the group behind you, “Want to play through?” That one sentence can shave 30 minutes off everyone’s day.
