How Long Is a Round of Golf? (Discover the 5 Most Important Factors)
How long is a round of golf? It depends. Golf is one of those games that can vary in length depending on several variables. The pace of play can change on not just a day-to-day basis but, in some instances, on an hour-to-hour basis, making it hard to estimate how long it takes to play a round of golf.
Let’s look at five factors to consider when calculating how long a round of golf might take to complete. Then we’ll better understand how we can determine the approximate length of time it will take to play a round.
Five Important Factors
- Golfer’s Skill Level
- The Weather
- Local Rules and Pace of Play
- Golf Course Difficulty
- Number of Players In the Group
Beginner vs Intermediate Golfers
Perhaps the first variable that comes into play is how good you are at the game. If you shoot in the 90s on 18 holes and all other factors are equal (weather, course rating, etc.), you’ll likely take longer playing a round of golf than your scratch golf counterpart. Although this is generally the case, it’s not always true. For instance, some of the longest rounds in golf occur at the professional level—more on this later.
The Weather
One of the main things when playing golf is considering the weather on any given day. When it’s sunny outside and the wind is mild or nonexistent, a round of golf should not be affected in terms of duration; however, when the wind is up or it’s raining, a round can stretch on longer than expected.
When playing golf in the rain, it’s essential to come prepared and utilize all necessary gear to stay dry, such as a rain suit made for golf, an umbrella, rain gloves (if desired), and other necessities, like an extra glove and towel.
In some circumstances, even when the weather is nice—and sometimes, mainly because the weather is nice—golfers will flood the course, and some may be slow players. In this case, a round of golf can be significantly affected, and 18 holes will take much longer than expected for a golfer, which is why it’s crucial to play ready golf. You should always hit your golf ball when it’s your turn and avoid slow play because if you break down a round not only hole by hole but shot by shot as well, then you can begin to understand how the pace of play will be affected during stroke play on an 18-hole round.
Local Rules and Pace of Play
The course rules for the day also affect the pace of play. For instance, if carts are to remain on the cart path for the day, then it will generally add time to a round of golf if you’re not walking the course and have to leave your golf bag on the cart while you walk to your golf ball to hit a shot.
Although courses usually have marshals governing play, especially on the weekends, some golfers will slow other groups down, which is why specific rules have been implemented in the U.S. by the United States Golf Association (USGA) as a guide for golf clubs and courses better understand the pace of play and how golfers should play a round of golf.
In professional golf, on tours like the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, a player can now get put on the clock when officials determine they may be taking too long to play a shot and causing slow play. However, it’s important to remember that these players are walking the course at the professional level and not using a golf cart. Also, when prize money is involved, and golf is a means to make a living, golfers tend to focus more and take longer to execute shots.
Golf Course Difficulty
Another less discussed yet equally vital factor to consider when determining how long a round of golf may last is a golf course’s slope and rating. The longer a course is in yards, the more time it will likely take to play it, especially if a golfer is walking. Additionally, the harder a golf course is, the more time a golfer will need to hit different shots, potentially take drops, hit an extra tee shot or two, and find lost balls, which means it will take more time to play the round.
A challenging golf course will especially affect golfers at the beginner skill level, so consider a course’s difficulty when determining how long your round may take because they come in many shapes and sizes.
Number of Golfers in the Group
After considering all the above factors, determining how long a round of golf will take depends on how many golfers are in your group. The average time to play 18 holes of golf with a cart will increase with 4 players compared to 2 players in a group, and it will take even longer to play a round if players in your group are walking.
So, How Long Is a Round of Golf?
Considering everything, and if all things are equal, a round of golf for a foursome should last somewhere in the 4 to 4 and a half hour range. You can subtract half an hour for every player less than a foursome. So, a twosome should be able to play a round of golf in 3 to 3 and a half hours, and if you’re playing golf alone without a playing partner, you should be able to play a round in 2 and a half to 3 hours.
How long does 9 holes of golf take for 2 players? For nine holes, you can just cut everything in half. So, if you’re trying to figure out how long nine holes of golf take for two players, you can just cut it in half and assume nine holes should take somewhere around 1 and a half to 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete.
What About Match Play?
Of course, this rule is different if you’re playing match play because a golf game conducted in match play can be as short as ten holes. Players may or may not finish each of these holes entirely depending on whether one player concedes a hole to another, making the pace of play less important because fewer shots may happen during the round. Match play is generally great for the pace of play, so consider trying it next time you book a tee time with buddies.
All the above are important factors to consider when determining how long a round of golf should take. However, it’s important to keep in mind that regardless of the amount of time spent on the golf course, enjoying your round should be your number one priority.
