For most golfers, playing an 18-hole round is a significant time commitment. So How long does 18 holes of golf take? The answer depends on your skill level. Beginners should expect to spend 4-5 hours on the course, average golfers take around 4-4.5 hours, while pros can complete 18 holes in less than 3 hours.
Understanding the time requirements for an 18-hole round is key to planning your day on the golf course. In this article, we’ll break down how long a full round takes for golfers at every skill level. We’ll also look at the factors impacting pace of play and provide tips to help you play faster. Let’s tee off!
How long does 18 holes of golf take?
If you’re new to golf, expect your first 18-hole rounds to take between 4 and 5 hours. As a beginner, you’ll likely play slower for several reasons:
- You’re still learning course management and shot selection
- You lack distance off the tee, requiring more shots to reach greens
- You may need more strokes to finish holes due to higher scores
- You’ll spend time looking for wayward shots in rough or hazards
- You’re unfamiliar with golf etiquette and pace of play norms
Beginners should estimate that each hole will take 15-20 minutes, including the time spent walking or riding between holes. Some beginners report rounds exceeding 5 hours, especially on crowded public courses.
The bottom line is that as a newcomer to golf, you can expect to be on the course for a full morning or afternoon when playing a complete 18-hole round. Come prepared with snacks, proper attire, and patience for a round lasting up to 5 hours.
How Quickly Do Average Golfers Play 18 Holes?
Once you’ve developed consistent ball-striking skills and course management ability, you’ll see your pace improve. For the average recreational golfer shooting in the 90s or 100s, a typical 18-hole round takes between 4 and 4.5 hours.
Some key factors enabling average golfers to play 18 holes in less than 5 hours include:
- Increased distance off the tee, resulting in fewer strokes to reach greens
- Improved shot accuracy, reducing time spent looking for wayward shots
- Better course management and awareness of when to layup versus go for par
- Familiarity with golf etiquette like playing ready golf
- Ability to bounce back from bad holes and avoid frustration slowdowns
The biggest influencer on pace as an average golfer is avoiding three-putts, penalties, and blow-up holes where you record a triple bogey or worse. By making routine pars and eliminating big numbers, 18 holes can be completed comfortably between 4 and 4.5 hours in How long does 18 holes of golf take.
How Fast Can Pro Golfers Play 18 Holes?
Elite professional golfers are able to complete an 18-hole round incredibly fast. PGA Tour pros often finish 18 holes in under 3 hours during competitive rounds. In a casual round without galleries or spotters, pros could break 2.5 hours.
Some of the ways pro golfers maximize pace include:
- Hitting driver 300+ yards off many tees
- Laser-like iron accuracy hitting majority of greens in regulation
- One or two-putting most greens
- Very few penalty strokes or drives hit OB
- Optimal course management and club selection
- Fluid pre-shot routines taking little time
- Walking briskly between shots
- Rarely needing to search for lost balls
The scoring average of pros is so much lower than amateurs that their number of total strokes to complete holes is vastly lower too. With birdies plentiful and few doubles or worse, golf’s elite play at a pace unattainable for most.
For professionals, 18 holes becomes much more about maximizing rest and nutrition between holes than total time spent playing. Their abundant skill allows them to complete the on-course portion of tournaments in under 3 hours consistently.
Tips to Improve Your Pace of Play
Now that you understand the time it takes to play 18 holes based on skill level, let’s look at some ways you can improve your pace and avoid slow play:
- Be ready to hit when it’s your turn. Don’t start your pre-shot routine until the group ahead has cleared the way.
- Limit practice swings. More than a couple waggles or rehearsals becomes overkill.
- Walk briskly between shots. Don’t dawdle after your swing or around the green.
- Use a golf cart efficiently. Drop off the rider and driver on their shots to save trips.
- Aim for bogey. Don’t spend ages stuck in a bunker or hazard chasing par on tough holes.
- Play ready golf. Hit when you’re ready instead of adhering strictly to shot order.
- Keep pace with the group ahead. Your goal is to not fall behind the group in front of you.
- Avoid excessive searches. Take a drop if you can’t find a ball within a couple minutes.
Improving pace of play is a collaborative effort by everyone in the group. Do your part to be an efficient, courteous golfer and help others play faster too. With some mindfulness and effort, we can all get 18 holes completed in under 5 hours.
Final Thoughts – Plan Ahead for 18 Holes of Golf
Knowing roughly how long an 18-hole round of golf will take based on your abilities is crucial for planning. As we covered, beginners should set aside up to 5 hours for their first 18-hole rounds. Average golfers can expect to complete in 4-4.5 hours, while pros can go low in under 3 hours with minimal delays.
No matter your skill level, come prepared for your round with proper attire, golf gear, snacks, and the mindset that 18 holes is a time-intensive activity. Taking steps to improve your pace of play will also help you maximize rest time between holes. If possible, avoid booking tee times too late in the day to ensure you can complete all 18 holes before dark.
With the right expectations and preparation, playing a full round of golf can be a fun, rewarding experience. Now that you know roughly how long it takes, you can confidently book those 18-hole tee times and make the most of your day on the course!
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