Knowing how long does 18 holes of golf take depends on several factors, but the average round for 4 players is around 5 hours. Luckily for you we have our handy golf pace of play calculator to help you get a more accurate number for your upcoming round of golf.
Key Takeaways
How long does 18 holes of golf take?
How long to golf 18 holes largely depends on how many people are playing, and if everyone is riding or walking. A solo golfer could take anywhere from 1.5 hours to play 18 holes, and a group of 4 golfers could take as long as 5 hours to play 18 holes of golf.
18 hole golf pace of play calculator
Use our fancy golf pace of play calculator to see an approximate time for your round.
Max number of golfers is “5”, and use the average skill level as “1” being a beginner and “5” being very low handicapper.
Average time for 18 holes of golf
The average time for 18 holes of golf is around 3 hours 20 minutes. The biggest factors in determining the time are WHEN you are playing and HOW MANY golfers are in the group.
Weekend mornings will definitely be the slowest round of the week, with weekday mornings being the fastest pace you can play.
If you have a full group of 5 golfers and it’s a weekend you are at least looking at a 4+ hour average 18 hole golf time.
If you are more pressed for time, but still need to get in those swing reps, you can still find time to play 9 holes of golf.
How long does it take to play 18 holes of golf with 4 players?
Determining how long to golf 18 holes for a full group of golfers on a weekend, it could take as long as 5 hours to play a round of golf. Especially if you are playing at a public course with cheaper green fees.
The quickest way to play 18 holes of golf with 4 players is to hit up a weekday morning with everyone in a cart. That should only take a minimum of 3 hours if everyone playing is an average golfer (or better).
How long does it take to play 18 holes of golf with 2 players?
Figuring out how long to golf 18 holes with 2 players is much more simple.
If both players share a cart, and are at a similar skill level, you can get into a pretty solid groove and get a round in approximately 2-3 hours.
How long are 18 holes of golf in miles?
The standard distance for a full 18-hole golf course is typically between 5,000 and 7,000 yards, which is equivalent to approximately 2.84 to 3.98 miles.
From my personal experience, those numbers are a bit on the lighter side.
When me and my buddies walk 18 holes on our home course we always walk a little over 6 miles.
How many calories do you burn walking 18 holes of golf?
Walking a 6-mile golf course can burn a significant number of calories
We live in Louisiana(hot all the time) so that equates to burning around 500-600 calories.
Not a bad way to get in your fitness is it?
Now, if you are one of the chosen few that has access to a golf simulator, and want to keep your calories un-burned, you can get your 18 holes of golf in on a simulator.
How long does it take to play 18 holes of golf on a simulator?
Playing golf on a simulator cuts out all the time spent cleaning your clubs after every shot, walking back to the cart, driving to your ball and so on.
If you are solo, the time it takes to play 18 holes of golf on a simulator is around 1-1.5 hours. Add an extra 30 minutes per player.
Average time to play 18 holes of golf with a cart
The average time to golf 18 holes with a cart is pretty consistent with the above pace of play calculator. We estimate the average of 3 hours 45 minutes for a normal 4 player group, and if playing a weekend the average jumps up to 4 hours with a cart.
What is a good golf score for 18 holes?
When it comes to golf, score is everything.
Finding what is considered “good” can vary depending on things like course difficulty(course rating/course slope), and also weather conditions.
But, if we just boil it down to an average golf course with standard conditions, we can safely average out what is a good golf score for 18 holes with the following handicap ranges…
| Handicap | Avg. Score |
|---|---|
| Handicap0-5 | Avg. Score77.5 |
| Handicap6-10 | Avg. Score83 |
| Handicap11-15 | Avg. Score88 |
| Handicap16-20 | Avg. Score93 |
If you are unsure where your game is at, use our free handicap calculator.
Factors that affect how long to golf 18 holes
Course design
The design of the golf course can have a significant impact on the length of a round. Factors such as the length of the holes, the number of hazards, and the overall difficulty of the course can all affect how long it takes to complete a round.
For obvious reasons, courses with longer holes, more hazards, and faster greens will generally take longer to play.
Number of players
One of the biggest factors in knowing how long it’s going to take you to play 18 holes of golf is the number of players in your group.
You will notice this mostly on the greens when 4-5 golfers are having to mark his/her ball, and then when a putt rolls 5 feet by the hole the player still has to mark the ball and wait for everyone else in the group to play out their putts.
Skill level of players
The skill level of the players in a group can also have an impact on how long it takes to play 18 holes.
More experienced players may be able to complete each hole more quickly than less experienced players, which can help to speed up the overall pace of play.
Golfers that play more golf simply know his/her way around managing pace of play.
Less experienced players take longer to complete each hole, and are not accustomed to knowing exactly what he/she needs to do on a shot-by-shot basis to speed up play.
Pace of play
Speaking of pace of play, the golf course can also have a significant impact on how long it takes to complete a round.
If the course is crowded, or if other groups are playing slowly, it can cause delays for all players on the course.
Best time to play 18 holes of golf
When it comes to playing 18 holes of golf, the time of day and week can have a significant impact on the pace of play. Here are some things to keep in mind when scheduling your tee time:
What time of day is best for playing golf?
The best time of day to play 18 holes of golf is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
During these times, the course is less crowded, and the temperature is cooler (speaking on behalf of those that play in the south 🙂.
What is the best day of the week to play 18 holes of golf?
The best day of the week to play 18 holes of golf is typically during the weekdays, as the courses are less crowded.
More players play on the weekends, which can lead to slower play. If you try to play on the weekends, consider booking a late afternoon tee time to have time for the morning crowds to clear out.
Tips to play 18 holes of golf the quickest
Be ready to play
One of the best ways to speed up play is to be ready to hit your shot when it’s your turn. This means shooting your yardage, and starting your pre-shot routine while others are playing.
Walk faster
Walking faster between shots can also help speed up play. Golfers should try to maintain a decent pace and avoid unnecessary delays. This means not looking for lost balls for too long.
Be mindful of pace
Golfers should be mindful of their pace and try to keep up with the group in front of them. If the group in front is playing slowly, see if they will let you play through.
Play “ready golf”
Playing ready golf means hitting your shot as soon as you’re ready, regardless of who has honors. This can help speed up play significantly.
Use a golf cart
Using a golf cart can also help speed up play, especially for golfers who have difficulty walking long distances.
Alright let’s wrap things up
Playing 18 holes of golf can be a fun way to burn a few hours, but it’s important to plan for the time commitment.
Note things mentioned earlier and plan accordingly so you can attack your next 18 holes of golf with a fury unknown to mankind.
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wolfitgolf and let us if you have implemented any of our tactics mentioned above to improve your golf game. We want to hear your progress.
This article was written by Kyle Broughton. Kyle has been involved in golf for over 35 years, and has learned more than enough about the game of golf to pass along his expertise to amateur golfers across the globe.