How long does 18 holes of golf take?
A foursome on a typical public course usually takes around four to four and a half hours for 18 holes; nine holes takes about half that. Single players and twosomes can play faster if the course is open. Busy weekend mornings, tough courses and beginners in the group make rounds longer.
Typical round times
| Group | 18 holes | 9 holes |
|---|---|---|
| Single, open course | About 2.5–3 hours | About 1.5 hours |
| Twosome | About 3–3.5 hours | About 1.5–2 hours |
| Foursome | About 4–4.5 hours | About 2–2.25 hours |
| Busy weekend / event | 5 hours or more | 2.5 hours or more |
What slows a round down
- Waiting on groups ahead (the biggest factor on busy courses).
- Long searches for lost balls; the Rules limit a search to three minutes (Rule 18.2a).
- Not being ready to play; the Rules recommend 40 seconds or less per stroke (Rule 5.6).
- Long walks between greens and tees.
Walking vs riding
On an open course, riding is usually a little faster. On a busy course everyone moves at the pace of the slowest group, so walking rarely adds much time. If you walk, a light stand bag or push cart helps; see golf bags for walking.
How to play faster
- Play ready golf and use forward tees if you're new.
- Use a GPS watch or rangefinder instead of pacing off yardages; see our rangefinder picks.
- Hit a provisional ball when a shot might be lost.
- Book early-morning or late-afternoon tee times; see how to find cheap tee times.
- Follow the pace tips in our etiquette guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 9 holes of golf take?
Usually about two hours for a foursome and less for smaller groups.
Is 5 hours too long for a round of golf?
For a foursome on a public course, more than about four and a half hours is generally considered slow.
Is walking 18 holes slower than riding?
On a busy course there's usually little difference because pace is set by the groups ahead.