How long does it take to play 9 holes of golf?

The following are the average duration it takes for an average golfer to complete a 9-hole round, which is around 3KM of distance.

1. 1-Player game = 75 minutes (1h,15m)
2. 2-Player game = 90 minutes (1h,30m)
3. 3-Player game = 105 minutes (1h,45m)
4. 4-Player game = 120 minutes (2h,00m)

Of course, there are many factors that can increase or reduce these durations, see the next section below. [source]

Factors that can affect the duration of a Golf game

The duration of a game of golf can be affected by a variety of factors, ranging from:

1) The number of players on the golf course.

In general, the more players there are, the longer the game will take.

This is because each player will need to take their turn and others may be waiting in line.

2) The skill level of the players.

The length of the game can vary depending on the players’ abilities. 

If the players are beginners, it is likely that the game will take longer as they will need more time to complete each hole. 

Conversely, if the players are experienced and skilled, they will be able to finish the game in a shorter amount of time.

3) How familiar the golf players are with the golf course

One of the factors is how familiar the players are with the course, if the players are local, they will likely know the layout of the course and the location of all the holes, bunkers and hazards. 

This can save a lot of time as they will not have to spend time reading the Yardage charts & maps to understand the golf course. 

On the other hand, if the players are tourists who have travelled to a popular golf course, they may not be familiar with the layout and this can lead to the game taking more time than normal. 

4) The level of difficulty of a golf course

The level of difficulty of a golf course can definitely affect the duration of a golf game. 

For example, playing on one of the world’s 10 toughest golf courses like Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland, it will definitely need more time to finish. 

The extra time spent on the course will be due to the fact that there are more difficult shots and obstacles that need to be carefully planned & executed. 

In addition, the level of difficulty can also affect the score of a golfer. 

So, if a golfer is trying to improve their score, they may want to consider playing on a more difficult course. 

While it may take longer to finish, they will hopefully see a lower score at the end of the game.

5) Weather conditions

The Weather conditions can have a major impact on the duration of a golf game. 

If it is too hot, players will become fatigued more quickly and will take more breaks. 

If it is too cold, clubs may become less effective and balls may not travel as far because cold air is denser which resists the direction of the ball. According to Golfdigest, “the difference is approximately one yard of carry for every 10-degree change in temperature”.

In addition, if it is windy, golfers will have to adjust their shots to account for the wind speed and direction. 

All of these factors can lengthen or shorten a game of golf, making the weather an important consideration for any golfer.

6) Distance between holes

Last but not least, which is the most obvious one, the duration of the game can be affected by the distance between holes. 

When playing on a course with shorter distances between holes, players can expect to finish the game more quickly. 

This is because players will spend less time walking between shots and will have more opportunities to make shorter putts. 

On the other hand, when playing on a course with longer distances between holes, players can expect the game to last longer. 

This is because players will have to walk further between shots and may have more difficult putts. 

However, this problem can be solved by using a golf cart.

How to finish a golf game faster

1) Using a golf cart

One way to finish a game more quickly is to use a golf cart. 

With a golf cart, players can travel between shots without having to walk, which can save considerable time. 

In addition, carts can provide a welcome break from walking in hot weather or rough terrain. 

Of course, using a golf cart does have some drawbacks. 

1. It can be more expensive than walking. 
2. You will miss out on a great walking exercise.
3. You may miss out on interactions with other golfers.

Nevertheless, for those who want to finish their game quickly, a golf cart can be an invaluable tool.

2) Playing Ready Golf

In Ready Golf, players hit when they are ready and it is their turn, rather than waiting for the player farthest away from the hole to hit first. 

This can speed up the game because players don’t have to wait as long to take their shots. 

Ready Golf can also help prevent lost balls because players are less likely to hit into areas where there is a risk of losing a ball. 

Finally, Ready Golf can help players stay more focused on the game because they won’t have as much time to think about other things between shots. 

If you want to finish your next round of golf more quickly, try playing Ready Golf.

3) Having extra golf balls (to avoid searching for lost balls)

When playing golf, it’s important to be aware of the time. 

This is especially true if you’re playing on a crowded course or one with a lot of hazards. 

Searching for lost balls can take up valuable time, and it’s frustrating for both you and your fellow players. 

One way to avoid this problem is to bring extra golf balls with you on the course. 

That way, if you hit a ball into the woods or water, you can simply take another ball and tee off again. 

This will help keep the game moving and avoid any delays. 

In addition, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your group and make sure that everyone is keeping up with the pace of play.

4) Use an organised golf bag

Make sure you have an organized golf bag to carry your golf clubs, this will help you save time by choosing the right club for each shot without searching.