Timing is one basic rule in golf you MUST adhere to, but it is easier said than done. How long does it take to play 9 holes of golf?
9 holes of a golf game would take half the time to play 18 holes — that is approximately 2½ hours or so.
But it is uncertain as many factors can determine the fate of the time.
We are talking about the player’s experience here, the size of the course, transportation, single or group play and many more.
Each of these can drastically change the hand of time in the game.
And on this page, we’ll take a closer look at each of these factors so that you can make time your alley.
How Long Does It Take To Play 9 Holes Of Golf?
Many busy golf enthusiasts with time constraints find a full golf game quite tiresome, so they prefer playing the nine holes game.
And if you’re one of them, rather than spending four and a half hours on the course playing 18holes, you would be on your way home in less than 3.
The average time to play nine holes of golf is around 2hours 30minutes.
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Let’s do the math properly:
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, On average, it takes about 13 to 15 minutes or more for each hole. That is the usual timeframe for most courses.
Don’t forget there is tee time — the time when the golf game kickstarts. It is crucial for organizing all the golfers on the course.
And depending on the course’s rules and regulations, the timing can be anywhere between 7 to 15 minutes.
You can play participate in pre-shot, approach shots, and tee shots routines.
Putting all these together, statistically speaking, a nine-hole game should take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Although, it might take pro golfers less than 2 hours to finish a nine-hole game; and more than 2hour 30minutes for inexperienced players. So it depends.
Factors That Affect the Time of a 9 Hole Game
1. The Size Of The Golf Course
It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a price; the size of the golf will also determine how long it takes you to play nine holes of golf.
It might take you 1 to 1 ½ hours to complete a sing round on a par three golf course.
However, if you are expected to make par 34 to par 37 on the greens, it probably should take about 1 ½ to 2hours or even longer complete.
Furthermore, a standard golf course spanning 5,500 to 6,000 yards takes most golfers about 2hour to finish a nine-hole round.
If it is more significant than that, you might need more than 2hours 39minutes to wrap it up.
2. Skill Level
It is said that players with more skill and experience play faster than golfers with little or no skills —and I agree.
Your level of experience in golf is another factor that could either be a stepping stone or a stumbling block.
If it is your first time playing on the course, there is a bit of learning curves to catch up on, which will inherently eat up more time.
On the other hand, you don’t expect an expert with about seven years of experience to waste much time on the course, as a beginner would.
They have a more consistent swing, more accuracy and understand how crucial it is to manage time for each hole.
That said, they will always complete the game at a considerable period at an average of 1.5hours.
3. Transportation
Are you taking a cart or walking on foot?
Anything more than a par three golf course, other courses will readily provide you with carts to move around, saving you a lot of time.
However, most senior golfers prefer walking across the course for some reason than taking the golf cart to stretch out.
The average time it takes to finish a nine-hole game walking is 2.75 hours. On cart service, it will take about 2.5 hours.
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Conclusion
With the calculation we made earlier, on average, it takes approximately two and a half hours to play nine holes of golf.
Although, some elite country clubs ask players to finish the game in 90 minutes instead of 2 hours.
In these clubs, you would probably be walking from one hole to another without a cart.
So, it can get challenging to complete the game —that way; it will ginger and spur the players at their best.