As much as we all love to, playing 18 holes isn’t always possible.
18 holes requires commitment and plenty of time which isn’t something we can all give, all the time. Luckily, there are a range of other rounds of golf we can play instead.
One of the best alternatives is to play 9 holes, especially if you’re struggling to find enough time. However, how long does 9 holes actually take to play?
This is one question a lot of people find themselves needing the answer to. The fact you’re here would suggest you need the answer to .
If so, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s post, we’re going to show you how long an average 9 hole round of golf takes to complete.
We’ll tell you what plays a part and how long you can expect to be on the course for.
Let’s get started!
On Average, How Long Does It Take To Complete 9 Holes?
On average it takes experienced golfers approximately 2 and a half hours to finish 9 holes of golf.
Those who consider themselves beginners can expect to finish their round in roughly 3 hours.
As a result of this shorter round duration, many people turn to 9 hole rounds of golf when they are pushed for time.
Playing 9 holes is a great way to hit the course without having to commit to a full day of playing.
However, things aren’t quite that simple. There are actually a number of factors that can affect how long 9 holes take.
With that in mind, we can’t conclusively say how long your game will take. For example, if you’ve never picked up a set of clubs before, you’re going to take a lot longer than a professional golfer.
Factors That Impact How Long 9 Holes Takes
Now you know more about how long most 9 hole rounds of golf (see also: What Is The Most Playoff Holes In Golf?)take to play, we can start looking at the factors that will impact how long your game lasts.
If you want to play the quickest round of golf possible, you seriously need to take each factor into account.
How Many People You’re Playing With
Probably the most obvious factor that will impact how long 9 holes of golf takes to play is how many people are playing.
If you play with a large group, the round will obviously take longer to finish as it will take longer for you all to get around the course.
On the other hand, if you play the holes on your own, you will get round the course quicker, leading to a faster round of golf.
On average, it will take 2 players 2 and a half hours to complete one round of golf.
One golfer can expect to finish 9 holes in less than 2 hours, whilst 4 golfers could be on the course for as long as 3 and a half hours.
Your Skill Set
Your own golfing ability will impact how long it takes for you to play 9 holes of golf. More experienced golfers have more chances of finishing holes quicker.
This is primarily because they hit fewer wayward shots and can hit the green in less strokes.
Beginners are more likely to make errors, hit more shots, and miss putts.
As a result, they typically make it round the course in more shots, and the more shots you take, the longer it takes to get around the course.
How You Get Around The Course
To many people’s surprise, how you plan on getting around the course also impacts how long 9 holes take to play.
A lot of golfers prefer to walk around the course when playing.
This is fine and much better for the cardiovascular system, but it isn’t the best option if you’re pushed for time.
Instead, using a golf cart can get you around the course quicker. You might not burn as many calories, but you’ll get to your ball in record time.
The Type Of Golf You Play
The style of golf you play will also affect the time it takes for you and your group to complete 9 holes of golf.
If you play standard golf, you can expect it to take a lot longer than a round of ready golf.
For those that don’t know, ready golf is where shots are taken whenever the individual is ready.
This is different to regular golf that sees the person furthest away from the hole take their shot first. This golf format can save valuable minutes.
How Busy The Course Is
Busier golf courses will always slow your play down. The knock-on effect from people waiting in front of you will see you waiting between each hole.
On top of that, you could get stuck behind a large group of people that aren’t as skilled as you.
To avoid this problem, try to book a tee time when the course is less busy.
The best chance you have to book the course when it’s quiet is during the week and when the weather isn’t as hot and sunny.
How Big The Course Is
The size of the course will also play a part. Playing a larger course will mean you have longer to travel during each hole as well as more chances of taking longer to complete the hole.
There’s also more chance for errors.
Alternatively, if you play on a shorter course made up of par-3s, you’ll fly round the course a lot quicker. There’s also less chance of any serious errors.
Weather
Finally, the weather when you play can also impact the time it takes for you to finish 9 holes. If the weather is fine, you can expect a comfortable round of golf with no interference.
However, if the weather takes a turn for the worse, things could get tricky.
Thunderstorms and flash floods can lead to a break in play or complete abandonment of your game.
On top of that, heavy rain and strong winds can make it harder for you to play at your best, leading to a longer round of golf.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, an average round golf consisting of 9 holes should take approximately 2 and a half to 3 hours to complete.
This makes 9 holes a much more viable option for individuals or groups that are pushed for time. Having said that, there are still lots of factors to consider before you play.
In this post, we’ve looked at how simple things like group size, skill set, course size, and weather can impact the length of time it takes to play 9 holes.
With this post at your disposal, you should now be able to plan a 9 hole round of golf that suits your needs.
Hi, my name is Garratt Shmidt and I have been playing golf in my spare time for almost a decade.
Before I found a passion for golf, I didn’t see the appeal. I thought it was slow, repetitive, and quite frankly boring.
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