Playing 9 holes of golf is a great way to enjoy a shorter version of the game without committing to a full 18-hole round. But how long does 9 holes of golf take to play?
Generally, 9 holes take between 1 1/2 to 2 hours to play for the average golfer. However, the pace of play can vary widely depending on factors like the number of players in your group, whether you use a golf cart, and the difficulty of the golf course.
This article provides a comprehensive look at everything that impacts how long does it takes to play 9 holes.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The average time for a solo player to complete 9 holes is around 1.5 hours, while a foursome might take about 2.5 hours.
- Using a golf cart can significantly reduce the time it takes to play.
- Ready golf and effective time management can help maintain a good pace of play.
- The difficulty of the golf course can greatly impact the duration of a round.
- Technological tools can assist in speeding up decision-making on the course.
Factors That Determine How Long 9 Holes of Golf Take
Many variables come into play when estimating how long it takes to play 9 holes for most golfers. Consider the following factors that can impact your time to play for a quick 9-hole round:
Number of Players
- The more players you have playing golf, the longer the round.
- Groups of 4 players generally take longer than twosomes or threesomes.
- With 5 players, expect an especially slow pace of play as you’ll likely be asked to let faster groups play through.
Using Golf Carts
- In general, playing a 9 hole round of golf with a golf cart is faster than walking.
- However, cart path only rules can slow down the pace if you have to walk further between holes.
- Sharing a cart allows players to move to their next shots more quickly after tee shots.
Difficulty of the Golf Course
- Play moves faster on shorter, executive golf courses suited for newer players.
- In contrast, long courses with challenging holes surrounded by hazards take longer.
- Familiarity with the golf course also speeds up play.
Skill Level of Players
- Groups of experienced golfers who hit consistent shots play quicker.
- Beginners who lose a lot of golf balls take more strokes and time.
- Playing ready golf helps improve pace of play.
So in general, a group of 2-3 experienced players using golf carts on an average length course can expect to finish 9 holes in around 1 1/2 to 2 hours. But a group of beginners walking a long course on a busy weekend could take over 3 hours.
How Long Does 9 Holes of Golf Take on Average?
While individual 9-hole rounds may be shorter or longer, most golfers can expect 9 holes to take around 2 hours on an average course under normal conditions. Here is a breakdown:
- 8-10 minutes per hole to play if you maintain a good pace
- 9 holes x 10 minutes per hole = 90 minutes (1 1/2 hours)
- Add at least 15-30 minutes for parking, warm-up, paying, scoring, etc.
- Total time: 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
Average Time for 9 Holes: Solo Players vs. Groups
Playing solo often means a quicker game, usually taking around 1.5 hours. In contrast, a group of four might take approximately 2.5 hours. The pace of play can be affected by the number of players, with more golfers typically leading to longer rounds.
Impact of Golf Carts on Play Time
Using a golf cart can significantly speed up your round.
Golf carts may be expensive but allow players to move quickly between holes, reducing the overall time it takes to complete 9 holes.
However, cart path rules and course layout can also influence this.
Pace of Play: How to Speed Up Your Game
Maintaining a good pace of play is essential for a smooth golfing experience. Tips for speeding up your game include being prepared to hit when it’s your turn, keeping up with the group ahead, and minimizing search time for lost golf balls.
Playing 9 Holes with Different Group Sizes
The dynamics of playing 9 holes change with the number of players.
A twosome can navigate the course faster than a foursome, but playing in larger groups can also be a fun, social experience, albeit a longer one.
Ready Golf: A Solution to Slow Play?
“Ready golf,” where players hit when ready rather than strictly adhering to the “furthest from the hole plays first” rule, can help maintain a steady pace.
This approach is especially effective in casual rounds.
Tips for Faster 9-Hole Rounds
While 9 holes of golf played at a moderate pace takes about 2 hours, here are some tips to help speed up play:
- Play on less crowded days and times to avoid waiting on groups ahead of you. For example weekdays in the morning often allow quicker play.
- Limit your group to 3 players at most, or better yet play as a twosome.
- Use a golf cart if allowed at the course to move between shots efficiently.
- Play from appropriate tees based on your driving distance and ability. Moving up a set of tees plays quicker.
- Limit practice swings and pre-shot routines to 1-2 to keep things moving.
- Study your putt while others are hitting rather than waiting until it’s your turn.
- Play “ready golf” when safe by hitting shots when ready instead of adhering strictly to farthest from the hole rules.
- Don’t spend more than 3 minutes searching for a lost ball.
Employing even a few of these tips during your round can potentially shave off 15 minutes of playing time or more on a 9-hole outing.
When Does 9 Holes Make Sense vs. 18 Holes of Golf?
For beginners or golfers with limited time to spend on the course, playing 9 holes serves as an appealing alternative to playing a full round. Here are some common situations when opting for 9 holes makes sense:
- You only have 1 1/2 to 2 hours allotted or available to spend golfing that day
- You want more reps without overdoing swing practice at the range or getting fatigued
- You typically struggle to consistently hit shots well after 14-15 holes due to tiredness
- You don’t want golf game to take up half or more of your entire day
- You have physical limitations that make walking 18 holes challenging
- The course doesn’t allow booking 9 holes only, but you plan to play just half a round
For all these scenarios and others, playing just 9 holes works well and allows you to enjoy golf without an excessive time commitment. You can work on your game and get in some valuable practice time in less than 2 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours does it take to play nine holes of golf?
For most golfers, playing nine holes takes between 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Good players playing a shorter course can potentially finish in under 1 1/2 hours, while newer players on a difficult course could need over 2 1/2 hours. Plan for about 2 hours to be safe when reserving tee times.
Can you play 18 holes in 3 hours?
It is very challenging for amateur golfers to complete 18 holes of golf in only 3 hours. Most courses set a pace of play minimum of 4 hours per 18-hole round, sometimes longer on weekends. Groups that finish extremely quickly likely rushed their shots without proper warmup and played very easy courses while running between shots. For typical play, allot at least 4 hours and ideally 5 hours for an enjoyable 18-hole experience.
How long does it take to play 18 holes with a cart?
Most golfers playing 18 holes using a golf cart take between 4 to 5 hours. Sharing a cart and efficiently moving to the next shots helps reduce transit time and improve pacing over walking. But the extra distance and number of strokes for the full round still requires about double the time compared to just 9 holes. Allow at least 2 extra hours to complete all 18 holes even riding in a golf cart.
How long does 9 holes of golf take for 2 players?
With just two experienced players sharing a golf cart and playing ready golf, it’s possible to complete 9 holes in around 1 1/2 hours or less. But more realistically for typical golfers, playing at a comfortable pace and allowing margin for some more challenging holes, expect 2 players to shoot 9 holes in 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Good communication, course management and limiting pre-shot routines make two player groups ideal for quicker 9-hole rounds.
Conclusion: How Long Does 9 Holes of Golf Take?
In most cases, allot around 2 hours in your schedule for a 9-hole round of golf. This allows some extra time for slower holes or setbacks. To keep pace and potentially shave off 15+ minutes, limit your group to fewer players, utilize golf carts, play ready golf, and consider easier courses. For beginners or when time is limited, playing just 9 holes serves as an outstanding option before committing to full 18-hole rounds.
