How long do golf holes take? A practical guide to playing time
November 18, 2025
By Mike Bailey
One of the most important issues when taking up golf is that it takes a long time to play, especially on weekends when rounds can exceed five hours. If you add to the time it takes to enter the Golf Course, empty your clubs, pour your shoes, and warm up, you should give six or seven hours of your day to play a complete round of golf.
But one thing that may be changing lately is the idea that all rounds of golf need to be 18 holes. In fact, when it comes to hand sides, you can post 9 hole scores. In the World Handicap program, for example, you can enter your 9 rounds. Finally, it finds your handicap the same way it would for 18 holes.
However, many golfers want a full, intuitive experience. When I was younger, I used to play 36 or more a day without a care in the world.
But as you get older, playing 9 holes of golf can seem okay; It doesn’t take a lot of money from your body (yes, golf can hurt you), and, again, it takes so little time. But how long do golf holes take? Well, that depends on what kind of 9 holes you’re playing, who you’re playing with, where you’re playing, if it’s a busy golf course or your empty course, and what your goals are.
9 holes of golf at the 18- or 27-hole facility
Unfortunately, most 18-hole golf courses don’t have 9-hole prices, so it’s understandable that if you go to a golf course and pay for 18, you might feel like you didn’t get your golf money’s worth. But there are ways around it, levels of observation.
Sure, those arrival rates are usually a little late, but they’re low, and it’s usually the perfect time of day to play golf. And it should only take a few hours to compete – the longest par 35 or 36. Of course, the rest depends on how busy the course is before dark.
If Twilight comes at 3 PM, in daily currency studies, there are not many things to book an hour before that. So the course is usually open. Even if there’s one of you, you should be able to play in less than two hours, which is perfect for anyone who wants to get out of work in the morning.
And in the summer, if you go down by 5, you still have time to get into 9 bowls.
Also, if there’s a nice 27 course you like, there’s a good chance it offers 9-hole prices. Usually, one of the News is nominated for that. Look around.
Golfnow offers 9 rounds
One of the best features of Golfnow is Rate Golf. It’s called “short on time? Play nine.” Just scroll down to the Golfnow.com home page to check them out.
Also, this offering can be extended to 18-hole courses, and the green fees are almost always higher than part prices. However, there are options for those who want to enjoy a faster golf experience.
Some of them, however, are on 9 hole courses, which is where you’ll find your best values. Either way, it’s worth checking out.
The 9-Hole Par-3 course takes less time
One of the best ways to get into the fast 9 and work on your iron and short game is to play a 9-hole par-3 course or a master course. They are short, so they obviously take less time.
You also need fewer clubs and usually don’t need a golf cart, so you’ll get more exercise.
The 9-Hole Par 3 course can usually be played in over an hour. It can be done before or after work, or even during an extended lunch hour.
And no one should know about it, except you and anyone who plays.
Advanced golfers vs Vs. Novice Golfers
Professional golfers who take a few strokes can play 9 holes quickly, while high handicappers can take a little longer. That may seem obvious, but looking for loose balls can slow down a team, making 8 in the hole rather than the fourth time.
With that being said, if you are a good player, 9 holes can be done in less than an hour and a half, even for someone who knows how to walk and play good golf.
What is good golf?
Ah, the key to fast play is not waiting for other players if you don’t have to. It doesn’t mean you don’t know what the other players on your team are doing; It just means you throw in a few PACE Etiquette rules for Play.
For example, in playing Stroke, whoever had the best number on the previous hole or holes is honored on the Tee. But on a fair wave, if that person won’t be “ready” to hit, someone else needs to step up to the tee and take their shot. That keeps things moving.
Also, if one side of the fairway and your partner’s cart is on the other side, one player may be dropped to hit, while the other player takes the cart to hit the first turn. And if you are close to the hole and you are “ready” to hit your shot, but the other player behind you is not ready, continue to hit when you do not block the other person.
This is how you can play 9 holes in less than two hours, as long as you don’t have to wait for groups in front of you.
Walking vs. Playing in the car
Even if you travel, and you have 4OME, you can play 9 holes in less than two hours.
But if you have carts, especially if all four players have their own cart, you can play really fast.
At an event I used to play, there was a group of seniors, each with their own carts (they were watching them, so they were fast), and they played 9 holes in about 1:15. They didn’t mark their green balls. They put continuously, which means if they miss the first time, they just keep putting until they get out. No one caught these guys – ever.
A world record of the fastest 9 holes of golf
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the fastest round of golf was converted by Luke Willett from the United Kingdom in 2023. Besides using a few clubs, he played a few clubs in Dubai in 12 minutes and 37 seconds.
This is known as Speed ​​Golf. There are competitions and world championships every year. Scores are determined by combining low times and strokes played.
New Zealand’s Robin Smith won the 2025 US SpeedGolf open at Temecula Creek Golf Club with a time of 235:07, which is a combination of minutes spent eating and scoring. In his case, his 9-hole average was about 36 in just 23 minutes. That’s really fast and really good.
