If you’ve ever wondered how long does it takes to play 18 holes of golf (without stopping to catch your breath!), you’re not alone! After all, how many of us enjoy spending 3-4 hours in the hot sun or cold rain, with aching legs and sore muscles, to come in well short of par? But I digress…
How long does it take to play 18 holes of golf (with and without a golf cart)? It typically takes around 2 – 4 hours to complete 18 holes of golf with a golf cart. Walking an 18-hole golf course typically takes around 4 – 6 hours. However, this time can widely range depending on the skill levels of the players, the overall difficulty of the course, and how big the course is.
Whether you’re new to the world of golfing or have been an avid player for years, one question that comes to mind is how long it should actually take you to play 18 hours of golf with a cart. Well, we have your answers. Below, we will be discussing how long to play 18 holes of golf with a cart, without a cart, and why.
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Instead, we search for a mixture of cost and value. We also take into account the ideal user of the best golf push cart for each faction of golfers. Then, we do our best to make sure everyone in the golf community has a personalized recommendation.
How Long to Play 18 Holes of Golf With a Cart?
When it comes to playing 18 holes of golf with a golf cart in tow, you should expect to play for at least four hours. This gives you enough time to get through the course without being rushed or slowed down by any outside factors. That said, there are a few things that can make your time longer. Let’s take a closer look.
Skill level of the players. Obviously, brand new golfers are going to have a more difficult time navigating through the course. They won’t know where to go, for one, and for two, may have to take more strikes than others. This extends the length of time considerably.
The difficulty of the course. A challenging course will be difficult to get through, even if you’re a novice golfer. So, consider the difficulty of the course when deciding how long it will take you to play.
Size of the course. Size is also a major impact. A larger-sized course will take more time to play on for obvious reasons.
The number of players. Someone playing alone on an empty golf course can be done in as little as two hours. The more players you have, the longer the course will take.
Does this mean you’re necessarily destined for four to five hours?
Not necessarily.
Some golf courses expect their players to be done in less than four hours. If this is the case for the course you’re playing on, then you will have to pick up the pace to ensure you’re done on time.
How Long Does 18 Holes of Golf Take Walking?
Okay, so you are not the proud owner of a golf cart – at least not yet. How long should it actually take you to get through 18 holes of golf while walking? Well, you still have to consider the factors listed above. Your skill level, the overall size and difficulty of the course, and how many people are playing.
Typically, though, a group of four people walking 18 holes will take around the same time as those in a golf cart, assuming everyone is in good shape and healthy. It will take a bit more time than using a golf cart since you won’t have wheels.
That said, walking an 18-hole golf course typically takes around four to six hours, depending on the factors.
How to Speed Up Gameplay
If you need to speed up your gameplay for whatever reason, here are a few simple tricks:
Gimmes – Gimmes is basically asking players in your group not to putt everything.
Ready golf – This untraditional gameplay allows players to go as soon as they are prepared to, rather than going with the person furthest from the hole.
Play the proper tees – Don’t try to impress anyone and play with tees you’re not comfortable with. Instead, choose the right tees for your skill level and driving ability. This saves you and everyone around you plenty of time.
Try other forms of play – Certain formats such as match play, Stableford, and best-ball are formats that will speed up overall gameplay. Give them a shot on your next trip to the golf course.
Use the golf cart buddy system – When using a golf cart, don’t wait in the cart and drive to your ball. Instead, walk to your ball and shoot when it’s your turn. Then, wait for your cart mate to pick you up.