If you’re like most people, you’re probably crunched for time and think you can’t fit in a round of 9 holes before or after work, but can you? I bet you can play nine holes in under two holes, and I’m about to show you how.
So it’s summertime, and you’ve woken up at 4 a.m. for your 5 a.m. tee time, but on the way to the golf course, you start to worry about how long it’s going to take to play 9 holes? Are you going to be able to play and get back in time for work?
How Long To Play 9 Holes of Golf?
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Well, you’ll be glad to know that according to the USGA or the United States Golf Association, the average time to play nine holes of golf is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
That gives you ample time to get nine holes in before or after work, particularly if you live in a time zone with daylight savings.
Other factors like time of the day and week also greatly impact how long nine holes will take. If you can get out on the course first, you should be able to finish nine holes in well under 2 hours, while if you tee off mid-morning, you’ll need to put aside closer to three hours.
The number of golfers in your playing group will also impact the duration of play; basically, fewer players means you’ll finish sooner.
Book A Tee Time In Advance
If you’re new to the game, then you’d be excused for thinking you can roll up to the clubhouse, book a tee time and walk straight on; it’s funny how many beginners actually don’t know they need to book ahead. If you want to play nine holes in the fastest possible time, you should call the clubhouse and book a tee time.
When you arrive at the club unannounced or without a tee time, most golf clubs will pair you with another group which can take time. You might get lucky during the week because golfers are at work, but on the weekends, you can forget about it.
Booking ahead speeds up play, and it’s a good way to get yourself paired with other members you know and enjoy playing with.
Early Morning And Late Afternoon
In my experience, the best way to play nine holes in under two hours is to play first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. When you play early morning, there are generally very few golfers out on the course, and to be honest, golf courses are absolutely stunning in the early mornings of summer.
Your next best bet for a lightning-quick nine holes of golf is to play late in the afternoon. If you live somewhere with daylight savings, playing 9 nine holes after work is a great way to get a quick nine holes in. Nothing is better than hitting the links to help you unwind after a long day at the office.
Be sure to call ahead to the clubhouse and give them a heads up; the last thing you want is to be waiting on the 1st tee for 30 minutes playing with a group of strangers.
Get A Pull cart Or Buggy
Do you love walking nine holes? I do, and if you heed this next bit of advice, you can still finish nine holes in under 2 hours and get fit at the same time. Purchasing a “pull cart” or a “buggy,” depending on where you live, is an excellent way to get your steps in for the day while enjoying the game you love.
A high-quality pull cart can save you energy, and it’s much easier on your back than carrying around your clubs. You can also save a bit of money in the long run instead of hiring a buggy from the club or even an electric cart.
Pull carts or buggies have:
- Large rubber wheels
- Mounts for speakers
- Umbrella holders
- Drink cup holders and
- A place for your scorecard
Ready, Set, Golf
Ready, set golf is a relatively recent concept that golfers have implemented to help speed up play out on the course. The philosophy behind the idea is that most golfers simply don’t have the time to spend 4 hours playing 9 or 18 holes. The lack of time is also the reason so many night-golf courses have popped up over the last few years.
The concept involves five primary tips that dramatically increase the pace of play. For those of us who play golf, there’s no denying that one of the biggest negatives about the game is how long it can take. Many golfers take far too long over their shots and then take forever to find their ball and even longer to clean their golf bag clubs.
Most golfer’s pre-shot routines also take an eternity to finish; my dad is the perfect example. He has at least ten practice strokes, checks the break from every possible angle, twice, and then pulls the trigger; it’s excruciatingly long.
5 Tips for playing 9-holes in record time:
- Don’t take longer than 5 minutes to look for your ball
- Always help your playing partners find their ball
- Prepare for your shot early
- Don’t be like my dad and take forever on the putting green
- Let faster groups from behind play through
Following these rules can make playing nine holes much more enjoyable and, more importantly, faster.
