Time takes on a different state when an avid golfer like myself steps out onto the golf course. It feels like we are in a completely different world. We are far away from the usual noise of life. We are also away from the constant buzz of city livingand the endless chores list your darling wifehas left.
We feel like we were only there for a short time. However, our partners think we’ve been there for much longer, around 6 hours.
To get to the truth the average time it takes to play 18 holes is usually 4 hours. If your partner asks, just say it’s about 2 and a half hours. My father always said, “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” But don’t tell them I said that.
Do keep in mind though, time management on the course is important, especially if your like that particular course.
Factors That Determine Pace:
Skill Level: Now this may seem obvious, but I’ve played with all types of golfers and different skill levels. I have played with golfers who have a handicap of 20, and they play very fast. If they slowed down, they could probably improve their handicap to 15.
Then I’ve played with 2 handicappers who think its Masters week and were playing at Augusta. Waiting for your playing partners to find lost balls and miss shots can make the game take longer. This kind of slow play can easily add an extra hour to your round. likewise if your hitting fairways and getting up and down you can definitely get around in 3.5 hours or less.
Course Difficulty: One of the more determining factors in round time. Have you ever felt nervous on the golf course, with shaky knees and sweat in unexpected places? Thick trees on one side, water on the other. If you hit a good shot, you hope it avoids the bunker.
You’re praying for help from above. Playing tough courses can substantially pile on the time. Even when I was playing my best golf, if I played an extremely tough course my round could surpass the 4 hour mark.
If a golf course is easy with wide fairways and large greens, your round should take about 3-3.5 hours. If you’re hitting into the wrong fairway, it might be time to try a different strategy.
Course traffic: Now this is definitely the biggest deciding factor when considering your round time when your out on the course.
Not only time but enjoyment level that day. Its truely safe to say there is nothing worse than playing well and then getting up to the next tee box and seeing a line form. You can literally feel your sole just leave your body because its not even interested in waiting that long.
I will say the one advantage to this is it gives you time to learn a new skill while your waiting for your turn. I learned to balance clubs on my nose while waiting at the tee.
I hoped the players ahead were good golfers, but they usually weren’t. I don’t recommend learning that skill. I learned the hard way that getting hit in the face with a driver head isn’t pleasant. It’s tough to hit the ball straight after that.
Courses have rules to take care of the golf course, like fixing marks and divots. Players must also play at a certain pace to not slow others down.
Number of players: This is simply golf played quickly, as the name suggests. No need for further explanation. More Players tends to lead to longer round, but add a golf cart and your making up some good time.
The Fast Lane: Speed Golf & Its Advocates
Now when we discuss speed golf, this truely is a different dimension. Speed golf is like a race, but with golf gear. Athletes run with a golf bag, stopping to hit the ball every few hundred yards.
It’s a mix of running and golfing, making it a fast-paced and unique sport to watch. It truely is something straight out of a comic book.
Speed golf has basicly the same rules and etiquette but the hook is not only does your score count but how long it took you to complete the round. For every minute it takes you, thats an added stroke. So if you shoot a 90 but do that in 2 hours you final score is 210.
Just like In regular golf, you are expected to repair pitch marks and rake bunkers. If a ball is lost or goes out of bounds, it can be treated as a lateral hazard. It would be unfair to make players go back to where they hit the ball.
Now I know what your thinking a round done in two hours the score has to be high, well prepared for your mind to be blown. A golfer by the name Scott Dawley shot a 65 in 42minutes and 15 seconds, yeah you heard me correctly. Shooting a 65 in 42 minutes is an incredible feat in golf. It’s hard to believe someone could play so well in such a short amount of time.
The Slow Drift: A Time To Play Slow
Playing slow means taking your time to choose your shots carefully and enjoy your round fully. That does not mean go out and take an hour to play a single hole, you still have to play within the courses rules and time limits. Also you want to make sure the group behind you Isn’t being held up.
Soaking in the round is essential for maximizng your enjoyment of your round. Not only that, but you will increase your chances of shooting a lower score. It’s important to take a moment to choose the right club based on your lie, wind, and elevation. This extra second can make a big difference.
High handicappers often make the mistake of using the same club for every shot. They do not take into account factors such as the lie or wind conditions. It is important to consider these factors when choosing which club to use. Ignoring these factors can lead to inconsistent and inaccurate shots.
Tips For Playing Efficiently
Golf Cart: This will deffinitely help speed up your round without sacrificing your enjoyment. Walking and carrying your bag will make you less tired. This will give you more energy. It will also help you keep up a good pace throughout the round.
Added bonus is putting a cooler for some refreshment in the buggy.
Bringing More Than One Club: Now this means bringing say two or three clubs when your going over to your ball. For example you have 145 yards out but your in the rough and there are trees in your way, well bring your P wedge, your Gap wedge and lets say an 8 iron. You can choose to have more loft to go over trees or less loft to go under them. Your not having to run back to your golf cart to change club.
Range Finder: These tools are a game changer. Golfers used to say using a golf cart made it difficult to judge yardage for shots. Now, with range finders, you can quickly get the exact yardage. Not only can you get the exact yardage to the flag, they have a slope mode which gives you an even more accurate distance.
When your booking your next tee time just assume for an average round that its going to take 4 hours to play the round.
The difference is now using this as a guide, You know what to do if this weekends round has to be done a little bit quicker. At the same time if your in the middle of a great round and want to soak it in, just remember what my dad said.
