How Long To Play Mini Golf? Your Ultimate Time Guide!

A round of putt-putt often takes 30 to 45 minutes for a small group on an 18-hole course. So, how many minutes for mini golf? For 18 holes, plan for about 45 to 90 minutes. For 9 holes, you might need 20 to 30 minutes. These times change based on many things. We will look at what makes a game longer or shorter. This guide will help you plan your fun mini golf trip.

How Long To Play Mini Golf
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The Core Elements of Mini Golf Time

Mini golf is a great game for all ages. It is fun for families, friends, or a date. But how long does a mini golf game last? The mini golf game duration changes a lot. There is no one simple answer. Many things play a part. These things affect how long you will be on the course. Knowing them helps you guess your total time.

What Affects Mini Golf Game Length?

Many things change how long mini golf takes. It’s not just about how many holes there are. Let’s look at the main things that affect how long you play. These are important for your typical mini golf playing time.

Group Size Matters

The number of people in your group makes a big difference. More players mean a longer game. Each person takes turns. Each person takes a few shots. If you have a large group, you will wait longer for your turn.

Small Groups (2-3 people): These groups move fast. They do not wait much. They can finish 18 holes quickly.
Medium Groups (4-5 people): These groups are still good. They might wait a little longer. But they usually keep moving.
Large Groups (6+ people): These groups will take the longest. There is more waiting. People might talk more between turns. This slows down the game a lot. Some courses might even split large groups. They do this to help speed of play mini golf.

Course Design Details

Not all mini golf courses are the same. Some are easy. Some are very hard. The design of the course greatly affects the average mini golf game time.

Course Difficulty:
- Easy Courses: These have simple holes. The holes are often straight. It is easy to get the ball in the hole. You will finish these faster.
- Hard Courses: These have many twists and turns. They have hills and obstacles. It takes more shots to finish a hole. This makes the game longer.
Course Layout:
- Open Layout: Some courses have lots of space between holes. You walk further. This adds time.
- Compact Layout: Other courses pack holes close together. You move fast from one hole to the next. This saves time.
Obstacles:
- Simple Obstacles: Bridges, tunnels, or simple ramps. These might not add much time.
- Complex Obstacles: Moving parts, water traps, or very tricky slopes. These can make players take many shots. They can also cause delays if balls get stuck. This will make your mini golf game duration longer.

Player Skill Levels

How good are the players? This is a big factor. People who play often are usually faster. New players might take more shots.

Experienced Players: They hit the ball well. They know how to aim. They often finish holes in 2 or 3 shots. They move quickly.
Beginners or Kids: They might need more tries. They might hit the ball too hard or too soft. They might take 5 or more shots per hole. This adds a lot of time.
Mixed Groups: If you have both skilled and new players, the game will be slower. The skilled players wait for the newer ones.

Day and Time of Visit

The day and time you play mini golf change everything. Crowds make the game much slower.

Busy Times (Weekends, Evenings, Holidays):
- Many people will be there. You will wait in line to start. You will wait for groups in front of you. This can add a lot of extra time to your game.
- The wait can be 5 to 10 minutes per hole. This adds up fast. An 18-hole game could take twice as long.
Quiet Times (Weekdays, Mornings):
- Few people will be there. You can play at your own pace. There is little waiting. This is when you will get the fastest game time. This is key for speed of play mini golf.

Pace of Play

How fast do people play? This is about group habits. Some groups like to rush. Others like to relax.

Fast Pace: Groups who play quickly. They take their shots and move on. They do not spend much time talking or planning.
Leisurely Pace: Groups who like to relax. They talk. They laugh. They take their time on each hole. They might even stop for snacks. This adds to the mini golf game duration.

Let’s summarize these factors in a simple table.

Factor	Effect on Game Length	Description
Group Size	More people = longer	Each person needs a turn; more people mean more waiting.
Course Difficulty	Harder course = longer	Tricky holes and obstacles need more shots and thought.
Player Skill	Less skill = longer	Beginners take more shots to sink the ball.
Time of Visit	Busy times = longer	Waiting for other groups adds a lot of time.
Pace of Play	Relaxed pace = longer	Groups who chat and take breaks will play for a longer time.

Typical Mini Golf Times

So, how long does a round of putt putt take? Let’s get more exact with numbers. Remember, these are averages. Your actual time may be different.

18 Hole Mini Golf Time

This is the standard game. Most courses have 18 holes. How long is 18 holes of mini golf?

2 people (fast players, quiet day): 30-45 minutes. They move very quickly.
4 people (average players, moderate day): 45-75 minutes. This is a common time frame.
6+ people (mixed players, busy day): 75-120+ minutes. This can feel like a long time. You will spend a lot of time waiting.

So, the average mini golf game time for 18 holes is often around one hour. But it can range from under 40 minutes to over 2 hours. It really depends on the points listed above.

9 Hole Mini Golf Time

Some places offer a shorter game. This is great for younger kids. Or if you do not have much time. What is a good 9 hole mini golf time?

2 people (fast players, quiet day): 15-25 minutes.
4 people (average players, moderate day): 20-35 minutes.
6+ people (mixed players, busy day): 30-60+ minutes.

A 9-hole game is usually half the time of an 18-hole game. But it can still be affected by crowds and group size.

Here is a quick look at average mini golf game time for different group sizes and hole counts.

Number of Holes	Group Size	Typical Mini Golf Playing Time (minutes)
18 Holes	2-3 people	30-60
	4-5 people	45-75
	6+ people	75-120+
9 Holes	2-3 people	15-30
	4-5 people	20-40
	6+ people	30-60+

This table helps you estimate how long you will play mini golf time per person.

Tips for Faster Play

Want to finish your game sooner? Here are some simple ways to speed up your mini golf game duration.

Play during quiet times: Go on a weekday morning or afternoon. Avoid weekends and evenings.
Keep your group small: Play with 2 or 3 people. This is the best way to move quickly.
Be ready for your turn: Watch others play. Know when it is your turn. Pick up your ball quickly after your shot.
Limit your shots: Try to get the ball in the hole in 5 shots or less. If you are really stuck, pick up the ball. Add 6 strokes to your score. Then move on. This helps keep the line moving.
No practice swings: Just step up and hit the ball. Too many practice swings slow things down.
Move to the next hole fast: Once everyone finishes a hole, walk right to the next one. Do not linger.
Decide on rules before you start: Will you count out-of-bounds as a penalty? Clear rules prevent long discussions.

Following these tips can cut down your mini golf game duration. You can enjoy a quicker game.

Tips for a Relaxed Game

Sometimes, you want to take your time. Mini golf is also great for a long, fun outing. Here’s how to enjoy a longer mini golf game duration.

Go with a large group: More people mean more laughs. More talking. More waiting. This makes the game last longer.
Choose a busy time: Play on a weekend evening. Or a holiday. The crowds will slow you down naturally. You will not feel rushed.
Pick a hard course: A course with many tricky holes means more shots. More challenges. This extends the fun.
Take breaks: Stop for snacks. Get a drink. Talk between holes. This makes the game an experience.
Let kids take their time: Do not rush young players. Let them enjoy hitting the ball. It is about fun, not speed.
Play a few rounds: If you truly want a long mini golf outing, play 9 holes, then play another 9. Or play the same 18-hole course twice.

Planning Your Mini Golf Outing

Knowing the how long to play mini golf helps you plan. Here are some extra tips.

Booking Ahead

Some popular mini golf courses let you book a time slot. This is a great idea.

Why book? It saves you from waiting in line. You show up at your time. You can start playing right away. This helps manage the typical mini golf playing time.
How it helps: Even if the course is busy, your start time is set. This removes one big factor that makes games longer: the waiting line.

What to Bring

Water: Stay hydrated, especially on sunny days.
Sunscreen: Protect your skin if playing outdoors.
Comfortable shoes: You will be walking.
Snacks: If you plan a long, relaxed game.
Phone/Camera: To take fun pictures.

Best Times to Play

If you want the fastest game, aim for:
* Weekday mornings (right when they open).
* Weekday early afternoons (after lunch rush, before after-school crowds).

If you want a lively atmosphere, even if it means waiting, aim for:
* Weekend afternoons.
* Evenings (especially Friday/Saturday).

Mini Golf vs. Regular Golf: Time Comparison

Mini golf is much faster than regular golf. Let’s compare them.

Regular Golf (18 holes):
- Takes 4 to 5 hours for a group of four.
- Walks are long.
- Each hole is much bigger.
- More equipment.
- Needs more skill.
Mini Golf (18 holes):
- Takes 45 to 90 minutes.
- Holes are close together.
- Simple equipment (one club, one ball).
- Anyone can play.

So, if you want a quicker game that still feels like golf, mini golf is a great choice. It gives you the fun of golf in much less time. This makes it perfect for a short outing.

Mini Golf for Events and Parties

Mini golf is popular for parties. This means planning the mini golf game duration is key.

Birthday Parties: For kids’ parties, plan for about 60-90 minutes of play. This allows for slower play. It gives time for kids to have fun. Then, you can move to cake and presents.
Team Building: For work events, you might want to encourage speed. Or, you might want to encourage fun and talking. Make sure the group size per hole is manageable. This keeps the speed of play mini golf good.
Dates: For a date, you can choose how long you want to play. A faster game leaves time for other activities. A slower game gives more time for talking.

Always tell the mini golf course if you are bringing a large group. They can help you plan. They might offer special rates. They can also tell you the best times to come. This helps manage the mini golf time per person.

More Factors to Consider

We have covered many things. But here are a few more small points that can affect your mini golf game length:

Weather: Hot weather can make people want to play faster. Rain can stop play.
Course Staff: Some courses have staff who manage the flow of players. They might speed things up.
Lighting: If you play at night, some courses have special lights. This can make the game feel different. It might also slow down play for some.
Breaks: Are there benches or places to sit between holes? If so, groups might take more breaks. This adds to the mini golf game duration.

All these small things add up. They shape your total experience. They also shape how long your game lasts.

Concluding Your Mini Golf Adventure

Mini golf is a simple game. But how long it takes has many answers. It is rarely just how many minutes for mini golf is stated. The average mini golf game time for 18 holes is often one hour. But this is just a starting point. It can be shorter or much longer.

It depends on:
* Your group size.
* The course design.
* The players’ skill.
* When you visit.
* How fast you want to play.

So, next time you go mini golfing, think about these things. You can make your game as fast or as slow as you like. You can plan for a quick, fun game. Or you can plan for a long, relaxed outing. No matter what, mini golf is always a good time! Enjoy your game!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical mini golf playing time for a family of four?
A1: For a family of four, an 18-hole game usually takes about 45 to 75 minutes. This can be longer on busy days or if you have very young children.

Q2: How long is 18 holes of mini golf for beginners?
A2: For beginners, especially kids, an 18-hole game might take longer. Plan for 75 to 90 minutes, or even up to 2 hours if the course is crowded or very tricky.

Q3: Can I play 9 hole mini golf if I’m short on time?
A3: Yes, a 9-hole mini golf time is perfect if you are short on time. It usually takes 20 to 35 minutes for a small group.

Q4: How does speed of play mini golf affect the total time?
A4: If you play quickly, taking minimal practice swings and moving between holes fast, you can reduce your mini golf game duration by 15-30 minutes for 18 holes compared to a slow-paced game.

Q5: What is the fastest mini golf time per person for 18 holes?
A5: For a very fast player on an empty, easy course, one person might finish 18 holes in 20-30 minutes. However, mini golf is often played in groups, so this is rare.

Q6: What is the average mini golf game time for a birthday party with 10 kids?
A6: For a party of 10 kids, plan for about 90 to 120 minutes for an 18-hole game. You will have waiting times between holes. It is best to let the course know you have a large group.