Image Source: golf.com
How Long To Walk 18 Holes Of Golf? The Answer Revealed
How long does it take to walk 18 holes of golf? A typical round of golf walked over 18 holes usually takes about 4 to 4.5 hours for a group of four players. This is the average time to walk 18 holes golf. How long to play 18 holes walking depends on many things, like the course, the people you play with, and how busy the course is. The golf round duration walking can change a lot from one day to the next. We will look at all the things that affect this time. We will also show you how far you walk and how walking compares to riding in a cart.
The Core Answer: What Is the Typical Time?
Most golfers who walk a full round of 18 holes can plan for it to take around four to four and a half hours. This is a good number to keep in mind. It’s the average time to walk 18 holes golf for many players.
But this is just an average. Some rounds might be a bit faster. Some might be slower. Many things make the time go up or down.
Deciphering the Reasons for Different Times
Many things affect how long it takes to walk 18 holes of golf. These are the factors affecting golf walking time. Let’s look at the main ones.
Your Group Size
How many people are in your group matters a lot.
* A single player walking can often finish in well under 3 hours. Maybe 2.5 hours on a quiet day.
* A twosome (two players) might take 3 to 3.5 hours.
* A threesome (three players) usually takes 3.5 to 4 hours.
* A foursome (four players) is the most common group size. This group size is the one that usually takes 4 to 4.5 hours or sometimes longer. How long does a foursome take walking? Plan for at least 4 hours, and maybe more if the course is busy.
More people mean more shots. More shots mean more walking and more time needed.
How Fast You Play
Some golfers play faster than others. This is about your pace of play. The average pace of play walking golf for a group is about 12 to 15 minutes per hole. This includes time walking between shots and walking between holes.
A slow pace happens when players take too long:
* Getting ready to hit.
* Looking for golf balls.
* Deciding which club to use.
* Walking slowly between shots or holes.
* Talking or waiting too long on the tee or green.
A faster pace means players are ready when it’s their turn. They move quickly between shots. They do not waste time.
How Many Shots You Hit
A player who hits fewer shots (a lower handicap player) will usually finish faster than a player who hits many shots (a higher handicap player).
* Fewer shots mean less time spent hitting the ball.
* Fewer shots often mean the ball is easier to find. Less time looking.
* Fewer shots mean less walking in rough or trees.
So, the skill level of the players in your group changes the total time.
The Golf Course Itself
Every golf course is different. The course layout changes the time it takes.
* Length: A longer course takes more time to walk. More distance between the tee and the green.
* Hills: Hilly courses take longer to walk than flat ones. Walking up hills takes more energy and time.
* Layout: Some courses have long walks from one green to the next tee. This adds time. Courses where the next tee is right next to the last green save time.
* Roughness: Thick rough or lots of trees can slow play. Finding balls is harder. Hitting from these places takes more time.
* Green Speed: Very fast greens can mean players take more time putting. This can slow things down.
How Busy the Course Is
This is a big one. If there are groups in front of you, you might have to wait. Waiting on the tee box is common. Waiting in the fairway is also common.
* A busy Saturday morning will almost always take longer than a quiet Tuesday afternoon.
* Waiting adds a lot of time to the round. Sometimes 30 minutes or even an hour or more.
How Fit You Are
Your own walking speed matters. If you walk faster between shots and holes, you will save time. Being in good shape helps you keep a good pace for the whole round.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather can slow play.
* Rain might make people move slower or take breaks.
* Wind can make shots harder, leading to more shots or lost balls.
* Very hot weather might also slow people down.
All these things together determine the total golf round duration walking.
Fathoming the Distance You Walk
When you walk 18 holes, you walk more than just the distance from the tee box to the green on each hole. You walk much more than the yardage on the scorecard. The total distance walked during 18 holes is much greater than the course’s listed length.
Think about this:
* You walk from the green to the next tee box.
* You walk back and forth across the fairway to your ball.
* You walk to find lost balls (hopefully not too often!).
* You walk to your playing partners’ balls.
* You walk around the green to see puts.
* You walk side-to-side in the fairway or rough.
The average walking distance 18 holes is usually between 4 and 7 miles (about 6 to 11 kilometers).
Here is a rough idea of the distance walked:
| Course Length (Scorecard Yards) | Estimated Walking Distance (Miles) | Estimated Walking Distance (Kilometers) |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 – 5,500 yards (Short) | 4 – 5 miles | 6.5 – 8 km |
| 5,500 – 6,000 yards (Average) | 5 – 6 miles | 8 – 9.5 km |
| 6,000 – 6,500 yards (Longer) | 5.5 – 6.5 miles | 9 – 10.5 km |
| 6,500 – 7,000+ yards (Very Long) | 6 – 7+ miles | 9.5 – 11+ km |
This table shows the average walking distance 18 holes. Your actual distance might change based on how straight you hit the ball! If you hit it crooked, you walk more. If you hit it straight down the middle, you walk less.
Grasping Pace on the Course
Pace of play is how quickly a group moves around the golf course. Good pace means keeping up with the group in front of you. It does not mean rushing your shots. It means being ready when it is your turn.
The average pace of play walking golf is key to finishing in 4 to 4.5 hours.
Tips for a good pace while walking:
* Walk quickly and directly to your ball. Don’t wander.
* Be ready to hit when it is your turn. Get your glove on. Choose your club. Know your shot before it’s time to hit.
* Hit when ready if it is safe. The old rule was furthest from the hole hits first. The new idea is “ready golf.” Hit when you are safely able to do so, even if you are not furthest away.
* Carry a few clubs with you when you walk to your ball. Take the club you think you need and one or two others. This saves walking back to your bag.
* Watch your ball and the balls of others until they stop moving. This saves lots of time looking for balls.
* Limit search time for lost balls. The rules say 3 minutes is the limit. Stick to it.
* Move off the green quickly after finishing the hole. Mark scores later, maybe on the next tee.
* Walk to the next tee right after putting out.
Keeping a good pace helps everyone on the course. It makes the game more fun because you are not waiting around so much.
Walking vs. Riding Time
How does the time to walk 18 holes compare to riding in a golf cart?
Riding in a cart is usually faster in terms of the total playing time on the course.
* Riding allows you to get to your ball faster.
* You ride quickly from the green to the next tee.
A round in a cart might take 3.5 to 4 hours for a foursome. This is roughly 30 minutes to an hour less than walking for the same group.
However, riding isn’t always faster overall for the group.
* Two players share one cart. They might drive to one ball, the player hits, they drive to the second ball, the other player hits. This can take time if balls are far apart.
* Carts have to stay on paths on some parts of the course. This can mean walking from the cart path to your ball and back.
* Walking players often walk directly to their own ball while their partners walk to theirs. They can arrive and be ready sooner.
So, while the time to walk 18 holes vs riding is generally longer for walking, the difference might not be huge if walkers keep a good pace and riders have to stick to paths or find balls spread out.
Plus, walking gives you exercise. That time is spent doing something good for your body. Riding saves time playing, but you miss the exercise part.
Estimating Your Walking Time
You can try figuring out how long your next walking round might take. This is estimating time to walk 18 holes. Think about these points:
- Who are you playing with? How many people? Are they fast or slow players?
- What course are you playing? Is it long or short? Hilly or flat? Are the walks between holes long?
- How busy is the course expected to be? Are you playing at a peak time? Call the pro shop and ask about their typical pace for walking groups.
- How are you feeling? Are you tired? Will you be able to walk quickly?
Here is a simple way to estimate:
- Start with the average for your group size (e.g., 4-4.5 hours for a foursome).
- Add 15-30 minutes if the course is known to be slow or very hilly/long.
- Add 15-30 minutes or more if you know the course will be very busy and you will wait.
- Subtract 15-30 minutes if you are playing with fast players on a course known for fast play or if it’s a very quiet time.
Example: A foursome playing a hilly, average-length course on a busy Saturday.
* Start with 4.5 hours (for the foursome).
* Add 20 minutes for the hilly course layout.
* Add 30 minutes for expected waiting (busy day).
* Estimated time: 4.5 hours + 20 minutes + 30 minutes = 5 hours and 20 minutes.
Example: A twosome playing a flat, average-length course on a quiet weekday afternoon.
* Start with 3.5 hours (for a twosome).
* Subtract 15 minutes for the flat course.
* Subtract 30 minutes for no expected waiting (quiet day).
* Estimated time: 3.5 hours – 15 minutes – 30 minutes = 2 hours and 45 minutes.
This estimating time to walk 18 holes is not exact, but it helps you plan.
Why Walk the Course?
Walking 18 holes takes longer than riding, but many golfers prefer it. Why?
- Great Exercise: You get a good workout. You walk miles and burn lots of calories.
- Feel the Course: You see the course up close. You feel the slopes and distances better. This can help your game.
- Be More Ready: Walking keeps your body loose and ready to swing on each shot.
- Enjoy Nature: You spend more time outside enjoying the views and fresh air.
- Tradition: Golf started as a walking game. Walking connects you to the history of the sport.
Even though the golf round duration walking is longer, the benefits make it worth the extra time for many.
How Long Does It Really Feel?
Even if the clock says 4.5 hours, walking a round can feel different.
* If you are waiting a lot, the round can feel very long and slow.
* If you are walking and playing at a good pace, the time can fly by. You are always moving and thinking about your next shot.
The average time to walk 18 holes golf feels best when everyone in the group plays at a good, steady pace.
Considering Different Scenarios
Let’s think about some specific cases for how long to play 18 holes walking:
A Fast Single Player
Imagine one golfer who is a good player and walks fast. They play on a short, empty course.
* They might take only 2 hours to 2.5 hours.
* This is much faster than the average.
A Slow Foursome
Imagine four golfers who are new to the game. They hit many shots. They spend a lot of time looking for balls. They play on a long, hilly course on a busy weekend.
* This group could easily take 5 hours or even more.
* Waiting for groups ahead adds a lot of time here.
Walking with a Caddy
If you have a caddy, they carry your bag. This makes walking easier for you. It might help you walk faster between shots. It could shave a little time off the total. A caddy also helps with finding balls and reading greens. This can speed things up too.
Walking with a Push Cart (or Pull Cart)
Using a push cart means you are not carrying your bag. This also makes the walk less tiring. It helps you save energy and maintain a good pace. Many golfers who walk use a push cart. It is often easier than carrying for a long round.
Key Takeaways on Timing
Here are the main things to remember about how long to walk 18 holes:
- The standard average time to walk 18 holes golf is about 4 to 4.5 hours for a group of four.
- This time changes based on many things (factors affecting golf walking time).
- Your group size is very important (how long does a foursome take walking).
- How fast your group plays (average pace of play walking golf) matters a lot.
- The course itself (length, hills, layout) changes the time.
- How busy the course is adds waiting time.
- The distance walked during 18 holes is usually 4-7 miles.
- Walking generally takes longer than riding (time to walk 18 holes vs riding), often by 30-60 minutes.
- You can estimate your time (estimating time to walk 18 holes) by thinking about these points.
- Walking offers great benefits, even if it takes more time.
Knowing the average time helps you plan your golf day. It helps you know what to expect.
Final Thoughts
Walking 18 holes of golf is a rewarding way to play the game. It gives you exercise, connects you to the course, and is a traditional way to enjoy golf. While it does take more time than riding in a cart, understanding the factors that affect the golf round duration walking lets you plan better.
The answer to “How long to walk 18 holes of golf?” is not one exact number. It is a range, usually 4 to 4.5 hours for a foursome, but it can be much faster or slower depending on the day and the group. Focus on keeping a good average pace of play walking golf, no matter your group size, and you will have a great day on the course. The miles you walk (distance walked during 18 holes) are part of the healthy fun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
h4: Is walking 18 holes of golf hard?
h5: Yes, it is a good workout. You walk several miles, maybe 4 to 7 miles. Walking hills makes it harder. But if you are in decent shape, most people can walk 18 holes. Using a push cart helps a lot.
h4: How much distance do you cover walking 18 holes?
h5: You cover about 4 to 7 miles (6.5 to 11 km). This is more than the course length on the scorecard. You walk between holes and look for your ball. This is the average walking distance 18 holes.
h4: Is 4 hours a good time to walk 18 holes?
h5: Yes, 4 hours is a very good time for a foursome walking 18 holes. It is at the faster end of the average time to walk 18 holes golf for a group of four.
h4: How can I walk 18 holes faster?
h5: Play “ready golf.” Be ready to hit when it is your turn. Walk quickly between shots. Don’t spend too long looking for lost balls. Move quickly to the next tee after finishing a hole.
h4: Does carrying my bag take longer than using a push cart?
h5: Carrying might slow you down slightly compared to using a push cart, especially later in the round as you get tired. A push cart helps you keep a steady pace.
h4: What is the slowest thing that makes walking 18 holes take longer?
h5: Waiting for the group in front of you is usually the biggest reason a walking round takes a long time. Slow play by your own group or groups ahead adds the most time.
h4: How does walking pace compare to riding pace?
h5: Your pace between shots is often faster in a cart. But carts can cause waiting points. Walking players might arrive at their ball at the same time as their partner using a cart who had to drive further or stick to a path. The total playing time is usually shorter with a cart, but walking offers steady movement.
h4: Can a single player walk 18 holes in under 3 hours?
h5: Yes, easily on a quiet course. A fast walking single player can often finish in 2.5 hours or less if there are no groups ahead.
h4: Does walking help your golf game?
h5: Many golfers think so. Walking lets you see the course better. You feel the slopes. You stay loose and ready for each shot. It can help you focus better over the whole round.