For a group of four, the R&A's Pace of Play Manual uses 10 minutes for an average-length par 3, 13 minutes for a par 4 and 16 minutes for a par 5. Add those up over 18 holes and a par 72 course with four par 3s, ten par 4s and four par 5s comes to 234 minutes, or 3 hours 54 minutes. These are base times for a group of four, not a time you are required to meet.
The ChartMinutes per hole for a group of four
| Hole | Base time, group of four |
|---|---|
| Par 3 (average length) | 10 minutes |
| Par 4 (average length) | 13 minutes |
| Par 5 (average length) | 16 minutes |
Source: The R&A, Pace of Play Manual, Appendix C, Time Par Guidelines.
That is 10 minutes times the number of par 3s, plus 13 times the number of par 4s, plus 16 times the number of par 5s. Two common layouts work out like this.
| Course | Par 3s | Par 4s | Par 5s | Total minutes | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par 72 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 234 | 3 h 54 min |
| Par 70 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 228 | 3 h 48 min |
Source: The R&A, Pace of Play Manual, Appendix C. Totals add the manual's 10, 13 and 16 minute hole times.
CalculatorWork out your own course
Count the par 3s, par 4s and par 5s on your scorecard and type them in. The starting numbers are the par 72 layout from the table. Nine holes? Enter the nine.
234 minutes for 18 holes.
Base times from the R&A's Pace of Play Manual, for a group of four and an average-length hole. The extra minutes box is yours to set: it is added once for every hole you enter, and left at 0 it adds nothing.
The manual lists the walk from the green to the next tee as one of the things that changes a course's time, and it gives no number for it. That is why the extra minutes box starts at 0. A course with long walks between holes needs a bigger number than a compact one.
Read it rightWhat these times are, and are not
They are base times for a group of four. The manual says a course's time par depends on the number of players in each group, the length of the holes, how hard they are, and the walk from the green to the next tee. It does not put numbers on any of those adjustments.
They are a starting point, not a standard. The manual uses the 10, 13 and 16 minute figures as the basis for working out a course's time par, and its own worked example is labelled as not a recommended time par. Your club or committee may set a different target, so check with them for the number that applies to your course or event.
There is no round time in the Rules. The Rules ask for a prompt pace and penalise unreasonable delay, as covered below, but they do not say how long 18 holes must take.
The RuleWhat Rule 5.6 says about pace
Rule 5.6b (Prompt Pace of Play) says a round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. It recommends that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after they are (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction. It adds that the player should usually be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so.
Rule 5.6a (Unreasonable Delay) is the one with penalties. A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between two holes.
| Breach of Rule 5.6a | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First | One penalty stroke |
| Second | General Penalty (loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play) |
| Third | Disqualification |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 5.6a; General Penalty as defined in Rule 1.3c.
If a player unreasonably delays play between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole. The 40 seconds in Rule 5.6b is a recommendation; the penalty comes from unreasonable delay under Rule 5.6a.
Using itHow to use the times
Put your course's hole counts into the calculator for a quick idea of a four-ball round. If you are planning a day, add your own extra minutes for the walk and for the tee box, and keep in mind the manual's base times are for a group of four.
To count your course's par 3s, 4s and 5s from the card, our guide to reading a golf scorecard shows where the pars are printed, and the par 3, 4 and 5 lengths chart shows how long each kind of hole usually plays. If a delay comes with a tricky lie, the relief cheat sheet gets you to your options quickly.
Watch forCommon mix-ups
Treating 3 hours 54 minutes as a deadline. It is the sum of base times for one layout, not a limit in the Rules.
Using a group of four's times for a twosome or a fivesome. Group size changes the time and the manual gives no figure for it. Treat the result as a four-ball number.
Mixing up the two parts of Rule 5.6. Rule 5.6b is the 40-second recommendation. Rule 5.6a is the penalty for unreasonable delay. Slow play is judged under 5.6a.
Forgetting the walk. The manual treats the walk to the next tee as a factor, so a spread-out course takes longer than the table alone says.
FAQQuick answers
How long does it take to play 18 holes of golf?
On the R&A's base times for a group of four, a par 72 course with four par 3s, ten par 4s and four par 5s adds up to 234 minutes, or 3 hours 54 minutes. A par 70 course with four par 3s, twelve par 4s and two par 5s adds up to 228 minutes, or 3 hours 48 minutes. These are base times, not a required time.
How many minutes per hole should a group take?
The manual's base times for a group of four are 10 minutes on an average-length par 3, 13 on a par 4 and 16 on a par 5.
How long does 9 holes take?
Enter the nine holes' pars in the calculator above. It adds 10, 13 or 16 minutes for each par 3, 4 or 5.
How long can I take over a shot?
Rule 5.6b recommends no more than 40 seconds after you are (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction. It is a recommendation, and players are encouraged to go faster when they can.
Is there a penalty for slow play?
Rule 5.6a penalises unreasonable delay, either when playing a hole or between two holes. It is one stroke for the first breach, the General Penalty for the second and disqualification for the third.
Does the walk between holes count toward the time?
The manual lists the walk from the green to the next tee as a factor in a course's time but does not give a figure. Use the extra minutes box in the calculator for your own allowance. Under Rule 5.6a, unreasonable delay between two holes can be penalised too.