As a rule, allow around two hours for nine holes and four to five hours for eighteen holes in a group. The time varies with the course, the number of players and how much waiting there is between holes.
Allow two hours, or half a day
On top of the playing time, add the journey, checking in at reception and whatever warm-up you have planned.
If you have a schedule to keep to, ask the club how much time to allow for the tee time you have chosen. A nine-hole slot can be easier to fit in than a full round.
The course, the group and the waiting
The length of the holes and the walks between tees play a part. Searching for balls, waiting behind other groups and the difficulty of the course can all make the round longer.
The number of players matters too, but playing alone does not guarantee a quick round if there are several groups in front of you. A buggy does not do away with the waiting, and its use may be restricted depending on the state of the course.
Keeping a good pace of play
Find your ball and think about your club choice when you can do so safely. Keep the things you need within reach, and leave your bag where you can walk straight off the green towards the next hole.
The R&A’s guide to pace of play distinguishes, among other things, between how the course is managed and how players behave. Follow the club’s policy when your group falls behind.
Teeing off late in the day
For a late tee time, check the cut-off time given by the club. Book a format that fits the daylight available and the announced closing times.