How long does a pga round take

There is also evidence to suggest this increases player enjoyment. Increased fairway widths — Wider fairways can lead to more easier shots for golfers from fairways and less time spent looking for lost balls in the rough. Make the rough easier — extending the first cut of rough i. Good and clear course signs — Simple and clear signs directing golfers, particularly visitors, can ensure everyone takes the quickest route around the course.

For example, a group should not have an empty par 4 between them and the group ahead. If they do and are also delaying the group behind they should invite the players behind to play through i. Pick up balls when appropriate — If a player can no longer contribute to the game they are playing on a particular hole i.

This means the player assessing and deciding what their next shot will be, making a decision on club selection or lining up the putt. This phrase covers a number of actions that can individually and together speed up play. Position of bags or carts — When players approach the green, golf bags or carts should be positioned to allow for quick and efficient movement off the green towards the next tee.

A player who thinks they may have hit a ball out of bounds or lost it should play a provisional ball. This stops the need for the player to walk or drive back to the spot of their previous shot if indeed the ball is lost or out of bounds. Choose the right type of game at the right time — Golfers are typically themselves in charge of who they play with, what the game will be and when they want to play.

All these choices have an impact on how long a round will take. If players want to play strokeplay for example, the slowest form of the game, then ideally they should not play in a group of four. If players want to play quickly they can also consider choosing a quieter time of the day when the course is potentially under-utilised or has not yet filled up. Watch every ball possible — Searching for lost balls, as we have noted already, cause delays.

Good, clear and simple signs directing golfers, particularly visitors, can ensure everyone takes the quickest route around the course. How will the new rules reduce the length of time a round of golf takes?

This is aimed to speed up play by increasing the chances of the dropped ball staying within the permitted two-club-length drop area on the first try and not needing to be re-dropped. Putting with flagstick in the hole is now permitted — The new rules take away the previous penalty for hitting a flagstick left in the hole while putting on a green. The frequent taking out and placing back of flagsticks could previously often cause delays in a round of golf. Now golfers are allowed to drop the ball immediately behind the spot the ball was embedded irrespective of where on the course the ball landed e.

Final thought There are a number of reasons for wanting to reduce the length of time it takes to play a round of golf. Related questions How long does it take to play nine holes of golf? Be Sure to Fill the Gaps! Continue Reading. You can watch a sit-com in that span.

So, 25 minutes per player, and four players in your group. Studies have shown, in fact, that the average golfer loses 1. Tack on another 20 minutes. Which brings us to our grand total. It should take your foursome 3 hours and 47 minutes to play 18 holes. By Josh Sens. On Sunday, there were 25 groups on the course at one time. Put another way: If Tour players spend roughly 45 minutes preparing and executing actual shots, the rest of that time is waiting and walking.

This is a broader problem the Tour is unable or unwilling to address, depending on who you ask. According to various sources, members of the PAC and policy board regularly suggest changing the rules to make penalty shots a more likely option, and these suggestions are regularly dismissed.

The Tour could also move to a more transparent policy when it comes to pace of play, publishing, for example, a list of the 10 slowest players each week. Public shame is a profound motivator, but that also seems to be the type of Draconian approach the circuit would rather avoid.