Is a cart faster than walking?

A bit, but less than most people think. When there's a queue on the course, the cart sits idle just as much as the walking player.

Are threesomes faster than foursomes?

Yes, usually. Fewer players means fewer shots and less waiting per hole, but a queue on the course affects both equally.

Why are afternoon rounds often slower?

Because delays build up through the day. One slow flight early on affects everyone who starts after it.

Pace of play · Guide

Why does golf take so long?

A round of golf takes time because 18 holes means 5–6 kilometers of walking and roughly 80–100 shots per player. But when a round stretches past 4.5 hours, the cause is almost always a queue: tee times packed too tightly, a few slow holes, long ball searches, and waiting on the tee. The golf itself rarely takes that long.

The baseline: what golf actually requires

Four players walking cover 5–6 kilometers and hit a combined 300–400 shots over 18 holes. With normal walking pace between shots and reasonable preparation, that takes around four hours. That's the baseline – anything beyond it is usually waiting.

The most common time thieves

Tee intervals that are too tight: when tee times are packed closer than the course can handle, the queue builds up over the day.
One or two slow holes: a long par 5 or a short par 3 with a backup can delay the whole course.
Ball searches: minutes disappear fast when several players search at once.
Playing from too far back: more shots and more searching than necessary.
Waiting on the tee: if you're standing around waiting before every drive, your own pace isn't the problem.

Queues spread backward

A hole that takes ten minutes too long doesn't just delay that one flight. Everyone behind inherits the delay, and with tight tee times it grows through the day. That's why afternoon rounds often feel slower than morning rounds on the same course.

What can be done

The club needs to know where the time is actually going. With automatic per-hole timing, you can see whether it's the tee times, one specific hole, or individual flights causing the problem – and adjust what actually matters.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cart faster than walking?: A bit, but less than most people think. When there's a queue on the course, the cart sits idle just as much as the walking player.
Are threesomes faster than foursomes?: Yes, usually. Fewer players means fewer shots and less waiting per hole, but a queue on the course affects both equally.
Why are afternoon rounds often slower?: Because delays build up through the day. One slow flight early on affects everyone who starts after it.