Free golf round timer to track pace of play. An 18-hole round should take 4–4.5 hours (13–15 minutes per hole). Keep your group on pace. Start instantly.
18 holes: 4–4.5 hours for a group of 4 (13–15 minutes per hole). 9 holes: 2–2.5 hours. Solo round: 2.5–3 hours for 18. Slow play (above 4.5 hours for 18) is the most common complaint at golf clubs. Pace of play is primarily determined by preparation: club selection and reading putts before it is your turn.
Championship pace: 4 hours for 18 holes. Club standard: 4–4.25 hours. The 13-minute per hole benchmark (240 minutes ÷ 18 holes) is the widely-used standard. A group consistently at or under this benchmark is considered to have good pace. Tracking by the timer reveals slow holes early.
Ready golf: play when ready rather than strictly adhering to "furthest from pin plays first." At casual and club level, ready golf is accepted practice and reduces round time by 20–30 minutes. Always be safe — only play when it is safe to do so regardless of who is technically "away."
Most clubs can ask slow groups to allow faster groups to play through. In strokeplay competitions, a pace of play policy applies — groups more than out of position may receive a warning, followed by 1-stroke penalties for subsequent slow play. In match play, R&A rules permit 1-stroke penalties for slow play.
Key habits: select your club before reaching the ball, read your putt as others play, limit practice swings to 1, leave the putting green immediately after holing out (mark scores at the next tee), park the buggy at the exit side of the green. These habits alone reduce 18-hole rounds by 20–30 minutes.