How Long Does It Take to Play 18 Holes on a Golf Simulator?

One of the most common questions we receive at Swing House is: How much time should we reserve to play 18 holes?

A good rule of thumb is to plan for approximately 45 to 60 minutes per golfer. A single golfer can often finish 18 holes in about an hour, while a group of four should generally reserve three to four hours.

Estimated Golf Simulator Playing Times

Here is a helpful starting point:

One golfer: 45 to 75 minutes

Two golfers: 1½ to 2 hours

Three golfers: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Four golfers: 4 to 5 hours

Five or six golfers: 5 or more hours

These are estimates rather than guarantees. Experienced golfers playing quickly may finish sooner, while beginners, families and social groups may want additional time.

Why Is Simulator Golf Faster Than Outdoor Golf?

An outdoor round of golf commonly takes two t four hours or longer. Playing indoors eliminates many of the things that slow down a traditional round.

There is no walking or driving between shots, waiting for the group ahead, looking for lost golf balls or dealing with weather delays. Once a shot is complete, the simulator moves everyone directly to the next location.

That makes it possible to enjoy a full round without committing most of your day.

What Can Affect Your Playing Time?

Several factors determine how quickly your group completes 18 holes.

Number of Golfers

The number of players is usually the biggest factor. Every additional golfer adds another shot sequence to each hole. A solo golfer can move quickly, while a group of four will naturally need more time.

Experience Level

Experienced golfers generally select clubs and take their shots faster. New golfers may need additional time to become comfortable with the Trackman controls, understand the course and choose clubs.

Putting Settings

Putting can add a considerable amount of time to a simulator round. Using automatic putting or shorter gimme distances can help your group finish faster. Players looking for a more traditional experience may choose settings that require more putting.

Course Difficulty

A challenging course with narrow fairways, water hazards and difficult greens will usually take longer than a forgiving course. More shots mean more time.

Playing Format

Traditional stroke play generally takes longer than a scramble. In a scramble, everyone hits and the group continues from the best shot. This makes a scramble a great option for larger groups, beginners and anyone focused more on having fun than recording an individual score.

How Social Your Group Is

Some groups want to play as efficiently as possible. Others want to watch a game, enjoy food and beverages, talk between shots and make the round part of a longer social outing. There is nothing wrong with either approach, but a social group should reserve additional time.

How Much Time Should You Reserve?

If completing all 18 holes is important, we recommend reserving enough time based on the size and experience of your group.

A solo golfer should reserve at least one hour.

Two golfers should reserve approximately two hours.

Three golfers should reserve two to three hours.

Four golfers should reserve three to four hours.

Groups of five or six should consider playing a scramble or reserving at least four hours.

If you are unsure, reserving a little extra time is usually better than reaching the 17th hole as your session ends.

Can You Play if You Only Have One Hour?

Absolutely. You do not need to finish 18 holes to enjoy your reservation & the the Trackman app will save your progess!

In one hour, you can play nine holes, practice on the virtual range, work on a specific part of your game or try one of Trackman’s casual games. Groups can also choose a scramble format to cover more holes in less time.

Play at Your Own Pace at Swing House

Swing House Golf Sims offers three completely private Trackman iO bays in St. Cloud near Sartell. We are open 24 hours a day, so you can play early in the morning, late at night or whenever golf fits your schedule.

Each reservation includes up to five guests at no additional cost. Your group can choose from more than 570 virtual courses, use detailed Trackman swing data or simply enjoy a relaxed round together.

Ready to play?

Reserve your private bay at Swing House and see how much golf you can fit into your day.