Planning a family mini golf trip is a lot easier if you know how long to allow for meals, breaks and all the other things. How long does mini golf take though? A group of four will typically complete an 18 hole course in about 45 to 60 minutes. It will take longer if you've got younger kids who need a bit more time to get the hang of it and it will also take longer if the course is busy on the weekend. In this guide parents will find out how long it takes to play 18 holes of mini golf, what will affect the time taken, whether 9 or 18 holes is better for the kids and some practical tips to ensure it's a fun and stress free family day out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Typical playing time (from published figures at a number of mini golf courses) is around 45 to 60 minutes for a group of four to complete 18 holes.
- Allow extra time for the young children. They may need more time to get used to the putter, to listen to the instructions and to move from hole to hole. Parents should allow for a bit of extra time to ensure the whole thing is relaxed and enjoyable.
- Crowds and course design have an effect on playing time. If you're queuing up at holes with moving obstacles (i.e. the crowd) it can make the game take a lot longer than it would on a weekday.
- Choose the right number of holes (9 or 18) depending on your child's energy. Always check the course house rules (stroke limits, proper turn taking etc).
Average Time to Play 18 Holes of Mini Golf
If you're planning a family trip you might be wondering how long mini golf takes and how long you should allow for it. A group of four will typically be able to do 18 holes in about 45 to 60 minutes. The actual time taken will of course vary depending on the number of people, the layout of the course and the amount of time you have to queue. It's all very much a case of knowing how long to plan for so that you can organise your meals and breaks etc without rushing your kids.
A Typical 45–60 Minute Round for a Group of Four
For parents asking 'how long does 18 holes of mini golf take?' a good guide would be 45 to 60 minutes for four players on a fairly busy course. That gives each person a good amount of time to go, to aim their shots and to enjoy the various obstacles. The younger kids will obviously need a bit more assistance and encouragement, particularly if it's their first time doing mini golf. A bit of extra time is always going to be a good thing.
How to Estimate Playing Time for Each Hole
To plan your day you can work out approximately 2.5 to 3 minutes per mini golf hole. Each player will of course take a few moments to put the ball in, decide where to go and make their putts before the group move on to the next hole. For a group of 3 or 4 that would take you 45 to 54 minutes for 18 holes assuming there are no long waits. That's a fairly simple calculation to use to keep an eye on how your day is progressing and to work out when to serve the meal and when to give the kids a break.
How Group Size Affects Mini Golf Playing Time
The number of players can have a massive impact on how long a round of mini golf takes. A group of just 1 or 2 adults will probably get through 18 holes in the 30–40 minute range as there are far fewer turns to wait for. A family of four or more will typically take 45–60 minutes or so, with the time stretching to longer as everyone has to take their turn, record their scores and then move on to the next hole. When you're playing with young kids it's more important to keep the pace of the game comfortable than to try and finish as quickly as possible.
If you're new to the activity then you may want to read our guide on what mini golf is in order to get a feel for how the game works and the differences between mini golf and traditional golf.
Choosing 9 or 18 Holes for Your Family
When working out how long a round of mini golf takes, parents should be asking themselves whether a 9 hole or an 18 hole is the better option for their kids. A short round is obviously ideal for younger kids, whereas the full 18 hole gives them much more opportunity to encounter the various obstacles and to get some putting in. It's really down to the age of the child, their attention span and their energy levels rather than just ticking off every hole.
When is a shorter round the better choice?
For kids playing mini golf for the first time a 9 hole round (taking about 20-30 minutes) is usually a good option. It's long enough for them to get a feel for putting and to play around the various fun obstacles without becoming too fatigued or losing concentration. A shorter round is also ideal on a hot day or if you've got meals/other downtime scheduled afterwards. The key for parents is to focus on the enjoyment of the experience rather than the number of holes completed.
Whether you go for 9 or 18 holes is going to be down to your kids' energy levels, their experience and the amount of time you have available.
When should your family play all 18 holes?
An 18 hole round is generally the better option for older kids or kids who are already well versed in mini golf. When the kids have the energy and concentration, they'll typically enjoy the various obstacles and the process of working through them and recording their scores on a scorecard. A lot of the themed mini golf courses (pirate, jungle, adventure etc) will link their holes together to create one continuous adventure. Getting through all 18 holes is the way to experience the full course and all the challenges and stories it has to offer.
Check Your Child's Energy Level and the Course Layout
During the game, parents need to be on the lookout for signs that their kid is getting tired, thirsty or losing interest in the game so they can take a break if necessary. Before you go and buy your tickets, check with the staff as to whether the course has a 9 hole option or whether families can finish early. Some courses will only sell 18 hole tickets and have one way paths which can make it very difficult to get back to the entrance halfway through. It's worth checking that in advance so you can pick a schedule that works for your family and avoid any problems down the line.
If you're bringing a baby then our guide on how to play golf with a baby has some useful tips on how to prepare and plan a comfortable family day out.
Simple Ways to Keep Family Mini Golf on Schedule
Parents asking 'how long does it take to play mini golf?' should bear in mind that the answer is very much down to preparation and how you go about it. Take the right equipment with you, set some simple family rules and let the kids play at their own pace. The aim isn't to get through every hole as quickly as possible but to have a good time and for everyone to be at ease.
Set a Family-Friendly Stroke Limit
If children are finding the obstacles very difficult and are having to putt the ball in quite a few times without getting it into the hole then they can easily become frustrated. To keep the game going and keep it fun you could agree a limit of perhaps 5 or 6 strokes per hole (this would be dependent on the child's ability and the course rules of course). If the child hasn't got it in after that number of strokes they can simply pick it up, drop it in the hole and move on to the next hole with the family (as long as the course allows it). That way you don't have a group of kids behind waiting for the others to finish.
Short breaks, simple prep and a relaxed pace all help families to enjoy mini golf without it feeling at all rushed.
Prepare the Essentials Before Starting
A bit of preparation will go a long way to avoiding any disruption to the mini golf experience. Get the kids to use the loo before they start (particularly at the bigger outdoor courses where the facilities may be a long way from some of the holes). If allowed, bring some water and appropriate snacks. Wear comfortable clothes so they can move about. If they get tired or distracted, a short break is generally far more useful than telling them to just get on with it.
Parents can also take a look at our guide to golf rules for kids to introduce the basics of safe play and appropriate behaviour.
For families trying to work out how long it takes to mini golf the best thing to do is to plan it around what the kids need rather than try to adhere to a rigid timetable. With sensible time estimates, some flexibility and a bit of preparation you can turn a round of mini golf into a really good family day out.
Conclusion
How long does mini golf take? Knowing that makes it far easier for parents to plan a family outing without feeling they're rushing things. The average family will take about 45 to 60 minutes to complete the 18 holes. Younger kids will of course take longer to get through each hole at their own pace. The whole point is having a good time, laughing and making memories. If you want to keep your little ones comfortable throughout the day then take a look at Swaddlean's golf collection.
