How Long Does Mini Golf Take? Average Time Per Round

Mini golf is one of those rare activities that works for a first date, a family outing, or an impromptu competition with friends. Before you head out, though, it helps to know how much time you should set aside.

While an 18-hole putt-putt course looks small compared with a full-size golf layout, round length can still vary quite a bit. Below is a realistic look at the average time per round and the factors that make some groups speed through while others take a leisurely stroll.

Average Time for an 18-Hole Mini Golf Round

For most visitors, an 18-hole mini golf round lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. This window assumes a group of four moving at a relaxed but steady pace, with minimal waiting on each hole.

Shorter courses or faster groups can finish in as little as 30 minutes, while busy nights at popular venues can stretch a single round past the 75-minute mark.

Key Factors That Influence Pace of Play

No two mini golf outings play the same. The following variables decide whether you breeze through or feel like you are stuck in a slow-moving queue.

• Group size – larger parties take more strokes per hole
• Skill level – beginners need more putts and practice swings
• Course difficulty – elevated ramps, water hazards, and trick shots add time
• Crowd levels – peak evenings, weekends, or holiday periods create backups
• Course policies – some venues allow multiple stroke limits to speed play

How Group Size Alters Round Length

Each additional player lengthens a round because every hole now has extra putts, ball retrievals, and celebrations. In general, add 10 to 12 minutes per player when estimating total time.

For example, two experienced players may wrap up 18 holes in 35 minutes, while six casual players can push the same course to 80 minutes or more.

Skill Level and Course Difficulty

Newcomers often need extra strokes to clear obstacles, and that learning curve shows up on the clock. Courses designed with steep inclines, multi-tier holes, or elaborate moving parts force even seasoned putters to slow down and aim carefully.

If you are pressed for time, choose a beginner-friendly layout that advertises par-2 or par-3 holes rather than advanced par-5 challenges.

Peak Times vs Off-Peak Hours

Crowd density is arguably the biggest wild card. Many facilities see traffic surges after dinner, on Friday and Saturday nights, and during school vacations. During these periods, expect to spend almost as much time waiting on tee boxes as putting.

Visiting on weekday afternoons or early mornings can cut total round length by 15 to 25 minutes because you move straight from one hole to the next.

Tips to Keep Your Game Moving

You don’t have to sprint through the course, but a few courtesy habits help everyone enjoy a smoother experience.

• Limit practice swings to one per shot
• Keep a maximum stroke rule, many courses use six or seven
• Have the next player line up while the current ball is finishing
• Retrieve balls quickly after the last putt drops
• Let faster groups play through if your party is learning the ropes

Mini Golf vs Other Leisure Activities

Compared with alternative outings, mini golf is firmly in the middle ground for time commitment. Bowling a single game often takes about the same 45-minute window for four players. Escape rooms sit at a strict 60-minute limit, while a movie night pushes closer to two hours.

Knowing these comparisons makes it easier to slot mini golf into a packed schedule or combine it with dinner and other plans.

Final Putt

Most mini golf rounds wrap up within an hour, but crowd levels, course design, and player experience can push that estimate higher or lower. Accounting for these factors helps you plan your evening without surprises.

Arrive during off-peak times, keep groups small when possible, and follow basic pace-of-play etiquette to spend less time waiting and more time enjoying those satisfying hole-in-ones.