Golf
Golf Basics: How Many Holes Are in a Round?
A standard round of golf has 18 holes. That’s what most golfers play. Golf courses tend to be divided into the front 9 and back 9. After the 9th hole, golfers often take a break. Some golf courses offer rounds of only 9 holes.
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How Many Holes Are in a Game of Golf?
A standard game of golf has 18 holes. This is typically split into two halves, with the first nine holes known as the "front nine" and the last nine as the "back nine”. Some courses offer shorter rounds, like 9-hole courses, but 18 holes is the standard for a full game.
In 1764, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) chose to reduce its 22-hole course to 18 holes to streamline the links between holes and enhance the game’s flow. The R&A’s strong influence on the golf world led other clubs to adopt the 18-hole course design as well.
At the highest level of the game, such as the PGA Tour, tournaments are generally played over 72 holes, spanning four rounds of 18 holes each. The tournament usually runs from Thursday to Sunday, with players aiming to complete all 72 holes.
After the first two rounds (36 holes), a cut is made, and only the players with the lowest scores continue to play the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
Extra holes are often used as tiebreakers in golf.
How Many Holes Are in Disc Golf?
In disc golf, a standard course also typically has 18 holes, similar to traditional golf. However, some courses may have 9 holes or even 21 or more holes, depending on the course layout and level of play.
Most competitive disc golf tournaments are played on 18-hole courses, but like traditional golf, multi-round tournaments are common.
How Many Holes Are in Mini-Golf?
Mini-golf courses generally have 18 holes, mirroring traditional golf. However, some courses are designed with 9 holes or other variations, especially in family-friendly or theme park settings. For a full mini-golf experience, 18 holes is typical, but shorter courses are also common.
Chad Nagel is a passionate sports fanatic who has worked in the sports and betting industry for over a decade. He spent most of his career as an editor-in-chief for Soccer Betting News, South Africa’s leading soccer betting newspaper, owned by Hollywoodbets. His articles have also featured in some of the most respected sports media platforms in the world, such as SPORTbible, Sports Illustrated, Combat Sports UK, and many others.