How long did an average round take in the 1980s?

[nevets88]

Lets say the pre Greg Norman 80s. I know it's not a fair comparison to now, since there were fewer people and golf was less popular. I'm still interested in hearing from anyone who played back then. Was slow play a problem?

[iacas]

Lets say the pre Greg Norman 80s. I know it's not a fair comparison to now, since there were fewer people and golf was less popular. I'm still interested in hearing from anyone who played back then. Was slow play a problem?

I think golf was more popular in the 80s and 90s than it is now, actually.

I seem to recall that play has been slow since Jack Nicklaus invented slow play.

[packerfan1]

Ya, back in the 80's I could finish 18 in around an hour, never a problem with slow play, everyone moved quickly and efficiently, and best of all that was a time before practice swings!

Trust me, it hasn't really changed. Maybe a bit slower because carts seem to be in even more use than before, but otherwise about the same.

[G10_Jamie]

Ya, back in the 80's I could finish 18 in around an hour, never a problem with slow play, everyone moved quickly and efficiently, and best of all that was a time before practice swings!

18 holes in an hour?

Damn that is fast. In High school I averaged 9 holes in 45 minutes with a cart. This was not what I would call super fast. I play fast compared to many, but I still was able to enjoy the sites and sounds of the course and the views of the River the course overlooked. To finish 18 in an hour I would have to be running between shots!! Jamie

[Smallville]

I think it took a lot longer because our pants were tighter (couldn't move as quickly) and we were more worried about how our hair looked (is it spiked enough still?). And let's not even talk about how we looked in those shorty shorts!

Seriously though, I actually think it took longer on average. I remember a lot of 6 hour rounds because the course wasn't moving. Not to mention I was taking 25 more shots than I am now!

[Mikey]

Ya, back in the 80's I could finish 18 in around an hour, never a problem with slow play, everyone moved quickly and efficiently, and best of all that was a time before practice swings!

18 holes in an hour is hauling!!! I would only be able to knock down a few beers in that amount of time.

[shortstop20]

18 holes in 60 minutes = Three and a third minutes per hole. It's not possible no matter how you twist it.

[Dub]

18 holes in 60 minutes = Three and a third minutes per hole. It's not possible no matter how you twist it.

I agree.

There are a couple of guys that I work with who claim to routinely get 36 holes in in under 4 hours. They take separate carts and play ready-golf on a local private club.

[Lemay427]

Ya, back in the 80's I could finish 18 in around an hour, never a problem with slow play, everyone moved quickly and efficiently, and best of all that was a time before practice swings!

I think he was being sarcastic because that is impossible unless you played speed golf and hit polo style from the golf cart.

[Smallville]

I think he was being sarcastic because that is impossible unless you played speed golf and hit polo style from the golf cart.

I think so too, especially after he also said:

Trust me, it hasn't really changed. Maybe a bit slower because carts seem to be in even more use than before, but otherwise about the same.

That line was almost an afterthought that some peole may have missed (it wasn't really, it ws necessary for the post, but being at the end some people might not have gotten that far!). Funny post though, I liked it when I read it. Besides you'd have to get out first or have everyone in front of you playing the same way!

[Lefty731PM]

Ya, back in the 80's I could finish 18 in around an hour, never a problem with slow play, everyone moved quickly and efficiently, and best of all that was a time before practice swings!

An hour is about right - and that's not really rushing it, and putting out rather than marking it. 45 to 50 minutes if you were the first out on the course. 30 minutes if it was a twosome.

About 4 hours was the expectation, walking. Because less golf was on TV there was less time wasted on greens and ridiculously complex pre shot routines. A lot of players take too long on the greens now and as much as I like Sean O'Hare, many young players are about as slow.