The Best Time to Play Golf if You Want a Tee Time

Do you often find yourself searching for a tee time and being left frustrated that you can't play when it's convenient? That's a situation that we've all likely faced at some point, and with membership numbers high at many courses, not to mention a bustling population of visitors during the peak season, it's no surprise that golfers can often have difficulties when attempting to book their next round.

Recently, we learned about this in more detail from our survey that showcased the challenges that golfers have in booking preferred tee times, which is a particular issue for those younger players who have a small window for when they can play.

We learned that peak time congestion and weekend pressures made it hard for a significant proportion of golfers to secure a satisfying number of rounds, while there are major concerns related to overcrowding and booking system annoyances.

When is The Best Time to Play Golf if You Want a Tee Time?

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

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The question that we've now been left with is when is the best time of the week to play if you want a tee time?

80% of golfers who responded to our survey aged over 65 play more than once a week during the peak season, while that drops to 87% for those between the ages of 55 and 64, while 78% of golfers under the age of 55 played more than once weekly throughout the summer months.

That shows an impressive level of enthusiasm among the keen golfers who are part of the Golfshake Community, but accommodating everyone to a satisfactory level is a test for golf clubs and venues where tee times are a much desired commodity.

Which Days of The Week Do Golfers Typically Play? 

You probably won't be surprised by the chart above, but it does show several clear trends. Naturally, Saturday and Sunday are clearly the days that are most in demand, especially among those golfers under the age of 55, who are more likely to be working during the week and have family commitments.

The weekend is the least popular for those aged 65 and over, with those golfers typically favouring weekdays.

What it does demonstrate is that several days in the week have less demand for tee times, especially on Mondays, meaning that could be an opportunity for golfers to secure an extra round during a less fashionable day.

When Do You Prefer to Play Golf During The Week? 

Breaking it down further, we asked golfers to identify the time of day that they prefer to play during weekdays. Across each age group, but especially the older demographics, tee times between 8am and 12pm were most popular.

Additionally, likely to be expected, younger golfers also favoured times in the late afternoon (after 4pm) and evening in the peak season, but this chart shows that there could be greater availability in the early mornings, early afternoons and into the twilight hours for those who wish to play more often throughout the peak months of the season.

When Do You Prefer to Play Golf During The Weekend? 

Finally, looking specifically at weekends, a majority of golfers favour morning tee times, presumably to free their afternoons up for other activities, but this shows that there could be a greater chance to book rounds in the afternoon and evening for those who are able to be more flexible.

Ultimately, not everyone can get their preferred times, but if you open that window to encompass more of the day, there is ample daylight in the summer months to ensure that you have a chance to play.

What Tee Times Suit Different Types of Golfer?

Golfers are united in their love for the game and their desire to play more frequently, but they are divided in terms of age and personal circumstances that can influence exactly when they want to book rounds of golf.

Retired golfers will typically avoid weekends and are happy to play throughout the week, especially during quieter times and in the morning. Five-day members have also elected not to play at weekends due to the value for money offered by that subscription and the desire to avoid the peak times.

One (generously minded) respondent said: "I’m retired and choose not to play at weekends to leave tees open for members still working." While another added: "I usually pick quieter times - as I’m retired, I don’t need to cram golf into weekends."

Speaking of those working golfers, those who have a standard Monday to Friday working week are normally restricted to weekends, with the occasional twilight round dropped in too. "I have a Monday to Friday job, so weekends are when I can go."

Shift workers can be more adaptable and will play whenever they're off, which can open up more weekdays when there is less demand from other working golfers.

Competitive players will play at weekends and try to accommodate matches during the week too, while those who play primarily socially are more inclined to book tee times on Thursdays and Fridays with some twilight rounds thrown in too.

You may not always get the tee times you want, but it now seems to us that there is room for all golfers if they show consideration for others when it comes to not over-booking, playing at times that are most suitable to their demographic, and most of all, being open-minded to aim for times that wouldn't normally be preferred.

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