How Long Does It Take to Play 36 Holes of Mini Golf?
Playing all 36 holes of mini golf at Golf Center of Arlington takes most groups about 60 to 90 minutes, or roughly 30 to 45 minutes per 18-hole course. Group size, kids and how seriously you keep score move the number. Replays are free the same day, so you can split the two courses into separate sessions.
"How long does mini golf take?" is really a planning question: can we fit it in before dinner, before the game, before the park closes? At Golf Center of Arlington, 1301 NE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006, the honest answer is about 60 to 90 minutes for both courses, and this page explains what pushes a visit toward the short or long end of that range.
How long does each 18-hole course take?
The mini golf at Golf Center of Arlington is two separate 18-hole outdoor courses, 36 holes in all, laid out on a landscaped nature course with bridges, rock formations and seven waterfalls. Because the holes follow the terrain rather than sitting in a flat grid, there is some walking between them, and that walking is part of the time.
The facility itself says most visits last about 60 to 90 minutes for both courses, and that figure has held up through the current remodel. Most visitors finish both courses in that window. A pair of adults keeping a brisk pace can play one course in about 30 minutes. A family with young children, or a group of six that waits for everyone to putt out, lands closer to 45 minutes per course. Ninety minutes for the full 36 is a safe number to plan around.
The course is partway through a remodel. Every hole is open to play, but the seven waterfalls are temporarily off while the last of the work is finished. During the remodel there is a limited-time special of $8 per person for unlimited mini golf all day.
What makes a round faster or slower?
Five things account for most of the difference between a 55-minute visit and a two-hour one.
Group size
Two people move twice as fast as four. Groups of six or more should expect the longer end, or split into two groups of three and play the courses in opposite order.
Ages in the group
Toddlers and preschoolers add time on every hole, and that is fine. Kids 3 and under play free with a paying adult, so there is no pressure to make a little one finish 36 holes.
Scoring
A scorecard is provided with every ticket. Keeping strict score, with putt-out rules and tiebreakers, slows things down. Playing for fun with a stroke limit speeds them up.
Traffic on the course
On a busy evening you may wait at a hole for the group ahead. Playing during quieter hours, or starting on whichever course is emptier, keeps things moving.
The good news is that a slow round costs nothing extra. Every ticket at Golf Center of Arlington includes tax, a club and a ball, both courses and free same-day replays. Nobody is on a clock. Our guide to playing mini golf with toddlers has pacing tips for the youngest players.
How much time should you block for a visit?
Add a few minutes at each end for parking, tickets and returning clubs. Here is what different groups typically need from the counter to the car.
| Group | One course (18 holes) | Both courses (36 holes) | Plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two adults, casual pace | About 30 min | About 60 min | 75 min |
| Family of four with school-age kids | About 35–45 min | About 70–90 min | 90–100 min |
| Family with a toddler | About 45 min | Often one course only | 60 min plus snack time |
| Group of 6–8 adults | About 45 min | About 90 min | 2 hours with the bar |
Times are typical ranges based on the facility's guidance that most visits last about 60 to 90 minutes for both courses; your pace will vary.
Because replays are free the same day, "both courses" does not have to mean back to back. A family can play one course, stop at the snack bar, and play the second course an hour later on the same ticket. Our breakdown of what mini golf costs for a family of four covers what that ticket includes.
Know your window? Buy tickets online, walk straight to the first tee, and use the free same-day replays if you have time left over.
Buy Mini Golf TicketsWhen is the best time to play?
Golf Center of Arlington is open Monday–Saturday 8 AM–11 PM and Sunday 8 AM–10 PM, seven days a week. The mini golf course is outdoors, so the time of day matters more for weather than for hours.
- Start at least 90 minutes before closing. That leaves enough time to finish both courses without rushing the back nine of the second one.
- In summer, play early or late. Texas afternoons in July and August are hot on an outdoor course. Morning and evening rounds are more comfortable, and you can split 36 holes across both on one ticket.
- Around stadium events, go north first. Golf Center of Arlington is about two miles north of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field. Playing before a game, or waiting out post-game traffic on the course, beats sitting in the lots.
- Weather check. Mini golf is outdoors and weather-dependent. The 18 covered, heated driving range bays are open rain or shine if the sky turns.
Can you combine mini golf with the driving range in one visit?
Yes, and many families do. Golf Center of Arlington is a full public driving range with 18 covered, heated bays, 28 grass tees and Toptracer ball tracking on every bay, all on the same property as the mini golf. A medium bucket of 60 balls is $21, regular bucket prices are 30% off from 9 AM to 6 PM daily, and one bucket shared in a bay keeps two or three people busy for about half an hour.
- Mini golf plus one bucket: about two hours total for a family of four.
- Toptracer games: Angry Birds, Go Fish and Closest to the Pin on the bay screen need no golf experience; see the Toptracer overview for the full game list.
- Short game area: any bucket purchase includes free access to the putting green, chipping green and bunkers, a good stop for kids who liked the putting part of mini golf.
- Bar and snack bar: light snacks, non-alcoholic drinks and, for adults, 50+ beers with local craft options.
No reservation is needed for either activity. Groups of about eight or more should call 817-469-9005 ahead, and groups of 15 or more should reserve. Visitors staying near the stadiums can see how the pieces fit together in our guide to golf and mini golf near the Arlington Entertainment District, and our page on mini golf near Six Flags Over Texas covers pairing a round with a park day.
Is 36 holes too long for young kids?
Often, yes, and that is not a problem. A ticket at Golf Center of Arlington covers both courses, but there is no requirement to play them. Many families with preschoolers play one 18-hole course, take a break, and decide on the second course based on mood. Kids 3 and under are free with a paying adult, and kid-size clubs and colorful balls are provided, so a short round costs nothing extra and needs no special gear. For the full course description, party options and the current price list, see the Golf Center of Arlington mini golf page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to play 36 holes of mini golf?
At Golf Center of Arlington, most groups play both 18-hole courses in about 60 to 90 minutes. Two adults at a casual pace can finish in about an hour; a family of four with school-age kids usually needs closer to 90 minutes. Groups of six or more, or groups with toddlers, should plan on the long end or play just one course.
How long does one 18-hole course take?
Roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Two adults moving steadily can play one of the two 18-hole courses at Golf Center of Arlington in about 30 minutes. A family with young children, or a group that keeps strict score and waits for every putt, will take closer to 45 minutes. Walking between holes on the landscaped course is part of that time.
Do we have to play both courses at once?
No. Every mini golf ticket at Golf Center of Arlington includes both courses and free same-day replays, so you can play one course, take a break at the snack bar, and play the second course later the same day. Under the limited-time $8 remodel special, play is unlimited all day, so splitting the visit into two or three sessions costs nothing extra.
What time should we arrive to finish both courses?
Arrive at least 90 minutes before closing. Golf Center of Arlington is open Monday–Saturday 8 AM–11 PM and Sunday 8 AM–10 PM. In summer, morning or evening rounds are more comfortable on the outdoor course than mid-afternoon. Holiday hours can differ, so call 817-469-9005 before a holiday visit.
Is there a time limit on the mini golf course?
No. A mini golf ticket at Golf Center of Arlington is not timed. It covers both 18-hole courses, and replays are free the same day you visit, so a slow group with young children can take as long as it needs. The only clock that matters is closing time: Monday–Saturday 8 AM–11 PM and Sunday 8 AM–10 PM, so start at least 90 minutes before the facility closes.
How much time does adding the driving range take?
Plan on about 30 to 40 minutes for a medium bucket of 60 balls, which is $21 at Golf Center of Arlington and 30% off from 9 AM to 6 PM daily. A family that plays both mini golf courses and shares one bucket in a covered Toptracer bay usually spends about two hours on site. No reservation is needed for the range or the mini golf.
Play 36 holes of mini golf
Two landscaped courses, clubs and balls included, free same-day replays. Minutes from the Entertainment District.
Golf Center of Arlington · 1301 NE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006 · 817-469-9005 · Open Mon–Sat 8 AM–11 PM, Sun 8 AM–10 PM