We all know someone whose gotten a hole in one before, or maybe you’re one of them. It almost has a mystical allure to it, especially for those who’ve never had one (I’m one of those people). It’s rare, even for tour professionals to hit a hole in one and even more so for average golfers. But just how hard is it to get a hole in one?
Well, if you’re hoping for one in the near future, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news… According to GolfSmith.com, the chances of an amateur golfer hitting a hole in one are around 1 in 12,750. That means you would have to play 12,750 par 3’s until you finally have an average chance of getting an ace.
If you consider that on a “normal” 18-hole course you only play about four par 3’s a round that means it will take, on average, a little less than 3,200 rounds for you to eagle a par three. Now, if we assume that you play twice a week for six months (it’s cold in Wisconsin), that’s only around 50 rounds a year. So if you were to wait until you had an average chance of sinking it in one shot, you would have to play…
64 Years!
Yes, that’s a long time. A really long time. In fact, that’s longer than I’ve been alive by at least three fold.
I guess that’s why it’s customary for the golfer who hits the hole in one to buy a round of drinks for his party at the end of the round. If nobody vouched for him or her, who would believe that it actually happened with such bad odds?
The celebration is great, and we all heard stories about a friend’s hole in one, but if you’re like me, and you haven’t gotten a hole in one quite yet, I suppose you should consider yourself part of the majority. We all hope to one day get a hole in one but it seems like the odds of that happening are not quite as great as we all might hope.
But that begs the question… Have any of you ever beaten the odds? Tell us about your hole in one (or lack there of) and the people you were with at the time!
The Grateful Golfer
Sully
I have 3 holes in one. All in tournaments. 145 yards, 179 yards and 211 yards. All of my playing partners received a drink! Now looking for number 4!
Cheers
Jim
Sully
Jim,
Wow that’s incredible! And all in tournaments too, what a time to have them. Certainly well ahead of the rest of us!
-Sully
Golf is Mental
Sully,
I have yet to get a hole in one! Been patiently waiting for 32 years. My wife has one, and I witnessed it. It was 3 days after we got married down in California. Good way to start the honeymoon!
Cheers
Josh
Sully
Josh,
Wow that is an awesome way to start a honeymoon! Well, sounds like you’re halfway there at least!
Stuart Taylor
Reblogged this on and commented:
Have you ever wondered what are the chances of getting a hole-in-one …… read this to find out the hard truth.
Tiger Golf Traveler
188 yards, slightly downhill, cold, 3-iron. Hit one foot behind the hole and one-hopped in. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it. Been playing since 9, now 31, did this at 19. Looking for another!
Sully
Impressive, and especially with a 3-iron, that’s not the easiest club to hit! Well if you got your first one in only 10 years you’ll have lots of time to work on that second one!
-Sully
Jeff Miller
Just had my first hole in one today! 160 yard 7 iron, one hop and in. I’m 61 and have been playing since my late 30s it’s a great feeling to finally join the club!
Sully
Jeff!
That’s awesome to hear, welcome to one of golf’s most exclusive clubs! I’ve been close this year but still no luck with my first hole in one, hopefully someday soon. Congrats again on the hole-in-one!
Jeff Miller
Thanks Sully!
Keep hitting it I’m here to tell you it will happen!
Jeff
Frank Cellura
Had a beautiful 145 yard hole in one from elevated tee across ravine to raised but lower green. Ball rolled smooth for 40 feet. One big big caveat. First shot went in ravine and I chose to replay third from green. Officially a hike in three
Sully
Wow congratulations! Regardless of whether it was your first or third shot that sounds like a great story – hopefully you still grabbed a round of drinks for your playing partners after!
Greg
In high school a teammate hit what looked like a terrible tee shot, He was cussing up a storm, it was a line drive with a hybrid and we were all trying to help him find the ball in the pine trees behind the green. The coach showed up, walked on the green, looked in the hole, and there it was. That moment convinced me a hole in one is all about luck.
Sully
A bit of luck certainly helps (especially in this case!) – congrats to your teammate!
Thomas John Fuessel
I’m 81, Never had a hole in one, 1ft away was closest, never actually seen either, group in front of me had one, my partners all saw it, I was getting club from bag when it happened.
Still golfing, hoping just to be able to hit green let alone a hole in one.
Sully
Only takes one day and one shot! I’ve been very close multiple times also… best of luck golfing!