For many golfers, hitting a hole in one is a lifelong goal. Though often talked about amongst golfers, from the professional to the beginner, a hole in one is actually quite rare. Golfers may wonder about their odds of hitting a hole in one.
Expert Insight
In 2000, Golf Digest hired Francis Scheid to determine the odds of making a hole in one. Scheid broke the odds down based on the quality of the player and the amount of play. He said that the odds of a PGA tour player making a hole in one were 3000 to one. His data showed a low handicap player to have 5,000 to one odds, while an average handicap player had 12,000 to one odds. His study also showed that if you had a low handicap and played 1,000 rounds of golf then you had a five to one chance of making a hole in one. Statistically, then if the same player plays 5,000 rounds of golf, the odds increase to one to one.
Facts
For a hole in one to be official, a person other than the player must witness the shot. The player must also be playing only one ball during the round that he shot the hole in one. In addition, the player must be playing a round of at least nine holes when he shot the hole-in-one.
Considerations
Because there isn't a single organization charged with collecting the data, it is almost impossible to calculate the odds with complete accuracy. In addition, not all holes in one are reported and some holes in one that are reported did not actually occur.
Misconceptions
Golfers often believe that the USGA maintains a list of holes in one. In fact, the USGA does maintain a registry, and local golf associations often keep a list. The United States Golf Register has a website where individual golfers can register holes in one. Golf clubs also typically keep a record of all holes in one made on their course.
History
Mancil Davis is often called the "King of Aces" and is regarded as the professional record holder for most holes in one. Tiger Woods shot his first hole in one at age six. In April 2007, Elsie McLean, at age 102, became the oldest person on record to get a hole in one. She made the historic shot at Bidwell Park.
Significance
To a player, hitting a hole in one is a significant event and often results in buying the clubhouse a round of drinks—an expensive tradition for which many private golf club members carry insurance. The odds of hitting a hole in one are significant because it reflects what a unique accomplishment it is. Because large prizes such as automobiles are often used a prizes for a hole in one during a tournament, the odds can also take a practical significance for tournament organizers.
Resources
- — USA Golf Register
- — USGA hole in one FAQ
