hole in one

A golf ball next to the hole

In golf, a hole in one or hole-in-one (also known as an ace, mostly in American English) is when a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the cup with one shot. This is normally only possible on a par 3 hole. Longer hitters have accomplished this feat on shorter par 4 holes. Nearly all par 4 and par 5 holes are too long for golfers to reach in a single shot.

Holes in one are extremely rare, and while it depends largely on the golfer's skill, many instances have been recorded when a ball has bounced off a tree, a bird in flight, or even a passing car, before settling into the hole. Amateur players who make a hole-in-one in a friendly game will usually be mentioned in the local newspaper's sports section, provided there was at least one witness. In addition, it is customary at many clubs for the golfer to celebrate the feat by purchasing a round of drinks for fellow club patrons.

Occasionally special events host a hole-in-one contest, where prizes as expensive as a new car, or cash awards sometimes reaching $4 million are offered if a contestant records a hole-in-one.^[1] Usually such expensive prizes are backed by an insurance company who offers prize indemnification services. Actuaries at such companies have calculated the chance of an average golfer making a hole in one at approximately 12,500 to 1, and the odds of a tour professional at 2,500 to 1.^[2]

The ultimate example of a hole-in-one prize, a $1m shoot-out, is an increasingly common occurence at golf events, usually underwritten by a specialist prize insurer. Such prizes have even been won as this video of $1m hole-in-one winner shows ([1]).

See also

• Golf glossary

References

1. ^ "Hole-in-one insurance policies provide safety net for glitzy tournament contests". http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2006/02/27/focus2.html. Retrieved on 2006-05-26. 
2. ^ "What Are The Odds of Making a Hole In One?". US Hole In One. http://www.holeinoneinsurance.com/hole-in-one-odds.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 

External links

• The official hole-in-one registry of the United States. United States Golf Register
• Hole-In-One FAQs United States Golf Association

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