What Is a Hole in One?
A hole in one is when your very first shot on a hole, the tee shot, finishes in the cup. It's also called an ace, and your score for that hole is 1.
It's the rarest and most celebrated shot most golfers will ever see. Plenty of keen players go a lifetime without one.
How a hole in one is scored
A hole in one always counts as one stroke. What it means against par depends on the hole:
| Hole | Ace score | Against par | Also called |
|---|---|---|---|
| Par 3 | 1 | 2 under | Eagle |
| Par 4 | 1 | 3 under | Albatross |
| Par 5 | 1 | 4 under | Condor |
So on a par 3 an ace is technically an eagle, but nobody calls it that. "Hole in one" is the name everyone uses. Aces on a par 4 are very rare and only happen on short holes, and an ace on a par 5 is so rare it has its own article: what is a condor in golf?
Where holes in one happen
Almost all aces come on par 3s, because they're the only holes where a normal tee shot is meant to reach the green. Short par 3s with a large green see more than long ones over water.
The shot that goes in is rarely struck at the hole on the full. Usually the ball lands short, bounces once or twice and rolls in. On a sloping green, it might pitch past the hole and spin back.
What counts and what doesn't
For an ace to count in a proper round, a few things need to be true:
- It must be your first stroke on that hole in a real round, not a second ball or a practice shot.
- The ball must be holed, resting in the cup below the surface. Balls that lip out or stop on the edge don't count.
- Someone should see it. Clubs usually want a witness, especially if a prize or a plaque is involved.
If your first tee shot goes out of bounds and the second ball from the tee goes in, that isn't a hole in one. With the stroke and the penalty, you've holed out in 3.
Hole in one traditions
- Buying the drinks. In many clubs, especially in Britain, the player who makes an ace is expected to buy a round for everyone in the clubhouse.
- Hole in one insurance. Because of that tradition and big competition prizes, you can buy insurance to cover the cost.
- Keeping the ball. Most players keep the ball, often mounted with the date, hole and club.
Why aces are so rare
A hole in one needs a good shot plus luck. The hole is only 4.25 inches wide, and even a perfect strike has to bounce and roll exactly right. Professionals make more than amateurs because they hit the green far more often and play many more rounds, but even tour players can go seasons without one. We look at the numbers in hole in one odds.
A short history
The earliest famous ace in championship golf is credited to Young Tom Morris at the Open Championship in 1868, at Prestwick. Since then, aces have become one of golf's great stories, and you can read about some of the best in famous holes in one.
Holes in one in Mashy
In Mashy, only a putt can drop. A tee shot that reaches the cup will lip out, so there are no holes in one. On a par 3, the best realistic score is a birdie 2: land your tee shot on the green and hole the putt. If you want the feeling of firing at the flag, try Closest to the pin mode, where you get one tee shot on each par 3 and the shortest total distance wins.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hole in one the same as an ace?
Yes, ace is just another name for a hole in one. Both mean that your tee shot went straight into the hole, giving you a score of 1 on that hole. Golfers use the two words interchangeably, on the course and in the clubhouse.
Is a hole in one an eagle?
On a par 3, a hole in one is two under par, which technically makes it an eagle. On a par 4 it's an albatross, three under, and on a par 5 it's a condor, four under. In everyday golf, everyone simply calls it a hole in one.
Do you have to buy drinks after a hole in one?
It's a tradition rather than a rule. In many clubs, particularly in Britain and Ireland, the player who makes an ace buys a drink for everyone in the clubhouse. Some golfers take out hole in one insurance to cover the cost.
Can you get a hole in one on a par 4?
Yes, but it's very rare. It only happens on short par 4s where a long hitter can reach the green from the tee. A hole in one on a par 4 is three under par, which is called an albatross or double eagle.
Does a hole in one count if nobody sees it?
Under the Rules of Golf, your score counts whether or not anyone watched. But clubs, competitions and hole in one registries usually ask for a witness before they recognise an ace or award a prize, so it helps to have a playing partner nearby.