There is nothing in golf quite like it. You strike the ball on a par 3, it flies towards the flag, bounces once or twice and disappears into the hole. A hole in one, also called an ace, is the shot every golfer dreams of. Some golfers make several in a lifetime; many never make one at all. Here is everything you need to know about the most celebrated shot in golf: the odds, the rules, the traditions and how to give yourself a better chance.
What counts as a hole in one?
A hole in one is recorded when your first stroke on a hole finishes in the hole. For it to be recognised:
- It must happen during a round of golf, not on a practice ground, and not with a second or provisional ball. A provisional ball, or a ball played again after a penalty, is not your first stroke.
- It is usually expected to be witnessed by a playing partner or someone else on the course, especially for club records, competition prizes and official registries.
- It can be on any hole. Most aces are on par 3s, but long hitters occasionally hole their tee shot on a short par 4. A hole in one on a par 4 is also an albatross (three under par), one of the rarest scores in golf.
For more on scoring terms, read how golf scoring works and golf terms every golfer should know.
What are the odds?
Exact odds are impossible to calculate, because they depend on the golfer, the hole length and how often they play. These widely quoted estimates give an idea:
| Golfer | Estimated odds on a par 3 |
|---|---|
| Average amateur | Around 12,000 to 1 |
| Low-handicap amateur | Around 5,000 to 1 |
| Tour professional | Around 2,500 to 1 |
The numbers are big, but golfers play many par 3s. A golfer who plays regularly for decades has a realistic chance of making at least one, and some make several. Shorter holes, flatter greens and a pin in the middle of the green all improve the odds. Luck plays a big part: aces have been made with thinned shots that ran along the ground and skipped into the hole.
The traditions
Drinks for the house
In many golf clubs, it is a tradition that the golfer who makes a hole in one buys a drink for everyone in the clubhouse, or for their playing partners at the very least. At a busy club on a competition day, that can be expensive. Customs vary widely by country and club, so ask what is expected at yours.
Hole-in-one insurance
In some countries, golfers can buy inexpensive insurance, sometimes through their club or as part of their membership, to cover the cost of the celebration. Read the conditions: policies usually require a witness, and some only cover competition rounds.
Keepsakes
Many golfers keep the ball, often mounted on a plaque or display with the date, hole and club. Clubs may present a certificate, a tie or a pin badge, and the golfer's name may go on an honours board. A hole-in-one display makes a great present; read gift ideas for golfers.
Hole-in-one contests
Charity golf days and corporate events often include a hole-in-one challenge on a par 3, with a big prize such as a car or cash for an ace. Organisers usually buy prize indemnity insurance to cover the prize, since paying it out themselves could be costly. Insurers set conditions, such as a minimum hole length, an independent witness and the number of players. If you are organising an event, read how to organise a golf day.
Nearest-the-pin contests on par 3s offer a more realistic prize for everyone, and are a popular addition to any golf day.
What to do when you make one
- Celebrate. It is one of the best moments you will have on a golf course.
- Make sure your playing partners saw it, and ask them to sign your scorecard.
- Retrieve the ball from the hole without damaging the hole or the green.
- Tell the club or the course staff. Many clubs record aces and present certificates.
- Check the local custom about drinks in the clubhouse.
- Record the details: date, course, hole, distance, club and witnesses.
- Keep playing. Plenty of golfers have made an ace and then fallen apart on the next hole. Take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of the round.
If the round is acceptable for handicap purposes, your ace counts in your score like any other; read the World Handicap System explained.
How to improve your chances
You cannot make a hole in one, but you can make one more likely.
- Hit more greens. Every ace starts as a shot that finds the green. The more often your tee shots land on the green, the more often one will drop.
- Take enough club. Most amateurs come up short on par 3s. Choose the club that carries the ball to the flag, not the one that gets there with your best strike. Track your distances with our club distance chart.
- Aim at the centre of the green unless the pin is in the middle. Shots that finish close usually come from solid strikes towards the middle, not from aiming at tucked pins.
- Use a consistent pre-shot routine. Read the mental game of golf.
- Practise your iron play and contact; read how to hit the ball solidly and how to choose the right club for every shot.
- Play more par 3s. Short courses and par-3 courses give you many more chances per round.
Hole-in-one etiquette
- Celebrate, but keep things moving if there is a group waiting behind.
- Be gracious when a playing partner makes one: be the first to congratulate them.
- Don't forget the witness. Your playing partners will remember the moment as much as you will.
Read golf etiquette 101.
Frequently asked questions
What are the odds of a hole in one?
Commonly quoted estimates are about 12,000 to 1 for an average amateur on a par 3, and about 2,500 to 1 for a tour professional, but the true odds depend on the golfer and the hole.
Does a hole in one count if I am playing alone?
You made it, so you will always know. But for club records, competition prizes and insurance, a witness is usually required. Read playing golf alone.
Is a hole in one on a par 4 possible?
Yes, on short par 4s for long hitters. It is also an albatross (three under par) and is extremely rare.
Do I really have to buy everyone a drink?
It is a tradition in many clubs, not a rule. Customs vary, so check what is expected at your club, and consider hole-in-one insurance if it is available.
Does a hole in one in a scramble count?
It counts as the team's score, and the golfer who hit the shot can celebrate it, but many clubs only record individual aces made with your own ball in a normal round. Read golf formats and games explained.
The bottom line
A hole in one is rare, a little lucky and completely unforgettable. Make sure it is witnessed, tell the club, keep the ball, honour the clubhouse tradition if there is one, and then finish your round. To give yourself the best chance, take enough club, aim for the heart of the green and play as many par 3s as you can. One day, the ball might just drop.