
To count a true hole-in-one the ball is hit from the tee into the cup and stays there. (The last bit might seem a tad pedantic, but I know of one chap who hit the ball into the hole on the full, but it bounced out and rolled into a greenside lake.) A hole-in-one is also known, albeit less commonly, as an ace.
What is holed/1 in golf?
Holed/1, part of the Definitions section of the Rules (far deeper within) provides a contradictory account: Holed/1 – All of the Ball Must Be Below the Surface to Be Holed When Embedded in Side of Hole When a ball is embedded in the side of the hole, and all of the ball is not below the surface of the putting green, the ball is not holed.
Can a golf ball be embedded in the side of the hole?
“When dealing with a ball embedded in the side of the hole, we are only concerned with the entire ball being below the surface of the green, even is part of the ball is outside the circumference of the hole,” he wrote in an email. “If the entire ball is below the surface, the ball is holed.
What are the rules of a hole in one in golf?
Beyond the USGA rules, there are traditions that are followed by many golfers concerning a hole in one. The ball involved should not be used again. This ensures it won't be lost and that the last shot struck with it will have led to a hole in one. You then have the option of having the ball used in a display or trophy marking the occasion.
Is a hole in one a valid golf shot?
The Rules of Golf do not address the issue of the validity of a hole in one. The USGA recommends that a hole in one be considered valid: If made during a round of at least nine holes, except that a hole in one made during a match should be acceptable even if the match ends before the stipulated round is completed.

What classifies a hole-in-one?
In golf, a hole in one or hole-in-one (also known as an ace, mostly in American English) occurs when a ball hit from a tee to start a hole finishes in the cup. A ball hit from a tee following a lost ball, out-of-bounds, or water hazard is not a hole-in-one due to the application of a stroke penalty.
Do you get a certificate for a hole-in-one?
The Premier Worldwide Hole-In-One Golf Registry After registering your achievement, you will see a preview of your official National Hole-In-One Certificate. You will then have the option to purchase this certificate, which is printed on high quality 65 lb.
What should I do if I get a hole-in-one?
Keep the ball Some golfers claim that the hole in one ball is their lucky ball; others say all the luck has been used so you may as well toss it into the woods. Ultimately, it's up to you. Most people keep the hole in one ball, simply because it is a great way to remember the shot.
Do you need a witness for a hole-in-one?
Attest and Witness Required If you complete nine or 18 holes but play alone with no partners, you cannot make a recognized hole-in-one. You become similar to the solitary fisherman who hooks the biggest fish on the planet, but no one is there to see it. Someone must be with you to attest to witnessing your hole-in-one.
How does hole in one insurance work?
Hole in one insurance, which is a type of prize indemnification insurance, works just like any other kind of insurance policy, except that instead of insuring your property against damage, you are paying a premium to eliminate the risk of having to pay for a prize if someone makes a hole in one during your golf event.
Why do you have to buy drinks after a hole in one?
Buying drinks after a hole-in-one is the golfer's way of repaying it to the golf gods. The final theory about this hole in one tradition is that it keeps golfers honest during the round and may prevent them from lying about their historic shot.
How do you mark a hole in one on the scorecard?
Draw a circle around the score to indicate a birdie, or a double circle to indicate an eagle, unless you score a hole-in-one, which is represented by a triangle.
Who pays when you get a hole in one?
Many private clubs carry hole-in-one insurance. Some even include it in their membership dues. It covers the cost of a lot of Ketel One. What's more, if you're playing as a guest, the club might not accept your money, anyway.
Who pays for drinks after a hole in one?
The concept of hole in one insurance may baffle the uninitiated, but to many it is a wise precaution as golf tradition holds that anyone who scores a hole in one should buy drinks back at the clubhouse for his playing group — if not everyone present.
Is it a hole-in-one if you hit the flag?
The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a(2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.” Players will still have the option to remove the flagstick or to have someone tend the pin and remove it after the ball is struck.
Does a hole-in-one from a temporary tee count?
The organization recommends a hole-in-one made at a hole with a temporary tee — or even a temporary putting green — to be valid, even if the committee didn't specifically define the teeing ground with tee markers. (The USGA does suggest that the length of the hole at the time should be stated on the certificate.
Does a hole in 1 on a par 3 course count?
Sad, but true. Let's say you're playing a par 3, shank one into the water, drop a sneaky mulligan down with the consent of your playing partners, and knock it in the hole. A fun story, no doubt, but it doesn't count as a hole-in-one.
What constitutes a hole in one?
What constitutes a valid hole in one? The Rules of Golf do not address the issue of the validity of a hole in one. The USGA recommends that a hole in one be considered valid: If made during a round of at least nine holes, except that a hole in one made during a match should be acceptable even if the match ends before the stipulated round is ...
How often do you score a hole in one?
A hole in one is scored once every 3,500 golf rounds. Odds of making a hole in one is 1:3500. Only 1-2% of golfers score a hole in one during the year. Average years of playing is 24. Average handicap of golfers making hole in one is 14.
What age group makes the most holes in one?
Age group that makes the most holes in one is 50-59 (25%) and the next highiest is 40-49 (24%) Ball used most often is Titleist (45%), Nike (14%), and Top Flite (11%) A Hole in One on a par four is called an Albatross. Facts just for women. 16% of holes in one are made by women.
Do you have to state the length of the hole on a putting green?
If made at a hole with a temporary tee and/or putting green in use, even if the Committee did not specifically define the teeing ground with tee-markers; the length of the hole at the time should be stated on any certificate
What counts as a true hole in hole?
To count as a true hole-in-hole a couple of criteria have to apply. The first is that you are not alone; you can be playing alone, but someone has to be there marking your card to testify to your feat. The second is that it is part of a formal round of golf, not just part of a few practice holes.
What happens when you get a hole in one?
A hole- in-one occurs when the ball is hit from the tee into the cup and stays there.
What does it mean to buy a drink after a hole in golf?
Golfing tradition dictates that any golfer who makes a hole in one buys the drinks afterwards. Who he buys for can vary upon whatever local tradition exists as the club. The most widespread one is that the golfer buys a drink for his playing partners after the round and also a drink for everyone else in the clubhouse or bar when he returns.
Does insurance cover hole in one?
Some insurance companies offer hole-in-one insurance whereby the maker of a hole-in-one gets a stated pay out by the company. Often this is bundled in as part of a more general golf accident insurance policy.
Is it expensive to hol out from the tee?
There is a long-standing tradition associated with holing out from the tee which can make it a costly achievement depending upon the venue.
What is the Holy Grail of golf?
Overview. A hole in one is the Holy Grail for many golfers, with just one in their life being cause for great celebration and a sense of accomplishment.
What is the meaning of "holing out from the tee"?
By Robert Preston. Hitting your ball in the hole off the tee is an achievement every golfer dreams about but few actually experience. A hole in one is the Holy Grail for many golfers, with just one in their life being cause for great celebration and a sense of accomplishment. After holing out from the tee box, there are rules a player should keep ...
Can you use a hole in one golf ball again?
Beyond the USGA rules, there are traditions that are followed by many golfers concerning a hole in one. The ball involved should not be used again. This ensures it won't be lost and that the last shot struck with it will have led to a hole in one. You then have the option of having the ball used in a display or trophy marking the occasion.
Can you hole a second golf ball?
It is not impossible to hole a second ball and have it count as a hole in one. If you take a swing out of turn in a match play pairing, your opponent has the option to cancel the shot and have you hit again when it is your turn. If this second ball is holed, it's a hole in one. If your original tee ball strikes an unnatural obstacle, like a power line, local rules can dictate a free replay. You can also score an ace with your second tee shot if your first strikes a cart path and breaks into multiple pieces.
Can you score an ace on a second tee shot?
If your original tee ball strikes an unnatural obstacle, like a power line, local rules can dictate a free replay. You can also score an ace with your second tee shot if your first strikes a cart path and breaks into multiple pieces.
What does a hole shot look like?
On the one hand, we know what a holed shot looks like: the ball is resting in the bottom of the hole. On the other hand, this ball is very definitely in the confines of the cup — only grass and gravity are keeping it from settling happily at the bottom. It should go in.
Who is the USGA's senior director of the rules of golf?
We enlisted the help of Thomas Pagel, the USGA’s Senior Director of the Rules of Golf, to sort through it. The answer, he said, is simpler than you might think.
Where does the ball have to be to be drilled?
Holed/1 – All of the Ball Must Be Below the Surface to Be Holed When Embedded in Side of Hole
Is a golf ball considered a hole?
If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed even if the entire ball is not below the surface.
How many shots are in a hole in one?
It’s a 12,500-1 shot and a feat some players will never get to celebrate. So, imagine, you’ve done the improbable – you’ve made a hole-in-one – and the rules police strike up.
Is a hole in one rare?
I want to say this is the golfing equivalent of a no-ball wicket – but a hole-in-one is much rarer so it’s got to be far more agonising.
Is a ball played outside the teeing area in play?
The ball played from outside the teeing area is not in play and Rule 6.1b (2) reveals “that stroke and any more strokes before the mistake is corrected (including strokes made and penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count.
Can you play a ball from outside the teeing area?
For you see, in match play there is no penalty for playing a ball from outside the teeing area, but the opponent may cancel the stroke. “If the opponent cancels the stroke, the player must play a ball from inside the teeing area and it is still his or her turn to play.”. But….
Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.
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HoffTTM
You just write a 1 and don't bother with this TV nonsense of circling/squaring. The scorecard will just end up looking like some random kindergarten fingerpainting.
kingofcola
ya but I'm just curious what the proper answer is for scorecards. I've read it's a triangle but not from a legit source.
