Golf Games: How to Commemorate a Hole-in-One

Shawn Golf Articles

Whether you are a seasoned player or new to the game, everyone understands what a hole-in-one is, though the ability to achieve it will depend on how skilled the golfer is. Realistically, the odds of getting a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole is just one in 12,500 – or 0.008%. When you manage to beat those odds, the achievement is worth celebrating.

Everyone handles this moment differently, depending on their level of professionalism. If you play for the fun of the game, rather than the professional level, you need to know the etiquette around this major triumph, along with the best way to commemorate it yourself.

Outward Victory in the Moment

When the ball goes straight into the hole, it is easy to get excited. However, what you want to avoid at this point is losing control. While a jump, fist pump, or even a holler is considered socially acceptable, avoid becoming obnoxious or celebrating for too long. If time allows, capture this moment with a picture or a video for a reminder later on.

As a token of the exciting event, golfers customarily take the ball out and keep it in a bag or their pocket as a souvenir from the moment. Some rookies make the mistake of leaving the ball or continuing gameplay with the same ball. While this isn’t against the rules, it may be considered a golfing faux pas. Luckily, whether or not you remember the ball, the chance to get a hole-in-one trophy later on is still there.

Once you get the chance to enjoy the moment in the middle of the game, keep focused. Even though the excitement of achieving this unlikely feat is overwhelming, maintain the same strength with each hole. This attention is especially important earlier in the game, because the hole-in-one is only official after the ninth hole. Once the entire game is over, it’s time to celebrate with everyone.

Receiving Recognition

Whenever you accomplish the elusive hole-in-one, there are many websites and organizations that want to know. Sometimes, the local newspapers report on professional games, though it depends on the popularity of the sport in the area. If they report on it, the courses enjoy the publicity, as it brings more people to the club and more revenue for the owners.

Even if you don’t receive public recognition, buying a hole-in-one trophy and a frame for the pictures you took makes the moment feel more celebrated. Choose to engrave both the trophy and the frame, if possible, allowing your fellow golfers to sign it in remembrance of the moment they witnessed. Arrange it somewhere you can admire it with your club, at the office, or at home with the ball from the game.

Celebrating After the Full Game

Social and professional traditions say that the person who gets a hole-in-one buys a round of drinks for the other players at the game. Depending on the group, it is easy to spend a ton of money. Luckily, if you play at a private club, the dues often include an insurance that helps the player cover the cost of the celebration. The insurance varies by the club, with some clubs only requiring a one-time fee.

If you golf as a guest at a club, you have to cover your own round of victory drinks, since your host’s insurance policy isn’t extended to you. There are many players that avoid a hole-in-one at new clubs for exactly this reason, though you still receive appreciation for any rounds you contribute to. The choice is yours, depending on your wallet and your love for a challenge.