What is a hole-in-one?

Shawn Golf Articles

First of all, a hole-in-one or an “ace” is when a ball hit from a tee finishes in the cup. Hole-in-one usually occurs in par 3 holes. Par is the main component of stroke play and also the most played move in professional golf tournaments.

Background and history 

Golf came about since the time of Julius Caesar but it isn’t exactly the same sport we know today as back in those times golf was played by striking a feather-stuffed ball with club-shaped tree branches, however, the roots of modern-day golf can be traced back to Scotland in 1457. Hole-in-one had the first known ace by the young Tom Morris on September 16, 1869. Over the years from many hole-in-one plays, the main highlight has been of Gene Sarazen, who at the age of 71 performed a hole-in-one in the 1973 British Open. Another remarkable feat is achieved coming from Tennessee from a man named Earl Deitering who is also recorded to be the oldest man that performed the hole-in-one, TWICE!!! In one round.

This brief overview shows us how the sport was also dominated by not just youngsters but also the elderly. However despite the toughness to score a hole-in-one, there have been 6 in the Ryder Cup matches between years 1973 to 2006 starring Peter Butler, Nick Faldo, Costantino Rocca, Howard Clark, Paul Casey and Scott Verplank. The first ever hole-in-one in Olympic history was recent, which on August 11, 2016, was shot by Justin Rose in the Golf tournament of the 2016 summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro. Over the years the prizes have ranged from cash to brand new cars and cash prizes going all the way to as much as 4 million cash and for safety purposes, these expensive prizes are backed by an insurance company.

Also according to recent researchers, there have been myths about North Korea’s great leader Kim Jong that say that he had scored 5 hole-in-one “in his first attempt” in another North Korean media that once reported that Kim Jong had scored 18 hole-in-one.

Proven wrong, however, NK News reports that according to informal surveys which revealed that no one in Pyongyang was aware of this legendary feat. And according to a British Journalist who played at the club asked the officials who said it was only a myth. All these events show how the sport of golf has had dramatic changes over the years and how many, including great leaders, have tried to mislead people to glorify themselves. Most hole-in-one golf trophy award plaques are usually golf ball engraved with the size of the plaque is 7×9 cherry wood color. 

Conclusion

We see how golf has evolved over the centuries. And how hole-in-one became not only the major but also the most common play in golf. And from many players experience, hole-in-one is just as much about luck or more than it is about skill. But with great risk come great experiences and greater rewards and golf is one of those sport which requires a lot of patience and skills and above all a bit of luck. Currently as of this year 2018 Charley Hoffman has been the highlight of the masters with the first hole-in-one of the tournament and Patrick Reed wins the green jacket.