So When Does it Count as a “Real” Hole-In-One?
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So When Does it Count as a “Real” Hole-In-One?

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So When Does it Count as a “Real” Hole-In-One?

I am a traditionalist with some areas of the game, but I just can’t get behind this sentiment of strict hole-in-one gatekeeping.

There is nothing in golf more elusive and special than an ace. It’s sometimes a measure of skill and often a measure of luck. I’ve never had one but my uncle who barely plays skulled one across the lake—watching it skip on the water multiple times—before it somehow trundled into the hole.

The ace is golf’s most equal-access accomplishment. Anyone can do it.

And here’s the thing: Any hole-in-one is remarkable. If a top pro could stand on the same hole with 500 balls and not make an ace, then it must be incredibly difficult. If you get one, I can only imagine it’s the most euphoric moment a recreational golfer can have.

That’s why I’m more than a little irritated at the endless number of “disqualifiers” the golf world has compiled for situations where a hole-in-one is no longer legitimate. This game is supposed to be fun, rewarding and welcoming—can’t we loosen up a little bit on some of these unwritten rules?

Yes, there should be some qualifiers. If you take a mulligan, for instance, that wipes out the gravitas of the moment. You literally did not get a hole-in-one; you took an extra swing.

However, there are far more egregious situations where golfers contend hole-in-ones aren’t “real” aces.

Here are five scenarios that should count as legitimate holes-in-one. In my book, you can go around and tell everyone you got a hole-in-one without any shame.

After those five, I’ll explain five scenarios that still should not count as legitimate aces.

1. When you aren’t playing a formal round

Traditionalists say all holes-in-one must be part of a nine- or 18-hole round where all holes are completed according to the Rules of Golf.

If you play six holes and then quit, many golfers contend you can’t claim an ace within those six holes. If you hit a breakfast ball off the first tee and then make a hole-in-one eight holes later, apparently that disqualifies an ace. If you don’t keep score or have picked up on certain holes, that is also not good enough.

This is pure rubbish.

What happens on other holes shouldn’t matter—it’s about the one swing on the one hole. We are in a new era where a lot of golfers don’t have time to spend more than a couple hours on the course. We’re going to punish these people by saying their ace is “less than” because they didn’t have enough time?

Come on.

2. When you play (certain) par-3 courses

I’m probably in the minority here but I think we should be more lenient about aces on par-3 courses.

Let me explain.

If you go out to a pitch ‘n’ putt with 50-yard holes, that is a little too extreme for me to say you made a legitimate hole-in-one. There are no flip-wedge par-3s like that on a regulation course. It feels a little disingenuous to claim that ace when you can practically smash a putt onto the green from the tee.

However, a regulation-length par-3 course is fair game in my book. If you take out your 8-iron on a 160-yard hole and it goes in, I’m definitely not holding that against you just because you are on a par-3 course.

If it happened on a regulation course, we would celebrate it. Let’s do the same on a par-3 course. I’m also going to extend this to any “bonus holes” (also known as tiebreaker or gambling holes) on regulation courses.

Where is the cut-off, you ask? I think it largely depends on skill. For a better player, I think it has to at least be a full wedge. For juniors, women, seniors and others, there is definitely a case for “real” aces being made inside of 100 yards.

3. When you play in a scramble or other multi-player formats

Well, you know my feelings about scrambles after last week’s column.

Traditionally, scrambles or other formats of the game have been disqualified from “real ace” contention because they are not an official, formal round of golf.

Part of the contention is that your strategy could change depending on format. Perhaps in a scramble, a player has seen everyone else hit it close and now is willing to be more aggressive than normal. Instead of hitting to the fat of the green, the golfer is pin hunting.

I don’t think it should matter. If you hit the ball in the hole with one swing, it counts. This isn’t mini-golf with a funnel. You still hit the shot.

4. When you play on your own without a witness

If you’re willing to lie about making a hole-in-one while playing on your own, you have a lot bigger issues than anything that happens on the course.

I trust people who go out for an emergency nine on their own and end up with an ace. Sure, there is no video. Sure, we can never know with 100 percent certainty that it was a hole-in-one.

At the same time, that is no reason to wipe an ace off the board. If it goes in the hole, witness or not, that counts every bit as much as someone playing with three of their buddies.

5. When you use borrowed gear or other unusual conditions

There are some letter-of-the-law golfers who want to disqualify an ace based on technical rules infractions.

For instance, if you make an ace when trying out your friend’s 7-iron for one shot. Or if you are playing the blue tees for the whole round and accidentally (or intentionally) play from the whites on that hole.

These are ridiculous methods of disqualification in my opinion.

If we’re talking about tournament golf and a player is penalized (or actually disqualified from the tournament) based on an error like this, then I still say the ace “counts” in the broader sense.

So what should not count as an ace?

We have to draw the line somewhere, right? If you call anything an ace, then that devalues the accomplishment of everyone else.

Here are five scenarios that should not count.

1. When you replay the shot in any way

I mentioned this one before but it’s pretty self-explanatory. If your ace involved taking a mulligan, penalty shot or multiple efforts (like in practice), that does not count.

The whole point of a hole-in-one is to make it … in one try.

2. When you play a hole with a temporary green

This is a tough one. I think there might be some room for interpretation here. If you happen to be playing a really nice course with beautiful temporary greens, that is a lot different than hitting to a hole that probably isn’t cut correctly, surrounded by shaggy grass.

Most temporary greens are basically fairway grass. The ball is going to react differently when it hits. Not to mention that the hole is usually a lot shorter than normal.

I can’t even remember the last time I played on a temporary green so this doesn’t come up a ton. I think it’s ultimately a feel thing. You would know if it feels wrong.

3. When you are playing on a simulator

There have been some high-profile personalities going viral for making a hole-in-one on a simulator.

I’m going to keep an open mind on this one for the future but I don’t think a simulator ace is legitimate. I think the hole-in-one should be on an actual golf course where conditions like temperature and wind have an impact. Also, simulators can’t be assumed to be perfect. Glitches happen.

This is an interesting one, though. I can see this slowly changing over time to where simulator golf is more accepted as “real golf”—which could change the calculus on how we view simulator aces.

4. When you use an illegal club/equipment

This is another weird one given how rules are scheduled to change in a few years.

If someone makes an ace with a non-rollback ball, will that still count? I would say yes.

But for the moment, I think making an ace with non-conforming equipment should come with an asterisk. I’m thinking about, for example, altering the club face to influence speed or accuracy.

5. When you make an ace but it’s the wrong hole

I’m thinking about double greens or unusual circumstances where a player mistakenly hits toward the wrong hole.

If it goes in, that’s a hilarious story. It’s kind of a hole-in-one … but not an actual hole-in-one.

What else should be on this list? Do you agree or disagree with the qualifiers I have?

Let me know below in the comments.

Top Photo Caption: Not all aces count the same, but should they? (GETTY IMAGES/Joosep Martinson)

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Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm

Sean is a longtime golf journalist and underachieving 8 handicap who enjoys the game in all forms. If he didn't have an official career writing about golf, Sean would spend most of his free time writing about it anyway. When he isn't playing golf, you can find Sean watching his beloved Florida Panthers hockey team, traveling to a national park or listening to music on his record player. He lives in Nashville with his wife and dog (of course the dog's name is Hogan).

Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm

Sean Fairholm





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      StarvinMarvin

      4 days ago

      What about no witness? Golf is supposed to be a game of integrity – and anyone who would lie about it will get what’s coming to them in the long run. If there is no ‘prize’ – then it should count.

      Reply

      Peter King

      3 months ago

      I wish!

      For some reason, Par 3’s mess with my head, so very rarely do I score anything on them at all.
      For me, just landing on the green is a HUGE WIN for me, so I count that for bragging rights with my partners.

      They all laugh / congratulate me for landing on the green, so thats good.

      Reply

      Dan manly

      3 months ago

      I have had 7, my fifth was 230 yards in s scramble in a tournament, i still count that one, I don’t care what anyone says

      Reply

      George

      3 months ago

      I agree with all your points. I’ve made a hole-in-one playing an 18 hole round by myself. I know I made it, I know it was legit, so what anyone else thinks is irrelevant to me. I’ve also made one after hitting the first one in the water, that clearly isn’t a hole-in-one and I’ve never considered it as one. It was a good story (or at least it was until I got my first HIO) for when anyone would ask “Have you ever had a hole-in-one?”.

      Reply

      Brian Foster

      3 months ago

      Oshawa airport golf. 3rd hole 167yds. Took 5wood. Got to green couldn’t find my ball. There was one at the front of the green that was not mine. A Marshall came round and we had a chat . He said well you lose one and find one so I chipped it in to the hole and when I went to pick it out my original ball was in the hole. Couldn’t believe it,never thought of looking in the hole

      Reply

      Tony P

      3 months ago

      I aced a par 4, over 300 yards, with a temp green….I count this as an ace.

      Reply

      Forrest

      3 months ago

      I once had a hole in one on one of our practice holes. Doesn’t count. I’ve had 2 legitimate since then. My wife was playing a par 3 and caught her tee shot just a touch thin. Ball hits just in front of the green, pops up and trickles in. To this day, I give her crap about that!

      Reply

      John F.

      3 months ago

      I’d like to introduce you to a 1,2,3,4. On the course where I scored a hole-in-one, there were 4 par 3’s. Yes, I had a hole-in-one on one of the par 3’s, a birdie on one of them, a par on another, and a bogie on one of them. I didn’t realize that I had a 1,2,3,4 until one of my playing partners (not a regular, just got paired up with her), pointed it out to me. You can brag about your hole-in-one if you want, but who’s scored a 1,2,3,4? I did and I had 3 witnesses.

      Reply

      KR

      3 months ago

      I never would have thought about that if I hadn’t read this, BUT this happened to me yesterday. Made a ONE on hole 4 (141 yds), a THREE on hole 7 (209 yds), a FOUR on hole 12 (184 yds) and a TWO on hole 16 (161 yds)…….thanks for bringing this up, made me good look!

      Reply

      Clay Rouse

      3 months ago

      I once had a “hole in 3”. On a par 3, I hit my first shot into trees and brush to the left of the green. Lost ball. I teed up another and knocked it in the hole for a 3.

      Reply

      Mike

      3 months ago

      Same! Mine was a re-tee following hitting into the water, Tin Cup style. Made a par. Haven’t counted it as a hole-in-one!

      Reply

      Jim L

      3 months ago

      I did that on a par 4. First ball lost. Re-teed, second one in the hole for birdie.

      Reply

      Eli

      3 months ago

      I’ve done the same but when asked I always say I have 2 1/2 hole in ones. I do have 2 other legitimate aces but the “1/2″ was on a re-tee after yanking my first attempt left and OB. My playing partners that day still argued that I owed them a beer but I told them they don’t get a beer for a par…”but I’ll buy you anyway because you’re my friends and I like you enough to buy you a beer”.

      Reply

      Wil Clark

      3 months ago

      My buddy has never had a hole-in-one but I witnessed his (1) hole-in-three ( OB right, in the hole on the fly), and (2) hole-in-five (water, water, in-the hole).

      Reply

      hkr4life1950

      3 months ago

      “when you can practically smash a putt onto the green from the tee.” This seems a bit vague, I have hit many putter shots over 200 yards (the longest was over 240 on the 18th hole @Harding Park). If I made a hole-in-one using my putter would it not count?

      Reply

      Old Sarge

      3 months ago

      Somebody wake up Kuso from his/her coma and tell him/her we’re not in the 19th century anymore.

      Reply

      Kuso

      3 months ago

      In the 19th century we didn’t have all this tech either, including a lawn mower!!!! Golf courses were literally cut by cattle and raked by hand, greens ran at the equivalent of your lawn in front of your house as they used cattle and sheep to cut most of the courses LOL and they certainly didn’t have rollers, clubs were made of wood, balls made of sheep’s balls, so yeah, the people who played golf were the RICH, the proper RICH, so yeah I am NOT in the 19th century, thank goodness, we have ACCESS to so much now, including the RULES in your pocket in the smartphone!!!!
      I have respect for the game that you don’t.
      LMAO

      Reply

      Phil

      3 months ago

      I have had 6 holes in one during tournament or league play. I also had two holes in one while playing a 9 hole round by myself. Do I have 6 or 8? I usually say 6.

      Reply

      James

      3 months ago

      I agree with your points, especially the one about not having a witness. It’s in the same vein as the scrambles to an extent – if you’re claiming it, you’re living with the lie. That’s on your soul.

      I remember seeing a story about some guy who claims to have dozens of HIOs with witnesses – it’s pretty clear he pays them off to attest to it.

      Reply

      Craig Brown

      3 months ago

      I think a hole-in-one counts on a “regulation” golf course including par 3 where most holes are 100-200 yards. I have several and only saw one of them go in the cup. Fortunately, I had witnesses for all of them.

      My 1st “1” was on a 9 hole course. I was on vacation and taking a break from fishing – playing alone and the 1st one out. When I made the turn, a four-ball of ladies were playing the 1st hole. When I arrived at the 11th hole, one or two of them had had hit and the others waited for me to play through. I hit a good shot but didn’t see it finish. One of the ladies started shouting that it went in; the other three were not sure. I walked up to the green, fixed my ball mark, walked to the hole and the ball was at the bottom. They ladies came up, signed my card, I finished my round, stopped at the pro shop/snack bar and left enough money for their drinks and left.

      The next six years, I made two more exactly 2 years and 2 days apart. The others have been more spread out. Every one of them the same thrill as the 1st.

      Apologies for the long story!

      Reply

      Morse

      3 months ago

      Agreed. There are some seriously challenging Par 3 courses out there. If the holes are all 100+ yards, that should qualify.

      Reply

      Kuso

      3 months ago

      Respect for the game, integrity, honesty, playing by the rules. That’s what makes golf what it is.
      If it didn’t happen during a normal, full round of golf over 18 holes on a regulation course with all scores counted properly and attested, and submitted for index or at the least the card signed by all players in the group, then it does not count.
      That’s the respect you’re going to have to have for the game. End of.
      Even if you played the worst overall round of your life and the hole in one happened in that round, when you put it on the wall, you’ll know you did it, and did it right, the scorecard is there.
      All the others are just a kick about jokes

      Reply

      Morse

      3 months ago

      However, not everyone has the money or the time to cover eighteen holes and play a proper round every time they go out. In fact, some areas of the country have, at best, executive courses within close proximity. If you hit a HIO playing a twilight nine and you are legit keeping score, that easily counts. This coming from someone who aced a 170 Par 3 at Pelican Hill, with witnesses, and while playing eighteen holes.

      Reply

      Jimmy

      3 months ago

      More power to you if that’s your personal standard, but I’m guessing you’re not going to get much support around here (or anywhere, really) for such a hardline position. A little over the top is putting it mildly.

      Reply

      Kuso

      3 months ago

      It’s not my personal standard, those were the RULES set in the USGA/R&A, where they never used to allow counting of 9-holes towards handicap indexes, but only recently allowed to let people submit 9-hole scores.
      It’s the other way around, actually – I’m the one who should be saying to YOU, more power to you, if you want to post that scorecard on the wall for a 9-hole round with a Hole in One in it on your wall as a record. That’s up to you if you want to be that lenient to yourself LOL
      I’ve had holes in one on kick-about Par 3, short 9 holes at night-lit courses a couple times but I never counted those and never kept the cards, I don’t care. I’ve only ever had one legit one my whole life, and I had to make sure I finished the round at the very end of the day as the light was waning, because I was playing with a club pro and he made sure I finished the whole 18, as that was the only way the card and the HOI could be submitted officially.
      This game is NOT A JOKE, but if you want to clown around and monkey it, that’s your choice

      Jimmy

      3 months ago

      The rules say nothing about when you’re allowed to tell someone else you made a “hole in one” so the standard you’ve applied absolutely is your own. Notice nobody else here is agreeing with you.

      Kevin L

      3 months ago

      What par 3 courses could qualify for legitimate hole in one’s? Any that carry a handicap index, and course and slope rating. I think this would include almost all executive (par 60) courses, and rightly so. I agree with All your qualifying AND disqualifying points

      Reply

      Robin

      3 months ago

      I have one from 120 all water carry . Then another 180 yards.
      When I got the second I new I was going to make one sooner than later.
      Sometimes I have a little idea and it turns out.
      Now I’m way better than ever but I don’t get that feeling anymore.

      Reply

      Bob Greenop

      3 months ago

      Totally agree. I would never have thought otherwise until you bring it up ! They all count !

      Reply

      Kuso

      3 months ago

      No, they don’t!

      Reply

      Dan K

      3 months ago

      How about this one. 150 yard par 3, in a scramble, ball hits base of flag pin and falls right in. Only issue? Big Cup scramble. Now the ball hit the base of the flag on the fly (found the crack) so probably goes in either way, but big cup certainly makes it a question?

      Reply

      JJ

      3 months ago

      I’m going with not a legit hole in one…one to brag to your buds about, but not a real deal.

      Reply

      Kuso

      3 months ago

      If it wasn’t a legal cup then of course it’s not real. The hole point of it is that it’s difficult to get it into the regulation cup, right?

      Reply

      Doc

      3 months ago

      My only ace did not count as we were playing in February. Starting our round on the 170 yard par 3 10th hole as per the directions from the pro shop. My first swing in over 8 weeks was a pure 6 iron that looked like a Sunday afternoon shot you would see on television. The ball landed on the green 15 feet right the pin took one hop and disappeared. Unfortunately our course always has two holes cut in the winter to rotate the flag between 4somes. My ball went in the WRONG hole.

      My 3 playing partners insisted it was an ace, but not me. As we were only playing a friendly round I let them put a 1 on the scorecard.

      I’m still looking for my first ACE

      Reply

      Bob

      3 months ago

      I agree with everything you are saying, but it did remind me of a funny shot I hit years ago. I pulled my shot so far left on the 9th hole it went in the 18th hole at least 30 yards to the left.

      Reply

      Patrick D

      3 months ago

      Interesting article. But your “For a better player, I think it has to at least be a full wedge” comment is so arbitrary as to be absurd. Most better players do not need to hit a full wedge (on a windless day) on one of the top 3 most famous par 3s in golf: Pebble Beach’s 7th. Are you going to say a hole-in-one there doesn’t count because it wasn’t a full wedge? I’m guessing that this statement violates your own principles that led to this article.

      Reply

      Bob

      3 months ago

      I’ve gotten 3 in the last year. all on a par 3 course, but all of the holes were over 125yds. I count them. I also play Fling Golf, (Flinggolf.com) I’ve had arguments that the 3 aces don’t count because I didn’t use a traditional golf club. You try to throw the ball 125 yds and get it in the cup. T’aint easy. Years ago I got a hole in one with traditional equipt. on a 110yd par 3. Didn’t feel any different….

      Reply

      glen o

      3 months ago

      Yeah the par 3 course if an iffy one. I have a couple on them and both were a flip wedge for me about 75y and 80y. One was even off a mat!!

      I personally do not count those.

      But there are par 3s on legitimate course that have a flip wedge distance for me. There are plenty in the UK and a more well known recent one that being Los Angelese CC that hosted the US open. That par 3 was under 100y for sure and no one would discount it if an ace occurred on it

      Reply

      That’s Mr. Dirt

      3 months ago

      I agree with all of your points. I would like to meet the person that says “an ace on the simulator counts.” I imagine he must be very fun at parties.

      Reply

      Eric

      3 months ago

      Simulator hole-in-ones will never be considered legitimate to me.

      Reply

      FakeRichGuy

      3 months ago

      A simulator is a video game. I don’t count any of my hole in ones on the old Microsoft Golf as legitimate.

      Reply

      Yaaqob

      3 months ago

      If you put down a ball and hit your first shot from the tee on any par 3 (or I guess short par 4), then that shot qualifies as a hole-in-one if it goes in. It is literally in the name. The check list goes first shot, ball in hole, and no illegal equipment. That is all that is required. Whether it is for handicap or part of a scramble or done on a par 3 course doesn’t matter because this isn’t a 90 minute futbol match but rather 9 to 18 individual skill competitions that are each unique and a fresh slate. Unless you play golf by adding your score up as you go so by hole 6 you are probably hitting 25 from the tee, then stfu and let people enjoy their 1 in 15,000 moment.

      Reply

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