What Is an Ace in Golf?
An ace, also called a hole-in-one, is when a golfer hits the ball from the tee (the very first shot on a hole) and it goes straight into the cup in one stroke. The ball flies or rolls all the way from tee to hole with no additional shots needed.
Score = 1 • Usually happens on par-3 holes • Extremely rare even for professionals
Why It’s Such a Big Deal
How Rare Is an Ace? The Statistics
Golfer Category | Approximate Odds | Key Factors |
---|---|---|
Average Amateur | ~12,500-1 per shot | Distance control, consistency issues |
PGA Tour Professional | ~2,500-3,000-1 per shot | Superior skill, better course conditions |
Multiple Aces Same Round | Tens of millions-1 | Virtually impossible, astronomically rare |
Famous Ace Records & Examples
Factors That Affect Your Ace Chances
How to Increase Your Odds (Realistically)
While no strategy guarantees an ace, these tips can help stack the deck in your favor:
Golf Ace Culture & Traditions
Part of what makes aces so beloved are the rich traditions surrounding them:
- Memory Details: Players remember exact hole, club used, yardage, wind, weather, and witnesses
- Course Records: Many courses keep plaques or boards documenting aces with date, player, and hole details
- Special Balls: Acing players often receive commemorative balls with logos or special markings
- Celebrations: Traditional for the ace-maker to buy drinks for their group or celebrate at the 19th hole
- Tournament Recognition: Professional tournaments note aces with special recognition and sometimes bonus prizes
- Lifetime Stories: Aces become stories passed down through golf families and club generations
Scoring & Rules Impact
How an Ace Affects Your Score
Score = 1 stroke for the hole, regardless of par
On Par-3: Two under par (-2) for that hole
On Par-4: Three under par (-3), extremely rare
On Par-5: Four under par (-4), called a “condor,” virtually impossible
The ace counts like any other score toward your total round, potentially dropping several strokes off your final tally.
Why We Love the Ace
An ace represents golf’s perfect blend of skill, precision, and chance – one clean motion creating pure magic.
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