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Hole in One facts
Posted in: Hole in One Club
BUCKNUT
Legend
 
281 Views    33 Replies    6 Likes   I like it!
Here are some intereting facts I didn't know about a Hole in One from the National Hole in One Registery website.

Chances that a golfer will make a hole in one:

Tour player making an ace: 3,000 to 1
Low-handicapper making an ace: 5,000 to 1
Average player making an ace: 12,000 to 1
Two players from the same foursome acing the same hole: 17 million to 1
One player making two holes-in-one in the same round: 67 million to 1

Other hole-in-one facts:

There are approximately 500 million rounds of golf played each year in the U.S

On average each course has about 30,000 - 40,000 rounds played each year

Each course reports 10-15 hole in ones each year

A hole in one is scored once every 3,500 golf rounds

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

Age group that makes the most holes in one is 50-59 (25%) and the next highest is 40-49 (24%)

Ball used most often is Titleist (45%), Nike (14%), and Top Flite (11%)

Facts just for women!

16% of holes in one are made by women
Average age is 55
Average years of playing is 15
Average hole length is 111 yards
BUCKNUT
Legend
 
# 16    8/12/2011 6:33:34 AM   


Those are amazing facts. I would like to know how long it takes a golfer to get his/her first ace (on average). I know my father-in-law has nailed 4 in his life and my Grandfather made one in his life. Very Interesting!!!


As Bucknut reported in his original post: "Average years of playing is 24". You probably just overlooked it.



It took me 10 years (broken time: 7 years out of HS & and the last 3 I just started back) of playing to get mine. Someone on here told me they have had 2, 1991 and 2001 each 10 years apart and this being 2011 makes him do for another one. lol


Corey Busha
Professional Champion
 
# 17    8/12/2011 7:59:07 PM   
I want to know a stat on how many times you can hit the ball within 3 feet of the pin for the hole-in-one's. lol.


OptimalClub
Optimalclub.com Admin
 
# 18    8/23/2011 11:32:50 PM   
These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one.

It's important because the odds of making a hole in one at 100 yards are much better than one at 200 yards. It is mathematically impossible to assume that you will have the same shot dispersion at 100 yards vs 200 yards due to increase ball flight air time.

The accuracy skill level of the golfer also plays a factor. For example, at 100 yards, a Tour Pro will have better odds of holing out than an average golfer.

The OptimalClub iPhone app with GolfNet integration includes an exclusive Hole-in-One odds calculator for golfers of different accuracy skill levels (including a robot!). The fundamental message from hole in one odds analytics is this very important point: Anything you can do to improve shot to shot strike consistency has a positive effect on improving the odds of achieving a hole in one!


BUCKNUT
Legend
 
# 19    8/24/2011 6:44:51 AM   

These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one.

It's important because the odds of making a hole in one at 100 yards are much better than one at 200 yards. It is mathematically impossible to assume that you will have the same shot dispersion at 100 yards vs 200 yards due to increase ball flight air time.

The accuracy skill level of the golfer also plays a factor. For example, at 100 yards, a Tour Pro will have better odds of holing out than an average golfer.

The OptimalClub iPhone app with GolfNet integration includes an exclusive Hole-in-One odds calculator for golfers of different accuracy skill levels (including a robot!). The fundamental message from hole in one odds analytics is this very important point: Anything you can do to improve shot to shot strike consistency has a positive effect on improving the odds of achieving a hole in one!



Ummmmm, you still have to swing the club! Or does it do that for you too? Go play TW 11' if you want to play that kind of golf.


OptimalClub
Optimalclub.com Admin
 
# 20    8/24/2011 9:38:21 AM   

These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one.

Ummmmm, you still have to swing the club! Or does it do that for you too? Go play TW 11' if you want to play that kind of golf.


Of course, you still have to swing the club! Hole in one odds have been a difficult subject to quantify. For example, a recent hole in one for 360 yard shot was quoted at 1 million to one odds. Some just throw a number out at it to get more attention, whether it is incorrect or not. It's a real sloppy use of facts for entertainment, but these odds do change according to shot distance and skill level of player. No one really has quantified it more exactly until now.

@Corey Busha
"I want to know a stat on how many times you can hit the ball within 3 feet of the pin" - these odds can also be determined as well, and within 10 feet too. Hmm, this might be a useful stat to report because a golfer for any approach shot to the green really has no business of thinking of holing out the shot but to get it close for a one putt.


BUCKNUT
Legend
 
# 21    8/24/2011 9:55:38 AM   


These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one.

Ummmmm, you still have to swing the club! Or does it do that for you too? Go play TW 11' if you want to play that kind of golf.


Of course, you still have to swing the club! Hole in one odds have been a difficult subject to quantify. For example, a recent hole in one for 360 yard shot was quoted at 1 million to one odds. Some just throw a number out at it to get more attention, whether it is incorrect or not. It's a real sloppy use of facts for entertainment, but these odds do change according to shot distance and skill level of player. No one really has quantified it more exactly until now.

@Corey Busha
"I want to know a stat on how many times you can hit the ball within 3 feet of the pin" - these odds can also be determined as well, and within 10 feet too. Hmm, this might be a useful stat to report because a golfer for any approach shot to the green really has no business of thinking of holing out the shot but to get it close for a one putt.



I'm not thinking get it close for a 1 putt when I swing my club, I'm thinking I want the ball in the hole. That's the object of the game, is to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. Atleast I thought it was.


OptimalClub
Optimalclub.com Admin
 
# 22    8/24/2011 10:39:33 AM   



These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one.

Ummmmm, you still have to swing the club! Or does it do that for you too? Go play TW 11' if you want to play that kind of golf.


Of course, you still have to swing the club! Hole in one odds have been a difficult subject to quantify. For example, a recent hole in one for 360 yard shot was quoted at 1 million to one odds. Some just throw a number out at it to get more attention, whether it is incorrect or not. It's a real sloppy use of facts for entertainment, but these odds do change according to shot distance and skill level of player. No one really has quantified it more exactly until now.

@Corey Busha
"I want to know a stat on how many times you can hit the ball within 3 feet of the pin" - these odds can also be determined as well, and within 10 feet too. Hmm, this might be a useful stat to report because a golfer for any approach shot to the green really has no business of thinking of holing out the shot but to get it close for a one putt.



I'm not thinking get it close for a 1 putt when I swing my club, I'm thinking I want the ball in the hole. That's the object of the game, is to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. Atleast I thought it was.


You're absolutely right. To get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible is what golf is all about.

A hole in one, or hole out from fairway is truly a highlight for any golfer regardless of playing ability. It is a moment of perfection.

Golf perfection is a daunting task for an entire round. 1 success in 12,000 tries translates into 333 rounds of play for 36 opportunities to hole out for an average golfer. A very depressing stat yet it is a triumph against all odds.

I'll take the chances of shooting for a bigger target and lowering my score with 18 one putt chances inside of 10 feet in a golf round than seek perfection and aggressively trying to hole out on every shot. At least my blood pressure will be more normal and stay cool headed with emotions in check. :) Golf has funny bounces and this approach works for me.

For the record, I have 3 holes in one and most recent was in May 2011. None of them required me to think of holing it out. It is a great highlight everyone deserves to experience some day in their lifetime.


Mark Simmons
Legend
 
# 23    8/24/2011 11:02:45 AM   
These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one. It's a real sloppy use of facts for entertainment, but these odds do change according to shot distance and skill level of player. No one really has quantified it more exactly until now.


There is more than one "very important piece of information" missing. Of course, you are right that distance affects the odds of making a hole in one. But so does:
- Hole placement on the green
- Wind
- Undulations around the hole
- Hazards protecting the hole
- Elevation change from tee to green

Just to name a few other very important pieces of information that are also missing from the odds calculations.


OptimalClub
Optimalclub.com Admin
 
# 24    8/24/2011 12:08:34 PM   

These facts miss one very important piece of information: The distance of the hole in one. It's a real sloppy use of facts for entertainment, but these odds do change according to shot distance and skill level of player. No one really has quantified it more exactly until now.


There is more than one "very important piece of information" missing. Of course, you are right that distance affects the odds of making a hole in one. But so does:
- Hole placement on the green
- Wind
- Undulations around the hole
- Hazards protecting the hole
- Elevation change from tee to green

Just to name a few other very important pieces of information that are also missing from the odds calculations.


Great points and thanks for bringing that up. Green hardness is another factor for consideration here. Breaking these odds down further will end up with a net result that each hole in one is unique as a person's fingerprint because exact weather, swing, and course conditions are not likely to be repeated ever again.

However, the good news is all of these items are addressed by selecting the right club to adjust for wind, aim for crosswind, excluding clubs that will take hazard out of play (long or short), proper accounting for elevation change -- all with the goal of hitting the ball towards a favorable spot on the green, and with a little luck it goes in!

The actual odds result is still a function of top-view straight line distance between where ball is struck and pin location, natural random dispersion variation of ball in flight to hole (something we cannot control), and golfer shot-to-shot downrange accuracy (eg pro level dispersion is much tighter than an average golfer in creating the shot, and is a result of years of practice and play) using the right club (the right club is something we can control after taking in all the factors in play (wind, elev chg, etc)). Obviously, any club could produce a hole in one. The right club is the one that maximizes your chances of getting the ball near the hole.

This sure has been an entertaining discussion !


Scott Kalista
Professional
 
# 25    9/8/2011 11:13:39 AM   
Awesome stat's...My father has 9 and he is 78...most of these came at his prime..(45-50) believe me, he was the best short game guy you would have ever met. I only have 1 to date, hoping this changes, but no worries, if they come they come. My focus is more on hitting more greens, which will results in more birdies/pars, in turn lead to lower scores!


jschauer Schauer
Professional Champion
 
# 26    3/16/2012 11:58:26 AM   
What i want to know is what percent of hole in ones are from rolling straight in or from the left or from the right or from backspinning into the cup?

Answer that one :)


BUCKNUT
Legend
 
# 27    3/16/2012 12:18:17 PM   

What i want to know is what percent of hole in ones are from rolling straight in or from the left or from the right or from backspinning into the cup?

Answer that one :)




Alot of people probably do not know this do to the fact that alot of them are not even seen until they get up to the hole. Mine hit 2 foot pass and spun backwards into the cup. I saw it disappear but didn't know how it happened until I got up to the green and found my ball mark.


OptimalClub
Optimalclub.com Admin
 
# 28    3/16/2012 7:07:04 PM   
Yahoo's Devil Golf Blog reports Naomi Lee achieved 2 ACES on an executive par 3 course. They look up GolfDigest odds of this event, which makes no sense with the distances Naomi faced of 64 and 82 yards. 67 Million to 1

OptimalClub's hole in one odds calculator was used and reports the odds for an average golfer's shot accuracy skill level are:

64 yds: 4607 to 1
82 yds: 7547 to 1

Multiply these two odds and get: 34,768,029 to 1 (a major yet more realistic improvement in odds over Golf Digest reported)

GolfDigest research does not properly take in account neither hole in one distance nor shot accuracy skill level of person.

OptimalClub iPhone app puts the power of more accurate odds in your hands for any shot distance and 5 player skill levels. More importantly, it's unique at-a-glance club selector feedback is superior and more accurate than any app available due to automatic weather and elevation change integration for every club in the golf bag (eg you can find out instantly if you're hitting into wind and how many yards it will take off of normal club distance). It was absolutely spot on with club choice and swing effort for Davis Love III ace at the recent Honda Classic.

What's in it for GolfNet fans? OptimalClub also features the capability to post your handicap scores within the app using an interface you're already familiar with and is a proud GolfNet partner.

Regards,
Todd
OptimalClub

Attachment: An overview of conditions affecting Davis Love III hole in one and how it advised a hard 5 iron.
OptimalClub_Demo_300.gif


# 29    8/12/2015 9:26:24 AM   
I've never had a hole in one on a regulation course, but when I was teaching younger students, I had a hole in one on a hole that was about 125 yds long. Doesn't really count I know, but the feeling was great. Matter of factly, I did it twice, different holes. But I've had 9 eagles in my playing career, two coming from the fairway and both on par 4's and one from chipping in from the fairway. Had two eagles within 5 days besting my brother who birdie both holes. Losing with a birdie, now thats something to ponder. lol... ed


scrambler
Professional
 
# 30    10/13/2015 12:01:30 PM   
I've had two, same hole 3 years apart. Distance was 150 and 155; pin placement different both times. Decent shots, but good luck on the rolls. First time was definitely the most exciting. Been playing 9 years; started late (54) and my holes in one really agitated a buddy of mine who has zero and playing since he was 8!


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