re: can an average golfer really get a hole in one

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The question is - how many avg golfers can get a HI1 from the pro tees - on a real course

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I mean, if ur gonna set parameters, they need to be more clearly defined, such as what is a real course to you. I’d say the average semi private course around Baton Rouge is a real course. A typical par 3 from the tips on a course like that is probably in the neighborhood of 170ish yards, maybe a little longer. For an average golfer, that might be a 3 or 4 iron if well struck. Maybe even a 3 wood. If a 20+ handicap tees up a 3 wood on a 170 yard par 3 and hits it well and lands it on the part of the green he was targeting and it goes in the cup, that’s a hole in one in my book. I’d say that absolutely can and absolutely has happened probably many many times.

Realistically though, average golfers have no business playing the tips at any course. But the point still stands. If a 200 yard par 3 is 165 from the white tees and the 20+ dunks it with his 3 wood, it’s still a legit HI1 to me.

For comparison, a buddy of mine once pulled his 6 when he meant to grab his 9 and centered up a tree about 15 yards behind the green. Ball bounced straight back towards the green, took a couple hops through the rough and trickled down into the cup. He still claims zero holes in one.

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My grandfather got two in his lifetime. He was a plus 12 golfer.

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Awesome for him! A 12 is way above average though.

I've got one in my life. Detroit Golf Club South Course #5 from the black tees. I can proudly say that my only ace came on a Donald Ross course.

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Even I have scored some eagles. No holes in one, but I’ve hit the stick twice on my 2nd shot on a par 5.

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The guy I was playing with on Sunday was 3 ft from the pin on his 2nd shot on a par 5. Drove about 300-315 and then popped his hybrid about 220 with a perfect bounce about a foot before the green started and it slowed it down and it just rolled. We thought it was going in from where we were.

He then missed the putt and birdied it.

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He then missed the putt and birdied it.

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Isn't golf great

I’ve made 2.

I’m a decent, but not great golfer.

Two good swings.

The best golfer I play with has never made one. I’ve seen him make 3 eagles in one round.

I would say most hole in ones are a good swing that gets the best of luck.
I saw one that was a mediocre swing that rolled in.

I’ve seen 5 while playing. 4 were pure swings. 1 was mostly luck.

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Realistically though, average golfers have no business playing the tips at any course.

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I played with one of our young pros this past weekend.

He told me afterwards that many people are choosing to play tees beyond their skill level.

I play up. I score a little better from there and it gets more irons or wedges in my hands on par 4s. It also puts me more in line with my group so we can all walk to our golf ball and prepare for the next shot.

I’ve come real close about 5 times, once actually hit the pin but had too much speed and didn’t drop. Technically I’m an average/above average golfer because I can easily shoot in the 80s. On two occasions I’ve witness a golfer who can barely break 100 and one who shot in the upper 90s and never broken 90. So it’s pure luck.

I think shooting your age would be equal to a hole in one.