Which would you rather do first if you haven't done any.. Hole in one or shoot even par?

[tmac20]

Hole in one. I've shot +1 twice in my career, and I'm pretty confident that I'm going to shoot even par or better by the end of this year. A hole in one requires more luck than shooting even par. I know somebody who has been playing golf for 30 years, an outstanding iron player and has never gotten a hole in one.

[Slice of Life]

Absolutely even par. A hole in one, even with great skill, is mostly luck. Shooting even par says something about your game, a hole in one doesn't.

[Jmdmbike]

Easy choice - shoot even par. By a mile. While I'd love to get an ace (have come close a couple times), the thought of shooting even par would mean so much more. My best score or nine holes was +3, and + 10 for a full 18, so I can't see it happening but a nice dream:-)

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Spyder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremie Boop

There is no right/wrong or "odd" way to look at this question. It's more of a question about would you rather have a spectacular shot that is typically mostly luck or would you rather be a better golfer. I'll take being a better golfer every day of the week, unless there is a lot of money on the line :-P, then I'll take the ace.

lol This is what I mean though. I want the ace first because it may never happen again. You have the rest of your life to dedicate towards becoming a better golfer. Give me that damn ace up front and I can put that notch in my belt and move on. I am literally looking at the poll and reading it as "Which one of these do you want to achieve first.". I want the ace out of the way because the odds of it happening are very slim. However, if I put in enough time and practice I know I can make the latter happen on my own.

Sounds great, but I have 2 aces, yet I've never shot par.  Aces happen unexpectedly and are just good fun for a few minutes or a few days, but in the long run it's still just an eagle.  I didn't keep either of the balls that I made aces with, nor do I have a plaque on the wall to commemorate them.

The ability to shoot par golf is in a completely different classification.  Despite your analysis above, not all of us will ever have that opportunity because we don't have the time to practice, or we simply lack the native athleticism necessary to achieve such a high goal.  But each and every one of us has the opportunity to hit a hole in one every time we stand on the tee of a par 3 hole.  That makes shooting par a much less likely and more longed for achievement for most of us.  If I ever did shoot even par or better, I'd have the card attested and framed.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Sounds great, but I have 2 aces, yet I've never shot par.  Aces happen unexpectedly and are just good fun for a few minutes or a few days, but in the long run it's still just an eagle.  I didn't keep either of the balls that I made aces with, nor do I have a plaque on the wall to commemorate them.

The ability to shoot par golf is in a completely different classification.  Despite your analysis above, not all of us will ever have that opportunity because we don't have the time to practice, or we simply lack the native athleticism necessary to achieve such a high goal.  But each and every one of us has the opportunity to hit a hole in one every time we stand on the tee of a par 3 hole.  That makes shooting par a much less likely and more longed for achievement for most of us.

I think the poll is kind of being misinterpreted by some people though. It seems like it's being read as simply "Which one would you rather do", not " If you do not have either one of these, which one would you want to have accomplished first ". For me, I would want the ace first because it is more realistic and more rewarding for me at this point in time because I cannot shoot even par at this stage in my game.

If I am able to dedicate the time to becoming a good enough golfer to shoot even par, so be it. If not, I would like to at least ace a par 3. I would love both obviously and know that shooting par is much  more rewarding and harder to do. If you're asking me which one I would want to do first though, I would take an ace. It's not feasible for most people to think about shooting even par, given life's time restraints. I was just answering from a realistic standpoint in regards to my own game and time available.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

If I ever did shoot even par or better, I'd have the card attested and framed.

Yeah, next time it happens for me (not if, when - gotta be confident!!!) I'm going to do exactly this!

[Bobtrumpet]

Any hole in one I get would likely look like the result of a Rube Goldberg contraption.

I'll take even par, thank you.

[boil3rmak3r]

Any hole in one I get would likely look like the result of a Rube Goldberg contraption. :-)

+1. I've actually witnessed one of those before. It was exciting and comical at the same time.

[kw purp]

Hole in one, not even close. My dad has been playing 40 years and has broken par several times, but no hole in one. Hole in one has so much to do with luck, it would be great to just get one and be done with it

[mvmac]

Very interesting thread.  At first I figured everyone would say Hole in One.  Makes sense why most pick the even par round, it means you're good enough golfer to shoot even par.  Here's my take, a hole in one is the closest you can get to perfection in the game of golf.  The goal is to get the ball in the hole, you make a swing from 160 yards, it goes in, mission accomplished.  An even par round is really great but you can still analyze the mistakes you made that would have allowed you to shoot under par.  Then the next goal is breaking par, then after that it's breaking 70. Just a quick example to show that you can never be satisfied in this game.  No one can do better than a hole in one.  They give away crystal for a hole in one at the Masters, not even par rounds

Yes, hole in ones do require some luck but some of you guys are saying it's ALL luck which I disagree with.  Most hole in ones are the result of a good shot.  So if you've made a hole in one, give yourself some damn credit and enjoy it

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Very interesting thread.  At first I figured everyone would say Hole in One.  Makes sense why most pick the even par round, it means you're good enough golfer to shoot even par.  Here's my take, a hole in one is the closest you can get to perfection in the game of golf.  The goal is to get the ball in the hole, you make a swing from 160 yards, it goes in, mission accomplished.  An even par round is really great but you can still analyze the mistakes you made that would have allowed you to shoot under par.  Then the next goal is breaking par, then after that it's breaking 70. Just a quick example to show that you can never be satisfied in this game.  No one can do better than a hole in one.  They give away crystal for a hole in one at the Masters, not even par rounds

Yes, hole in ones do require some luck but some of you guys are saying it's ALL luck which I disagree with.  Most hole in ones are the result of a good shot.  So if you've made a hole in one, give yourself some damn credit and enjoy it

I'd say an albatross is more perfect. ;)

Of course it's not all luck, which is why pros are way more likely to get them than the average schlub.

My point was, what's perfect about a hole in 1 when you still shoot a 97? lol

[iacas]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Yes, hole in ones do require some luck but some of you guys are saying it's ALL luck which I disagree with.  Most hole in ones are the result of a good shot.  So if you've made a hole in one, give yourself some damn credit and enjoy it

I wonder what the percentage of holes in one are truly a result of a great shot devoid of much luck at all (i.e. the shot looked like it was going to be close as soon as it was hit).

Off the top of my head, 90%. There are a LOT of stories out there about bouncing balls off trees, getting weird hops off bunkers, skipping a ball across the lake or hitting a rock, etc. Or like that one in the Canadian Open where it bounced off the other guy's golf ball.

Okay maybe 95%.

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by iacas

I wonder what the percentage of holes in one are truly a result of a great shot devoid of much luck at all (i.e. the shot looked like it was going to be close as soon as it was hit).

Off the top of my head, 90%. There are a LOT of stories out there about bouncing balls off trees, getting weird hops off bunkers, skipping a ball across the lake or hitting a rock, etc. Or like that one in the Canadian Open where it bounced off the other guy's golf ball.

Okay maybe 95%.

The only one I ever saw was heading straight at the pin right from the clubface...we knew it was gonna be good, but not THAT good.

[Jeremie Boop]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Very interesting thread.  At first I figured everyone would say Hole in One.  Makes sense why most pick the even par round, it means you're good enough golfer to shoot even par.  Here's my take, a hole in one is the closest you can get to perfection in the game of golf.  The goal is to get the ball in the hole, you make a swing from 160 yards, it goes in, mission accomplished.  An even par round is really great but you can still analyze the mistakes you made that would have allowed you to shoot under par.  Then the next goal is breaking par, then after that it's breaking 70. Just a quick example to show that you can never be satisfied in this game.  No one can do better than a hole in one.  They give away crystal for a hole in one at the Masters, not even par rounds

Yes, hole in ones do require some luck but some of you guys are saying it's ALL luck which I disagree with.  Most hole in ones are the result of a good shot.  So if you've made a hole in one, give yourself some damn credit and enjoy it

Eh, there is an element of luck when it comes to any hole in one. Some more than others but all require luck. If I never make par I'd be happy to get at least one of these in my life. I still would be more proud of an even par round than an ace.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Very interesting thread.  At first I figured everyone would say Hole in One.  Makes sense why most pick the even par round, it means you're good enough golfer to shoot even par.  Here's my take, a hole in one is the closest you can get to perfection in the game of golf.  The goal is to get the ball in the hole, you make a swing from 160 yards, it goes in, mission accomplished.  An even par round is really great but you can still analyze the mistakes you made that would have allowed you to shoot under par.  Then the next goal is breaking par, then after that it's breaking 70. Just a quick example to show that you can never be satisfied in this game.  No one can do better than a hole in one.  They give away crystal for a hole in one at the Masters, not even par rounds

Yes, hole in ones do require some luck but some of you guys are saying it's ALL luck which I disagree with.  Most hole in ones are the result of a good shot.  So if you've made a hole in one, give yourself some damn credit and enjoy it

What the hell took you so long!? I was starting to think I was crazy, but your take is exactly what I have been saying. I may still very well be crazy, but at least one other person joined the club now.

[Jeremie Boop]

Originally Posted by iacas

I wonder what the percentage of holes in one are truly a result of a great shot devoid of much luck at all (i.e. the shot looked like it was going to be close as soon as it was hit).

Off the top of my head, 90%. There are a LOT of stories out there about bouncing balls off trees, getting weird hops off bunkers, skipping a ball across the lake or hitting a rock, etc. Or like that one in the Canadian Open where it bounced off the other guy's golf ball.

Okay maybe 95%.

Even shots that look like they are going straight for the pin require luck to go in the hole. If it lands and rolls it has to roll enough to get to the hole, has to not roll too fast and bounce off the pin *happened to me*. If it drops in, it has to not bounce out or hit the lip of the cup and bounce out *saw that happen*. There has to be no wind/breeze or just enough wind/breeze for it to hold it's line and/or distance. So, in my opinion, there are 0% of hole in ones that are devoid of luck.

[rehmwa]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Here's my take, a hole in one is the closest you can get to perfection in the game of golf.

I have different take on perfection in golf.  (But I understand exactly what you mean)

There are a lot of things you have no control over and can't train for.  (little gusts of wind, imperfection in the green, a tiny nub on the tee, a bit of scuff on the ball, little imperfections on the club face, etc etc etc.  (wonder how tight the pattern is for a shot to a typical par 3 distance using those machines that hit it (as close to) exactly the same each time. - I bet the circle is bigger than 4.5 inches....)

So 'perfection' is perfect in what you control.  That means you hit your shot close, maybe very close.  But for it actually falling into the cup, there is still an element of luck there to close the deal.

You can "own" that even par or better round.

But, I'd say perfection is hitting 18 holes with every hole GIR or less, and two putt or less on each hole.

(((Still - I'd be unbelievably thrilled with the Hole in One and buy the round for everyone here anyway.....I am a big fan of the 'luck' component of the game - it's helped and hurt me in so many ways)))

[bplewis24]

I've never seen a hole-in-one in person before.  Of all of the shots I've seen come close to a hole-in-one in person (meaning, it rolls within a ball of the cup), probably as many as 15% have shots that did not look good or were not from solid contact.

What tournament was it this year where a guy made a hole-in-one on a dead-pull that landed on a slope off the green and rolled into the cup?  The Masters? Nope, I checked and it wasn't the Masters.  I thought it was a big tournament.  Here it is, US Open:

I have no real point to make.