The Ace may be a high playing card in a deck of cards but it is also a most coveted prize in the game of golf. The Ace or proverbial hole in one is considered an eagle on a par 3, which is the more common par for an Ace or hole in one to occur. FYI – a birdie is the golf terminology for one under par and an eagle is two strokes below par, either of which is a substantial accomplishment on any golf hole. On extremely rare occasions, a hole in one has also been recorded on par 4’s, which would be considered a double eagle or Albatross ( three under par ), as affectionately called in the United Kingdom ( England, Ireland and Scotland ). In most extremely rare occasions a score of one has been recorded on par fives, and I’m assuming the score would be considered a triple eagle or double albatross. If there is an official name given for a hole in one on a par five I am not privy to it because of the extreme rarity of the occurence. The Guinness Book of World Records notes a number of holes in one on par fives as does Golf Digest archives on occasion.

The picture below is the notable par 3 12th hole At Augusta National Golf Course where the Masters is played every year. A great time for an Ace and it has been done but these occurences are few and far between.

I can attest from personal experience that beside the skill factor there is some luck involved in achieving a hole in one. I’ve been playing golf for over 30 years and have come so close to a hole in one on at least a dozen occasions. My ball has landed within 12″ of the cup and has also ended up within 1/2″ to 3″ on at least 6 of those occasions. The reason I mentioned some luck is involved is that one time I was playing with a relatively new golfer that was probably a 30 handicapper ( average score in the 105 range ) and at the time I was a 12, and he hit his tee shot well off line on a par three hole of approx. 125 yards. The ball hit a tree, well off to the side of the hole, and rebounded back onto the green and went in the hole.  I would consider that pretty lucky, wouldn’t you agree ?  There are a number of other similar tales regarding holes in one but most players who make them are fairly skilled and usually play often.

One time while playing Marine Park Golf Course in Brooklyn I was on the 14th hole par five, which runs adjacent Flatbush Avenue. The hole is approximately 514 yards from the tee location we were playing that day. I hit a drive flush and launched it about 300 yards down the right side of the fairway. I was a fairly long hitter at the time and I knew I could reach the green in two with a five iron for my second shot. I waited for the group in front to clear the green and hit another one on the screws and I knew the ball was heading for the flag and the cup. The group in front was part of the Marine Park Golf Club, which I belonged to at the time, and they were waving and cheering so I thought the ball may have gone in. When I arrived at the green a few minutes later the ball was sitting about a half inch from the cup and a double eagle. I had a tap in for an eagle but a double would have been much more rewarding for me than a hole in one because it is more difficult and a rarer feat to accomplish. I also came within a foot of a double eagle on a 275 yard par 4 one time but once again it was not meant to be. My goal is to get that elusive “Ace” before my 60th birthday, which is a few years away. I wish all you new and seasoned golfers alike the Best of Luck with achieving your “Hole In One”. Happy Golfing to All !

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Who Is The Golfer in The Photo Below ? Anyone venture a guess ? Sign up and let me know who you think it is and where he’s playing ?

In my opinion, the Nassau is the most popular and fun format for betting in golf. It consists of a front nine hole bet, a back nine hole bet, and an overall score bet which is determined by the team or individual player who has won the most holes in any particular golf round. As noted previously the Nassau can be played as an individual player or  a team. There are also varied types of bets that can be made during a Nassau. Stroke Play, usually with Handicap, NOTE: I would be remiss if I didn’t explain handicap here – Just as in bowling, the handicap is the equalizer in competitive golf. In bowling a player gets spotted the difference between the average of another player that may be better than he or she. In other words if player A has a 180 average and player B has a 150, player A has to give player A an 80, 90 or 100 % spot, or 24, 27 or 30 pins respectively, depending on the rules established for a particular league or tournament, in order to equalize the fairness of any bet or competition. The same analysis applies to golf. If one player normally averages a score of 80 and another player averages 95, then the 80 shooter will have to spot or handicap the other player with 15 shots or a percentage of the difference in stroke average, again depending on the rules established by the club or tournament for that particular competition. Besides stroke play, which is the count of all the strokes incurred for the front nine, the back nine and the overall score you can play by Match Play, which is a hole by hole format whereby you have an individual game for each hole and the player with the most amount of winning holes at the end of the first nine or front nine, the back nine and the overall 18 holes is declared the winner. In Stroke Play the handicap is deducted from the total score at the end of the front nine, the back nine and the overall to determine the winner. In Match Play the handicap is adjusted on each hole. As you know there are 18 holes in professional golf and each hole has a difficulty rating, depending on it’s rank against the other holes on the golf course. Since there are 18 holes the holes will rank in difficulty from 1 thru 18. If a player is entitled to 15 strokes in stroke or match play then they will receive a stroke on the 15 most difficult holes on the golf course ( See The Score Card for the Difficulty Rank of Each Hole ) . The other 3 remaining holes will be played even up so the player receiving strokes should take advantage of that opportunity whenever possible. There are many different formats that can be utilized when playing a Nassau but the one I enjoy the most is Low and Overall which keeps all players in the competition and can only be played with four players. This means that the Player with the lowest score on any given hole would get one point and the total of both players on the team with the aggregate total lowest score would receive another point. If the two low scoring players tie on any hole then no points would be received because the bet is cancelled out by each others score and the same would go for total score if the teams were even on that hole. The handicap of each player is considered on each hole and is added or deducted accordingly before a point is allowed for that hole. 

A friendly bet is usually $2 to $5 per front, back and overall which would mean a total loss of six to fifteen dollars if one team or player lost all three bets. The teams should be made so that the they are as evenly matched as possible to allow for a fair and fun match. There is also an additional bet that can be added to the game called “The Press”. The press is a bet that can be automatic or at a players discretion depending on how many holes he is down and his optimism in thinking he can beat the other player or team and win any money lost back. In automatic press format, if you are down by a hole you automatically have an additional bet on the next hole and the potential loss or gain can become substantial using this format. For beginning golfers I would recommend a simple $2 bet and optional presses after you have established somewhat of a handicap. To establish your handicap you should average at least ten scores and use that average to establish how many strokes you give or take from the other player or players who you are competing with.

As noted earlier there are many fun betting formats in golf to make the game even more interesting, competitive and enjoyable. Next time you’re out playing with friends give it a try, even if just for fun and no money is exchanged at the end, but especially remember to have a great time and Happy Golfing To All !   

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As stated earlier if there is an obstacle in the way of your approach, such as a sand trap or tree, it will require a different strategy which will depend on the distance from clearing the aforementioned obstacle to reaching the flag or hole location. The most important thing is to concentrate on the shot on hand and follow thru to a finished position. The strategy I use to get over an obstacle quickly is to set up with a higher lofted club such as the sand or lob wedge with the club nearer my left foot and laid open so the ball pops up faster than normal. The term laid open means the club face is approaching a flat position with the blade pointing upward in relation to your stance and the ground. I also break my wrists back sharply and quickly which also promotes height and less distance, which is not your goal for this type of shot. Remember to follow thru to a finished position or there is a good chance you will leave the shot short of your intended landing area. You can try this shot even if there is no obstacle in your way and get a feel for the line of ball flight you will achieve for future reference under actual conditons. How close you get to your target will be determined by the distance away and the amount of follow thru combined with the speed of your swing thru the ball at impact. Accuracy and distance will come with practice but the main goal is to get over the obstacle and onto the green and not in a sand trap, tree, water or other hazard that may lie in front of you. This is one of the tougher shots required in golf so if you master this one it will help your game and score tremendously. Next Part 9 – The Putt. Happy Golfing to all !

For more tips and golf info visit http://www.guideforbeginninggolfers.com