Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A hole-in-one is a score of one stroke on a hole: the tee shot comes to rest in the hole. The Rules of Golf define the ball as holed when it is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the putting-green surface.
How it matters in match play
A hole-in-one is scored as one stroke for the player who makes it, subject to any applicable penalty strokes. In match play, that player normally wins the hole if the opponent has not also holed out in one, because the hole goes to the lower number of strokes. It does not automatically win the whole match.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Hole-in-One |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf, Definitions (Holed); Rule 3.2a(1); Rule 3.3c |
| Related concepts | Hole Score, Match Play, Stroke Play, Scorecard, Holing Out |
Worked example
Illustrative example: on a par-3 hole, Alex holes the tee shot in one and Ben takes four strokes, so Alex records 1, wins that hole by three strokes and moves one hole up; no historical result is implied.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf, Definitions (Holed); Rule 3.2a(1); Rule 3.3c
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is a hole-in-one always a score of 1?
Yes. In ordinary golf scoring, the term means the ball was holed with the first stroke on that hole. Any penalty strokes that apply under the Rules would still need to be included in the player's score, so the competition result should be checked rather than assumed from a claim alone.
Does a hole-in-one win a match-play hole?
Usually, yes, if the opponent uses two or more strokes and no concession or penalty changes the result. Match play compares the players' gross or net scores for that hole, as applicable; a hole-in-one wins only that hole, not automatically the match.
How should a hole-in-one appear on a scorecard?
Enter 1 for the hole's gross score, then apply any competition handicap method to determine the net score where relevant. The marker and player should check and certify the hole scores under the competition's scorecard procedures.
Does a ball resting against the flagstick count as a hole-in-one?
It can count as holed under the special flagstick provision if the ball meets the Rule's condition for being treated as holed. The key point is the Rules' definition and the applicable Rule 13.2c treatment, not whether the ball visibly disappeared below the green.
Is a hole-in-one a special handicap score?
No special handicap adjustment is created merely by the phrase hole-in-one. For an acceptable score, the hole score is handled under the applicable format and Rules of Handicapping; competition terms and local administrative requirements can affect whether a round is submitted.
Can a hole-in-one happen in stroke play?
Yes. In stroke play it is simply a one-stroke hole score, and the player must hole out on every hole unless a specific Rules or format provision applies. The total round score includes that one stroke along with the scores on the other holes.