Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A Hole-in-One Pot is a pre-funded side bet that pays an eligible player who makes a hole-in-one, usually under conditions agreed before play. The entry fee, qualifying event, witness requirement, rollover and payout are house rules, not a universal golf standard.
How it matters in match play
A Hole-in-One Pot is separate from the match result: an ace can win the hole under the normal scoring of the match while also qualifying for the pot. Agree beforehand whether every match player contributes, whether only a nominated hole counts, and how an ace is witnessed and paid. The pot does not change who wins the match.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Hole-in-One Pot |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Hole-in-One, Pot, Side Bet, Payout, Stake |
Worked example
Alex, Ben, Chris and Dana each contribute $10 to a $40 Hole-in-One Pot; Alex holes the tee shot on the nominated par-three, and the agreed rules pay Alex the $40 pot after the playing partners verify the ace.
Sources: thepremiergolfclub.com , www.randa.org , www.scga.org
Common questions
Is a Hole-in-One Pot an official Rules of Golf competition format?
No. It is a casual side bet whose entry, eligibility, witness and payout conditions are set by the group or event organiser. The Rules of Golf govern the played hole and score, not the private pot terms.
Who pays a Hole-in-One Pot?
The participants pay the agreed entry amount before play. For example, four players paying $10 create a $40 pot, unless the written house rules provide for a rollover or another settlement.
Does a hole-in-one automatically qualify for the pot?
Not necessarily. A club or event may require a paid entry, a nominated tournament, and witnesses. Agree those conditions in advance; a hole-in-one still counts as the player's score for the hole under the Rules of Golf.
Does the pot affect a match-play score?
No. The match is decided by holes won, lost or tied, while the pot is settled separately. An ace may win its hole, but the money side bet does not award an extra match hole.
What should the group write down before starting?
Record the contribution, qualifying hole or event, who may enter, witness standard, payout recipient, and what happens if nobody makes an ace. This prevents a private house rule being mistaken for a universal golf rule.
Can the pot roll over if nobody makes a hole-in-one?
It can if that is agreed in advance. One documented club example carries allocated money into the following year's prize pool when there is no ace, then starts a new fund after a win.