The Still Aceless Thread

[PedroCerrano]

Been playing since 1988 or so.  Figure about 1000 rounds of golf.  FINALLY got my first last week!  Never really been close to one going in before that.  I'm a 9 index, so not a complete hacker either.

 

#7 Carolina Trace - Creek.  158 yards to a front pin, downhill.  Hit a 3/4 swing 8 iron (hit it hard though) and it took one hop about a foot back of the pin and dropped.  I was in complete disbelief.

 

I'm convinced now more than ever that these things are luck and not skill.  Consistently being close to the hole...that's skill (not me).  Going in?  Luck.

 

Keep swinging.

 

[Jack Jordan]

Hang in there...I made my first ace in college in a match in 1969. Aceless until 2022 when I finally made another and I was a PGA member and have played LOTS of golf since. Most disappointing "close" was in a pro-am where I lipped out for an ace and the prize was a new car. The ball stopped 2 in away! To make things worse...my wife has made THREE aces in the past two seasons! JJ

[Golf Dawg]

On 2/3/2021 at 10:53 AM, GolfSpy MPR said:

I don't have the decades-long chase that some of you have. I've only been playing regularly for about 8 years now.

What I do have is an 8-year-old who constantly reminds me that he has an ace, and that he got his when he was 5. So that's my burden.

Remind him that someday he and his ace will need to take care of you - and what goes around, comes around…

[OldCaddie]

Figured I would jump in here as I am new to the forum.  I have been playing for over 50 years and never had one but have come close.  Caddied for years as a kid and never saw one either.

My closest was two years ago during COVID down the Cape (Cod).  I was playing with my brothers and hit the pin which had those damn ball removers on the pin because of COVID and bounced a foot away.  Was pissed to say the least. Oh well great day of golf with my three brothers.

[SeniorGolfer]

This is just the thread for me! I’ve been playing since I was 11 and now at 77, and still a very active player, I’m wondering “what the heck?” I find it particularly annoying when I ask friends who have recently had holes-in-one if this was their first and they respond with “nope, my third” or “ my fourth”, etc. Oh well, at least I’ve enjoyed the free beer!

[DeBartola_B]

Not sure if finding this group makes me feel better or worse about myself...

Haven't been really close in years but I still get that microsecond of a feeling that the ball is going in when it is in the air and heading in the general direction of the flag.

[Wicki]

On 2/3/2021 at 11:52 AM, TR1PTIK said:

I'll play. Not my first brush with an ace, but certainly the closest. #8 at Carthage Municipal Golf Course in Carthage, MO. Forget what the yardage was on that particular day, but it normally plays ~200 yards. Pin was at the front, greens freshly aerated, and playing into the wind if I recall correctly. Hit my 3 Hybrid low and up the right side of the green and watched it roll left towards the hole before stopping here...    

 

 

Think it goes in if the greens weren't punched???

I know that feeling! The guy I was playing with said, "You need to try harder next time!"

[Hopdevil]

League night a few years ago. 135 yards. Hit the stick. Tap in birdie and I LOST THE HOLE to an ace.

[rjacobs4]

My closest and most recent.  Playing in a scramble so I was moved up a tee.  Cut the corner on a par 4  uphill with a 3 wood from 220 yds.  
 

Oh so close!  It was online so one more rotation of the ball and it would have been in.  And an Albatross at that!

63 yo and playing all my life.  Took about 18 years off but still a lot of rounds with no luck so far!

 

 

[Fighting Leprechaun]

Have courage, Friends! It took me six friggen decades of playing golf before I finally made my first ace, last October. And fortunately it happened in front of witnesses, including a fellow looper, at my home course of Chambers Bay, so I didn’t have to worry about self-verification issues. Yours will happen when you least expect it, but it’s gonna happen!

[Golf Therapy]

I love this idea. I made my profile pic the last almost hio I had. This is a great place to share and commiserate with each other.

[doodlegolf]

1 hour ago, PedroCerrano said:

Been playing since 1988 or so.  Figure about 1000 rounds of golf.  FINALLY got my first last week!  Never really been close to one going in before that.  I'm a 9 index, so not a complete hacker either.

 

#7 Carolina Trace - Creek.  158 yards to a front pin, downhill.  Hit a 3/4 swing 8 iron (hit it hard though) and it took one hop about a foot back of the pin and dropped.  I was in complete disbelief.

 

I'm convinced now more than ever that these things are luck and not skill.  Consistently being close to the hole...that's skill (not me).  Going in?  Luck.

 

Keep swinging.

 

I think it was Phil who, when asked how to hit more holes in one (hole in ones?) said "Try hitting it closer to the hole". You are right Pedro, both skill and luck are needed.

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

Closest ever: Didn't grab a picture, but had a shot at Tobacco Road, hole 6, that ended up 2 inches directly behind the flag. Would've been a great 1st ace considering they give you a skull for it. 

Most recent: last week, Mammoth Dunes, flag tucked on the right (picture from a past round), played the backstop on the right and rolled probably within 6 inches of the cup on the way by, ended with a 6 footer: 

For the record, I did make both birdies. 

 

But yea... about to turn 39, 3 handicap, played a lot in my younger days (like...every day in the summer in HS and college), have lipped out and hit the flagstick multiple times (including one near-perfect shot that hit it on the fly and kicked into a hazard), spun right past it many times...and still no aces. Pretty sure I only have 2 or 3 hole-outs from outside of 100 yards too. Just can't get the ball in the hole...

[DechamBRO]

This is why I like those "Chase the Ace" videos on YouTube....watching a pro hit 100 shots trying to get a hole in one (they say the odds are 1 in 1500).....fun watching them get frustrated  

[Siamese Moose]

3 hours ago, Old Joe said:

Other subcategory: number of double eagles without an ace (am i leader in clubhouse with 2?). great subject. cheers to my fellow futile flingers of fallow fortune.

Nope, I have three double eagles without an ace. It's painful!

[Aim490]

Been playing over 50 yrs and this is the closest sniff I've had at an ace.  Last Sept. at Dwan (Bloomington, MN) #11.  High PW shot landed 4" past the hole and backed up across the edge of the hole.  It was a very satisfying mark to repair .

[Willie T]

Been close a couple of times.  The closest was last summer playing with my wife’s cousin’s husband.  Short par 3 (about 140), hit a 7i to about 12” from the hole (did get the bird).  Told Jim my playing partner “I’m cheap - hit ‘‘em close but no ace, ‘cause I don’t want to buy drinks”. Seriously, there is nothing like seeing the ball on line to the hole.  

[Duffer_E]

I've been playing for about 5 years.  22 HCP.  This is as close as I've ever come:

Reston National GC #11 - Playing 164 yds from the Black tees (not the tips - those are Gold tees)

July 29, 2022

6 iron

Yes, I repaired my ball mark.

And yes, I did make the birdie putt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BMDubya]

5 hours ago, SeniorGolfer said:

This is just the thread for me! I’ve been playing since I was 11 and now at 77, and still a very active player, I’m wondering “what the heck?” I find it particularly annoying when I ask friends who have recently had holes-in-one if this was their first and they respond with “nope, my third” or “ my fourth”, etc. Oh well, at least I’ve enjoyed the free beer!

I feel for you man! Or at least my Dad does. He’s 76, been playing for over 65yrs, NONE. I’ve played with him on numerous occasions, where he’s had tap ins on par 3s. Been with him when he’s hit the flag, a few times. Couple times left tap ins, couple times ricocheted into a bunker or completely off the green, resulting in bogeys or worse. Around 20yrs ago or so, my cousin wanted to get into golf. Him & my Dad worked together so they started out golfing together. First round out for my cousin, you guessed it. Hole in one. I think my dad said he’s witnessed around 9-10 aces. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, I guess. I would trade both of mine, for him to have just 1! Hopefully one day, before he isn’t able to play any longer….

[Josh Ross]

Ugh, had another close call on Saturday. Third time I've watched one lip out, this time I hit the ball just past the hole and spun it back. It was tracking perfectly but had too much pace and lipped out. Ended up a few feet away but it was a close one. I've got the stick once, took a chunk out of the cup, and now these three lip outs. It has to be coming eventually!