Hole-in-one or shoot your age?

[Jim Bourn]

At the present time I have 2 holes-in-one and 5 holes-in-3.  Additionally I shot a 72 on a course measuring about 6100 yards at age 74.   Have since shot my age from the forward senior tees a few times.

One of the aces and the 72 were in the same year.  Personally i feel that shooting my age was by far the greater accomplishment.  Was wondering what other people thought.

 

[Kenny B]

I consider aces to be a combination of skill combined with a lot of luck.  Obviously, the more skill you have the more chances you have for an ace, but as many here with considerable skill will attest, luck is a major factor.  I've been fortunate to have 3 aces that have come about 8 years apart... so I should be due for one this year!!  

Shooting you age is less luck and more skill driven.  The fewer mistakes you make on the course, the lower your scores.  Having a good ball striking day is not luck; it just happens.  The more skill you have the more it happens.  I am not the most skilled golfer, but rounds can be made and saved by a good short game.  I've shot my age about 5-6 times over the past couple of years with my lowest round being one under par 71.  I first shot my age from 6100y, but it's a lot easier from the senior tees!!

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I think there is a point in time where you switch the thought process. For anyone up to the age of 68 your only hope is getting a hole in one. Even a scratch golfer is hard pressed at shooting a 67 or something like that.  Then as Father Time creeps forward you have a shot at shooting your age. Shooting your age is harder because you are now trying to put together 18 good holes. A hole in one just always seems to be held in a higher regard for some reason. (Still waiting for mine. 34 years and counting)  

[GolfSpy_APH]

Hole in one. Don't have one and desperately want one. 

I am also 34 so would need to be after 9 for me. 

[richk9holes]

Hole in one. And if I ever get one I'm walking off the course to have a trophy made for myself and "retiring" for a couple months or more.

[tony@CIC]

IMO it's more luck than skill. There's a guy at out club up north that has 2 HIO and is a terrible golfer  - he normally shoots 110-115. I had one last year and I can assure you it was pure luck. I was having (another) bad day and just wasn't swinging my irons well. It happened on a short par 3 over water. While exciting and the recipient of lots of congratulations I would trade that HIO experience for shooting my age (75 at the time). 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

At the age of 33, I’d have to say hole in one. Though, scoring 33 on 18 would be a record to never be broken!

[cksurfdude]

Maybe rephrase the question to something more like... "A HIO or below par for 18?"

The flash in the pan is yeah glitzy and crowd pleasing, buuuut .. I'm gonna side with the group that goes for the full game skill set 

[richk9holes]

1 hour ago, Jnoble89 said:

At the age of 33, I’d have to say hole in one. Though, scoring 33 on 18 would be a record to never be broken!

I was thinking: I shoot my age all the time, at the par 27.

[David Leighton Reid]

I have had one hole-in-one, but at my age of 63, I have only shot under par once for 18 holes (70 on a par 72).  I believe I would select another hole-in-one.....there is nothing more exciting.  

[Triple_Putt]

An Ace has been closer a few times than me shooting my age at my local 9 hole par 3 course. Still searching for both but think i'd rather start shooting under there more than having a single hole in one 

[JerryB]

I think shooting your age would be the far better personal accomplishment because it's much more indicative of your skill.  But a HIO is by far a better external or "ice-breaker" accomplishment.  You could tell almost anyone that you got an ace and they would know the meaning but shooting your age would require a little more background information and the magnitude may still be lost.

I feel like shooting your age would elicit more "Wow, I just hope I'm still walking at that age!" comments that would annoy me.  That said, I'd kill for either one.

[sirchunksalot]

This is a tough one since I'm 48 and I don't think I'll be shooting that for 18. Right now, I'd be more happy to shoot my age on each 9 and shoot 96. Eventually my goal is to be able to break 90 on a more consistent basis.

Although, I would be ecstatic with a HIO. 

[Golf2Much]

I think @Tom the Golf Nut was right, as you reach a certain age the importance of getting a hole in one becomes less significant as shooting your age.   In my three day a week men's league I would estimate that we get about 2 or 3 holes in ones each year.  One day last year we had two on the same day (different holes).  Yes, there's a lot of excitement when it happens.  However, shooting your age takes a sustained level of excellence for an entire round to achieve.  We have two players in the league who have shoot their age.  One who does it once or twice a year (in his mid to late 80's) and another who does it 4-6 times a year (in his late 70's but could pass for mid 60's).   It's always a great conversation when someone comes in beating their age. 

Sure, there's a lot of alcoholic drinks involved with a hole in one.   Maybe the new tradition for shooting your age it should be "Ensure's for everyone!"

[Headhammer]

HIO!

[ChuckZ]

I have four hole in ones and have been chasing my age.  Came close three days after my 68th birthday in 2014 when I shot a 69.  Double bogied the last hole.  Guess the pressure got to me.  One of the guys said all you have to do is bogey the last hole and you will shoot your age.  Famous last words from a friend.  I actually stopped playing with this guy for this reason.  Always saying IF on hole sixteen or seventeen.  Do not know if he did it on purpose, but it did not set well with me.  Maybe he thought he was trying to motivate me.  Did not work.  Now I am 76 and will be 77 in September, maybe my odds will increase.  Coming off three months of PT and doing refresher lessons and continuing PT thru April.  Only time will tell.  Can hope for the best.  If I do not worry about either, maybe both will occur.  Hakuna matata.