Have you ever had a hole in one? Tradition is that the player who hits a hole in one buys a round for everyone. I was curious about this tradition and looked into it and its history. There is no definitive event marking the first round bought by a player acing a hole but may assume it was the result of exuberant golfers celebrating their accomplishment with others and eventually became customary to buy a round for everyone.

Naturally there is no way of knowing exactly how this started and it seems people feel differently about it. Cocktails, shots, beer are all on the table when it comes to that celebratory drink. It seems beer is the drink of choice when celebrating an ace. I served 20 pitchers of beer when a player hit a hole in one during an event at our course and on a few other occasions a cold draft beer was way to celebrate. Not everyone feels an obligation to pay his or her good fortune forward but most seem to agree that some form of this is the norm.

Some feel it’s acceptable to buy a round for the just the players in their group while others entire clubhouse. I found most would buy a round for the group or if the bar had a few patrons. It seems most found it not find it necessary to buy 40-50 complete strangers drinks (I tend to agree) unless there was some event such as a club championship or in the event of it resulting in the player winning a cash prize.

In my experience different variations of this tradition have taken place. I’m certain people have just left and not come in the clubhouse but I had someone buy rounds for everyone and someone buy just for the group. The chances of an ace are about 1,250 to 1 for an average golfer so these accomplishments should be celebrated.

Have you had a hole in one? How did you celebrate? Have you benefited from someone else hitting the ultimate golf shot? Golf is a gentleman’s sport and that’s why the tradition of the player repaying his or her good fortune in any fashion will continue. Everyone has a story so come on by and share yours.    Cheers from the clearing!!!