A hole in one is a rare feat in golf where a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the cup with one stroke. Holes in one are more common on shorter holes, so the longest holes in one require tremendous skill, power, and luck. Let’s explore some of the longest holes in one ever made in the history of golf.
What is Considered a Long Hole in One?
Most holes in one occur on holes less than 200 yards. The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) estimates the odds of an amateur golfer making a hole in one are about 12,500 to 1 on any given par 3 hole. For professionals, the odds improve to 2,500 to 1. So when you start looking at holes over 200 yards, the odds become astronomical.
Any hole in one over 250 yards is considered extremely rare. Most of the longest holes in one on record have been on holes measuring over 400 yards. At this distance, players need to strike the ball solidly with the perfect launch conditions to reach the green and have it roll into the cup.
Longest Hole in One – Mike Crean at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club
The longest verified hole in one was made by Mike Crean at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado in 2002. He made a hole in one on the 517 yard par 5 9th hole. Here are the details:
- Mike Crean was a 71-year old amateur golfer with a 9 handicap at the time.
- The 9th hole was playing at 517 yards, downhill with a dogleg left.
- He used a 5 wood and hit a high slicing shot that carried 320 yards towards the green.
- The ball landed on the front portion of the green and rolled 70 yards into the cup.
- There were 7 witnesses, including his 3 playing partners and two groups waiting to tee off behind him.
Crean’s 517 yard hole in one is considered the longest ever made. For perspective, the typical PGA Tour professional hits their tee shot around 270-290 yards with the driver. So Crean had to hit two incredible shots just to cover the yardage to the green, before getting the perfect roll into the cup.
Longest Holes in One at Major Championships
The longest holes in one achieved at major golf championships is also incredibly impressive. Let’s look at the three longest aces struck at the big four men’s majors: The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship.
425 Yards – PGA Championship
The longest hole in one at the PGA Championship belongs to Bobby Cruickshank in 1934. He made an albatross two on the 16th hole at Fresh Meadow Country Club in New York. The uphill par 5 played at around 425 yards and Cruickshank hit a wood 3-iron combination for his long ace.
420 Yards – U.S. Open
Jack Nicklaus owns the longest hole in one in U.S. Open history. In the first round at Baltusrol Golf Club in 1967, he made an ace on the par 4 10th hole, playing at around 420 yards. Nicklaus hit a 4-iron that carried 218 yards and rolled the rest of the way into the cup.
387 Yards – The Open Championship
During the opening round at Turnberry in 2009, Alex Cejka made an unlikely albatross on the par 4 ninth hole. The downhill, downwind hole played at 387 yards. Cejka hit a massive drive that left him just 71 yards to the pin. His wedge spun back into the cup for a long hole in one.
Longest Hole in One on Tour – Andrew Magee
The longest hole in one recorded on the PGA Tour belongs to Andrew Magee. In 2001 at the Phoenix Open, he jarred his tee shot on the famous par 4 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale. Here are the details:
- The 332 yard 17th hole was playing slightly downhill and downwind.
- Magee struck a high cut shot that landed just short of the green and rolled in.
- The distance was measured at 326 yards.
- Magee’s hole in one was the first ever on a par 4 in PGA Tour history.
Magee’s ace is especially impressive considering it occurred on a par 4. Most par 4s measure between 400 to 500 yards, so holes in one are extremely rare. Magee’s shot is the pinnacle of both power and precision.
Longest Hole in One in Competition – Jodi Ewart Shadoff
On the LPGA Tour, the longest hole in one during competition was struck by Jodi Ewart Shadoff. In 2018 at the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship, she jarred her tee shot on the par 4 16th hole. Here is what made it so remarkable:
- The 16th hole was playing 314 yards downhill.
- Ewart Shadoff hit a driver that went straight into the cup.
- She did not realize it went in the hole until she arrived at the green.
- At 314 yards, it is the longest ace ever carded at an LPGA event.
For comparison, the LPGA Tour’s average driving distance leader averages around 275 yards off the tee. So Ewart Shadoff’s 314 yard hole in one demonstrates the tremendous distance she generates.
Analysis of Factors for Long Holes in One
When analyzing the longest holes in one ever made, we can identify some key factors that enabled these remarkable feats:
Hole Length
To achieve a hole in one over 250 yards, you need length off the tee. Most long holes in one occur on downhill par 4s between 300 to 450 yards. This allows the ball extra roll after landing on the green.
Firm, Dry Conditions
Extra bounce and roll is essential for an extremely long ace. Most happen in warmer months when fairways and greens are firmer and faster.
Downhill and Downwind
Golf balls get extra carry distance when hit from an elevated tee and with a tailwind. Being downhill amplifies the ground roll as well.
Perfect Contact
You have to nut your tee shot to get maximum distance. Even the slightest mishit will cost you critical yards.
Premium Golf Ball
The best players use tour level balls that maximize distance off the driver. Newer balls with aerodynamic designs fly farther than old balata balls.
Skill and Power
It takes tremendous skill to center the clubface at high speed. Long drive specialists can maximize both speed and accuracy.
Luck and Bounces
The golf ball needs to take the proper bounces and breaks around the green to find the hole. Skill gets you close, but luck rolls it in.
Will We See Longer Holes in One?
As golf technology and athleticism improve, longer holes in one could be possible. Some factors that may enable longer aces in the future include:
- Faster golf ball and clubface designs adding distance.
- Players getting stronger with optimized fitness training.
- Course conditions becoming firmer and faster through agronomy.
- Tees being moved back on certain downhill par 4 holes.
- Greens designed to promote more roll out.
While luck will always be a factor, we may see more players able to reach greens from over 400 yards away. This could lead to a new record for the longest hole in one in the coming years.
Conclusion
Extremely long holes in one are marvels of golf skill, power, and luck. While an ace is achievable for all golfers on shorter holes, only the rarest combinations enable a 400+ yard hole in one. Mike Crean’s 517 yard ace stands as the longest ever. But new technology, athletic training, and course setups may allow even longer holes in one someday.