Golf Facts
There are a lot of unusual facts and stories in circulation about the game of golf. Many of these golf facts involve that sought after, but often elusive hole in one.
Although there are a great deal of golf facts that can be discussed in an article like this, some of the most interesting ones involve the ace, or hole in one. This elusive event is never far from most golfers' minds. Sure, you can always talk about dollars and cents. For example, there is almost $600 million dollars spent on golf balls each year! Also, you might add that a regulation golf ball has 336 dimples. Go ahead and count them on one of yours to be sure.
Numbers are always important when discussing golf facts, too. There are an estimated 50 million active golfers in the world. Their average score for 18 holes is 107 strokes and a full 80% of them will never achieve less than a handicap of 18. These sorts of numbers make you feel comfortable and part of a large family, and if you manage to shoot a 106 on your favorite 18 this weekend, you can have the satisfaction of knowing you are better than average.
Still, the most interesting golf facts are about the hold in one. The first one that we have an actual record of was recorded in the Open Championship in 1868. Tom Morris, known as "young Tom", aced the 145 yard, 8th hole. The longest one on record was a 427 foot tee shot that plunked into the hole on the 16th green at the Lake Hefner course in Oklahoma City in 1961.
Most people might not be aware that many golfers in Japan take out hole in one insurance. It is a custom in that country for a golfer who gets an ace to send gifts celebrating the achievement to all of his friends and family. Sometimes this can cost up to the equivalent of $10,000. The insurance policy is intended to protect the golfer from suffering too great a financial loss on his good fortune. They can not get covered, however, for more than one hole in one per 18 hole round, but since the odds of doing that are estimated at 1 in 67 million, it is not a major concern.
Back in January of 1985, a Swiss golfer named Otto Buchner hit a tee shot on the 12th hole of his local course. The ball sailed 130 yards and ended up in the cup. What makes this particular shot notably was the fact that Otto was 99 years old at the time. He holds the record for the oldest golfer to score a hole in one. The moral of this story is simple. If you have not managed to get one yet, do not give up. Just keep playing; you have plenty of time to get your first.