How to Properly Celebrate a Hole in One (and How Not to!)

Despite a couple of well-publicized exceptions, a hole-in-one is golf’s holy grail. It's a once in a lifetime accomplishment, a credit to your temporary perfection in an otherwise imperfect game.

Before we talk about how to celebrate a hole-in-one (just so we are all being honest, for me this is a completely hypothetical discussion), let’s talk about what you don’t do.

Do not, under any circumstances, quietly pump your fist or merely lift your arms with a dumbfounded look on your face that says, “I can’t believe that just happened.”

Unexpected events are part of life, and the vast majority of them are, unfortunately, negative; an ace isn’t one of those occurrences. It’s one of the few reasons in your adult life to be legitimately jubilant.

Whether you are 18 or 88 years old, if you make a hole-in-one go freaking crazy! Morph into some combination of Tiger Woods after draining one of any number of putts that broke Rocco Mediate’s heart and an NFL linebacker recording his first sack.

Pump your fist, do a dance, let out a “woo” that will make Ric Flair blush.

I’ve heard to many people say, “My playing partners were more excited than I was.”

Don’t ever be that person! Would your playing partners be more excited than you if you won the Powerball? You hit the golf lottery, act like it.

After your initial jubilation, don’t let the inevitable decline of your round (I played with a guy who shot a 99 with an ace) interfere with your joy. Not many people “career-it” and have a hole-in-one on the same day. No one, but you, cares about your final score, so keep smiling.

Tradition has it that anyone who makes a hole-in-one buys a round for the house. This is where tradition and I go our separate ways. The only thing that can ruin the ecstasy of a hole in one is going home to tell your wife that you bought 40 people $5 beers.

Don’t do it.

Buy everyone in your foursome (or group if you are on a golf vacation here in Myrtle Beach) a drink after they finish the round, identify a designated driver responsible for getting you home, and enjoy a few additional libations, if you so choose.

There is no wrong way to enjoy a hole-in-one, but remember: the celebration is part of the experience so make sure it’s memorable! 

How Will / Did You Celebrate Your Hole in One?! 

Tell your story in the comments below!