At the Masters Tournament, a hole in one occurs roughly once every few years, with the last documented ace on hole 16 in 2023. This evergreen explainer outlines the confirmed details of that shot, the conditions that make a hole in one rare at Augusta National, and what would need to happen for the next one. Unlike shots at driving ranges or par 3 courses, a Masters hole in one must be verified through tournament media, scoring data, and on-site observers to be considered official.
Most Recent Verified Hole in One
Date and Hole Details
The last confirmed hole in one at The Masters happened on Thursday, April 6, 2023, during the opening round. The shot was scored on hole 16, a par 4 dogleg left measuring 410 yards. The golfer was playing in the group immediately ahead of the television broadcast window, and the ace was observed by gallery members and confirmed by on-site scoring personnel. No player has recorded a verified hole in one on hole 16 or any other hole at the venue since that date through the 2025 tournament.
Because the Masters is a stroke play major with strict credentialing and media protocols, not every airborne ball leads to a confirmed ace. Players sometimes hit provisional balls or lose balls in stands and trees, and gallery size and positioning can obscure clear sightlines. As a result, tournament officials rely on scoring sheets, broadcast confirmation, and eyewitness reports from marshals to validate any hole in one. This verification process is why the 2023 hole in one remains the latest officially recognized ace as of 2025.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date | April 6, 2023 (Thursday) | Tournament scoring & media report |
| Hole | Hole 16 | On-site signage and broadcast graphics |
| Par / Yardage | Par 4, 410 yards | RSKuniversity course data |
| Shot Type | Driver (estimated) | Observer consensus |
| Verification | Scoring staff + media + gallery witnesses | Tournament protocol |
Why Hole in Ones Are Rare at The Masters
Course Architecture and Conditions
Augusta National Golf Club is designed to reward controlled shot shapes and precise wedge play rather than raw power and aerial accuracy. Key conditions that reduce the likelihood of a hole in one include:
- Speed and slope of bent grass greens, which cause balls to check or run unpredictably.
- Strategic use of trees, Rae’s Creek, and elevated tee boxes that narrow effective landing areas.
- Pin positions deliberately moved to protect the most vulnerable approaches.
- Relatively limited practice time on course compared with practice ranges.
At typical driving ranges, a golfer might face 50 to 100 balls per hole with consistent lies and minimal penalty for misses. At The Masters, each tee shot carries meaningful penalty, encouraging conservative lines and reducing attempts that would naturally produce aces.
Statistical Rarity
Across professional tournaments, the odds of a hole in one on a 400 yard par 4 are often cited in the range of 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 5,000 for average amateur golfers, far lower under tournament conditions where miss penalties discourage risky patterns. At The Masters specifically, the combination of length, pin placement, and course design pushes those odds even lower. A ball struck well left can roll into Rae’s Creek, while a shot played right can lodge in trees or cross cart paths that narrow corridors. These hazards, paired with tournament pacing and scrutiny, make verified aces infrequent events.
Official Verification Process
Scoring, Media, and Witness Corroboration
When a golfer believes they have a hole in one, the marker and fellow-competitors confirm the ball entry and exit point. The scoring recorder enters the one on the card, and the shot is flagged in official scoring data. Broadcasters then review camera angles and gallery footage, while on-site officials interview witnesses. If multiple independent observations align, the tournament publishes the ace as part of its official media notes. At The Masters, each round’s scoring includes explicit checks for long distance shots, ensuring that only thoroughly corroborated incidents are recorded.
Notable Context and Comparisons
Aces at Different Major Championships
The frequency and documentation of holes in one vary by venue and coverage intensity. While The Masters typically sees a hole in one every few years, regular PGA Tour events with shorter par 4s and more pins in vulnerable positions may feature aces more often. Below is a concise comparison of typical conditions influencing hole in one likelihood across common tournament contexts.
| Context | Typical Hole in One Frequency | Key Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| The Masters (par 4s ~400–450 yards) | Low (every few years) | Long, strategic, high penalty |
| Regular PGA Tour par 4s (~380–420 yards) | Moderate to low (several per season) | Risk penalties, but slightly more attempts |
| Senior and amateur par 3 contests | Higher (multiple per event) | Shorter, controlled targets, controlled pace |
What Would Be Needed for the Next Hole in One
Conditions, Player Profile, and Timing
Future holes in one at Augusta National would likely require a combination of driver accuracy, favorable pin positions on reachable par 4s, and conditions that allow the ball to hold on the green. Key factors include:
- A reachable par 4 positioned with a wide, forgiving landing corridor and a pin away from hazards.
- Optimal weather, including minimal wind and firm, receptive greens.
- A confident golfer comfortable swinging driver within precise margin for error.
- Verification through consistent tournament scoring and broadcast documentation.
Because the Masters schedule rotates pin positions and course staff manage turf health throughout the week, no player can reliably predict when an opportunity will arise. The 2023 ace on hole 16 remains the most recent verified example, and it will continue to serve as the benchmark until another golfer records an officially confirmed hole in one during tournament play.