MoneyRules

Golf hole-in-one props: betting on an ace

A hole-in-one prop asks whether any player makes an ace during a tournament. Short par 3s and big fields make an ace more likely, so prices change a lot by course.

Reviewed Oct 15, 2026

Answer first

90s

01Any player in the field counts.
02Short par 3s raise the chance.
03Most props cover all four rounds.

Key numbers

Ace props at a glance

1StrokeTee to cup

Par 3Where it happensMost aces

4RoundsUsual event

Yes/NoMain propWhole event

In short

Key takeaways

Read which rounds count.
Course setup drives the chance.
A big field adds tee shots.
Pin positions change daily.

Progress

What drives the chance

1
Par 3s
How many and how long
2
Field
Number of players
3
Rounds
Cut and weekend
4
Pins
Easy or tucked

More short tee shots mean more chances.

Ace prop markets

Market	You bet on	Watch for
Ace in tournament	Yes or No	All rounds
Ace in a round	Yes or No	One round only
Player ace	One player	Long odds
Hole ace	A named hole	Short par 3s

Names vary by book.

Course setup

Par 3s of about 150 yards or less give players short irons and wedges. Those shots stop near the hole more often.

Long par 3s of 200 yards or more see far fewer aces. A course with four short par 3s offers many more chances.

Tee shots on par 3s

Field	Par 3s	Shots, rounds 1 and 2
144 players	4	576
156 players	4	624
78 players, no cut	4	312 per round

More tee shots mean more chances for an ace.

How often aces happen

Across a PGA Tour season there are usually dozens of aces, but most single events have none or one. Check recent course history.

Some courses produce aces nearly every year, often at one short par 3. That history is a better guide than a season average.

Sequence

Checking an ace prop

Step 01
Count the par 3s
And their length.
Step 02
Check course history
Past aces.
Step 03
Check the field
Number of players.
Step 04
Read the rounds
All four or one.
Step 05
Compare prices
Several books.

A worked example

You bet $10 on Yes, ace in tournament, at +150. The course has two short par 3s and a 156-player field.

In round two a player holes out on the 145-yard 12th. Your bet wins and returns $25.

Weather and pins

Calm weather helps players control distance, which leads to more shots close to the hole. Major championships often place one short par 3 late in the round to create drama.

Front or center pins on short par 3s give more chances. Tucked pins behind bunkers cut the chance.

Course setup can change from day to day, so check the hole locations if you bet round by round.

Common mistakes

Ignoring course setup: Par 3s matter.
Using season stats only: Courses differ.
Missing round rules: Check what counts.
Overbetting player aces: Long shots.

Player ace bets

Some books offer odds on a named player making an ace. These are long shots, often +5000 or longer. Some books also offer an ace on a named hole, which pays longer odds than the event market.

Even the best iron players rarely make more than one ace a season. Treat these bets as entertainment.

The margin on player ace bets is usually larger than on the main ace in tournament market.

Floor rules

Golf terms

Know before you sit

Ace: A hole-in-one.
Par 3: A short hole.
Cut: The field trimmed after round two.
Pin: The hole location.

Settlement and records

Books settle on official tournament results. If an ace is made in a round later cancelled, it may not count. Check the yardage card for each round, since tees can move forward.

Events cut short by weather are often settled on the rounds played, if the event is declared official.

Keep a note of the bet terms, since round and playoff rules vary.

Keep reading

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After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Basics

What is a hole-in-one prop?

A bet on whether any player makes an ace during the event or a round. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Where do most aces happen?

On par 3 holes, especially short ones. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Does any player count?

Yes, on the main prop any player in the field wins it for you. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

02Rules

Do playoff holes count?

Usually not, but rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

What if the event is shortened?

Bets are often settled on the rounds played, if the event is official. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Does an ace on a par 4 count?

Yes. Any hole-in-one counts, though par 4 aces are very rare. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

03Strategy

What makes Yes more likely?

Short par 3s, a big field and good scoring weather. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Are player ace bets good value?

They are long shots with large margins, so use small stakes. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Where can I get help?

If betting stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, private help any time of day.

Sources

PGA Tour — Stats Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Hole and scoring statistics
USGA — Rules of Golf Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Official rules of golf
Wizard of Odds — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Sports betting math
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER