The record for the most holes-in-one during a single, 18-hole round of golf is three. This mind-boggling achievement has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records and stands as a testament to what is possible when perfect shots meet incredible fortune. This article breaks down that legendary round, explores the astronomical odds, and gives you practical, coach-approved advice to help you start hunting for an ace of your own.
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The Day Lightning Struck Three Times
Imagine making a hole-in-one. The explosion of joy, the high-fives, the story you'll tell for the rest of your life. Now, imagine doing it again just a few holes later. Impossible, right? Try doing it a third time before you head to the clubhouse. That's exactly what amateur golfer Patrick Wills did.
On June 22, 2015, during the Scramble Fore-Mathew golf tournament at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Virginia, Wills accomplished what most of us can barely dream of. Playing in a four-man scramble format, he single-handedly aced three separate par-3s.
The 4th Hole: A perfect 8-iron from 150 yards.
The 7th Hole: A sweet 7-iron from 170 yards.
The 11th Hole: A beautifully struck 9-iron from 135 yards.
This wasn't just beginner's luck. Wills was a low-handicap golfer, meaning he had the skill to consistently put the ball near the pin. However, to see three shots find the bottom of the cup in a single afternoon goes far beyond skill. What makes his record so robust is that it was achieved in a sanctioned tournament setting with credible witnesses, leaving no room for doubt.
What About Other Legendary Tales?
You may have heard other wild stories, like the unofficial tale of Norman Manley reportedly making four aces in a round back in 1964. While an incredible story, it lacks the official verification of a feat like Wills'. In the official books, and in a way that is undisputed, three remains the high-water mark for a single 18-hole round.
Even the legendary Mancil Davis, famously known as the "King of Aces" with a reported 51 holes-in-one over his lifetime, has claimed two aces in a round several times but never three. This context truly highlights the singularity of Patrick Wills' achievement.
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To fully appreciate this record, you have to understand the probability stacked against it. Staring at these numbers helps you grasp just how cosmic an alignment of skill and luck is needed.
According to the National Hole-In-One Registry, the odds for an amateur golfer are:
Making one hole-in-one: Approximately 12,500 to 1.
Making two holes-in-one in the same round: Approximately 67,000,000 to 1 (that's 67 million to one).
The odds of making three aces in one round? There isn't even an official number because it's so statistically insignificant it's almost a rounding error. Unofficially, you are looking at odds well into the billions to one. You have a significantly better chance of winning the lottery or being struck by lightning than you do of carding two aces in one round, let alone three.
These numbers prove that while you can't get an ace without hitting a great shot, a huge dose of good fortune is the final ingredient.
Skill + Luck: The Perfect Combination for an Ace
So, is a hole-in-one pure, dumb luck? Not entirely. From a coaching perspective, I see it as skill creating the opportunity for luck to happen. Think of it this way: a high-handicap golfer who rarely hits the green on a par-3 technically has a 0% chance of making an ace on that shot. Skill is what puts you in the conversation.
Skill is:
Knowing your exact carry distances for every iron in your bag.
Having a repeatable, consistent swing that produces a predictable ball flight.
Mastering trajectory control to handle wind and firm greens.
Developing a strategic mind to aim for the right spot on the green, not just blindly at the pin.
Luck is:
The gust of wind that pushes a good shot toward the hole.
The soft bounce on the green instead of a hard one.
The perfect, snaking roll that follows the break just right and dives into the cup.
You can't control luck. But you can absolutely improve your skill. By becoming a better par-3 player, you significantly increase the number of times you give luck a chance to show up.
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You don't need to chase records to experience the thrill of a lifetime. By focusing on smart, fundamental practices, you can turn your par-3 performance into a strength and get that much closer to seeing one of your shots disappear.
1. Dial In Your Distances
This is the foundation. You must stop guessing your yardages. "This feels like a 7-iron" is not good enough. Use a laser rangefinder or GPS watch to get a precise number to the flag. Then, you need to know, without a doubt, how far you carry each of your irons. Spend time on a launch monitor or find a clear spot on the range to document your carry numbers. Smart decisions begin with accurate information.
2. Play for the Fat Part of the Green
This might sound counter-intuitive when you're "hunting" for an ace, but tour players do this all day. Your primary goal on any par-3 is to hit the green. A shot that lands an inch off the green has a 0% chance of going in. A shot that lands in the middle of the green has a chance. Aiming for the center gives you the biggest margin for error. On top of that, many greens are designed to slope and funnel toward pin locations. By playing to the safe, wide area, you'll not only make more pars, but you'll also give the terrain a chance to work for you and feed your ball toward the hole.
3. Use the Green's Slopes to Your Advantage
Before you pull a club, take a moment to read the green. Is the pin on the left side of a green that slopes hard from right to left? Aim 10-15 feet right of the hole and let gravity do the work. If the pin is tucked behind a bunker, is there a "backstop" slope behind it you can use? Hitting great iron shots isn't just about good ball-striking, it's about playing a game of angles and seeing how the ground can help you.
4. Become the Master of Your Trajectory
Distance is only half the battle. Learning to control your shot's height is a huge separator.
Into the wind? Play the ball slightly back in your stance, make a smooth, three-quarter swing, and hit a low, piercing "knockdown" that won't get bullied by the breeze.
Downwind? Feel free to hit a higher shot and let it ride the wind for a little extra distance and a soft landing.
Once you can reliably flight your irons low, medium, and high, you'll be able to attack any par-3, in any condition, with confidence.
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"It went in!" Your heart's pounding, your friends are shouting. So, what do you do now? Besides celebrating, of course.
Verify It: Walk up to the green with your group. Tradition dictates you should let someone else pull the ball from the hole. Soak it in!
Preserve the Memory: Save that golf ball! Write the date, hole, course, and club used on it with a Sharpie and put it somewhere safe. Be sure to grab the scorecard, have your partners sign it, and save it as well.
Hit the Clubhouse: The tradition is for the lucky golfer to buy a round of drinks for their playing partners. Some choose to extend this to anyone in the clubhouse bar. While a great gesture, buying drinks for just your group is perfectly acceptable. Don't feel obligated to foot the entire bar's tab unless you want to!
Register It: For an official memento, you can register your hole-in-one with services like the National Hole-in-One Registry. Many provide a commemorative certificate.
Making an ace is an unforgettable moment. Handling the aftermath correctly ensures the memory lasts forever.
Final Thoughts
The record for the most holes-in-one in a single round is a near-mythical three, a brilliant fusion of expert skill and once-in-a-billion luck. While getting anywhere close to that record isn't a realistic goal, improving your strategy and skill on par-3s is something every golfer can do. By making smarter choices and hitting more confident shots, you dramatically increase your own odds of experiencing that single, unforgettable moment.
When you boil it down, improving on par-3s is about eliminating guesswork and committing to your shot. This is exactly where using a tool like Caddie AI can become your secret weapon. When you're facing that tough, 165-yard shot over water, you can ask for an instant club recommendation and a smart plan for how to attack the hole. It removes uncertainty and helps you swing with real conviction, knowing you've made the smartest play – and that confidence is what turns good shots into ones you'll remember for a lifetime.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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