Golf is a game of millimeters. We see it every Sunday on the PGA Tour—a putt wobbles on the lip, a drive catches a flyer, or a chip checks up just short. But then there's the ace. The "one." It’s the ultimate stroke of luck-meets-skill that every amateur golfer dreams of while hacking through the woods on a Saturday morning. Most people think a hole in one is a 150-yard fluke on a par 3. But have you ever stopped to think about a long hole in one? I’m talking about distances that should be physically impossible for a single swing of a golf club.
It happens. Not often, obviously. We are talking about events so rare they make winning the lottery look like a statistical certainty.
The standard par 3 ace is impressive, sure. But the sports world occasionally witnesses something that breaks the logic of the game: the par 4 ace, also known as a "condor" or a double eagle. When someone hits a long hole in one on a par 4 or, in incredibly rare cases, a par 5, they aren't just playing golf. They are participating in a freak atmospheric event.
The Record That Shouldn't Exist: Mike Crean’s 517-Yard Miracle
Let’s get straight to the heavy hitter. If you want to talk about the absolute limit of what a human can do with a stick and a ball, you have to talk about Mike Crean. In 2002, at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado, Crean did something that sounds like a tall tale told in a clubhouse bar after too many drinks.
He aced the 517-yard 9th hole.
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Yes, you read that correctly. A 517-yard long hole in one.
It wasn't a par 3. It was a par 5. Now, before you assume he’s a superhuman with 200 mph clubhead speed, you have to look at the context. Denver is the "Mile High City." The air is thin. Physics dictates that a ball travels significantly further when the air resistance is lower. Add in a massive tailwind and a concrete-hard fairway, and you have the recipe for a miracle. Crean used a driver. He caught it flush. The ball didn’t just fly; it launched, caught a gust, hit a downslope, and supposedly rolled forever until it found the bottom of the cup.
There were witnesses, though some skeptics still point to the lack of video evidence. But the USGA and the Guinness World Records recognized it. It remains the longest hole in one ever recorded in the history of the sport.
Why a Long Hole in One is a Different Beast Entirely
Think about your local par 3. It’s maybe 160 yards. You hit an 8-iron or a 7-iron. You can see the flag. You can see the green. You’re aiming at a target.
When you’re talking about a long hole in one on a par 4, the psychology changes. Most golfers aren't even trying to make it. They’re just trying to "get it close" or clear a hazard. Take Andrew Magee, for instance. He holds the distinction of recording the first-ever ace on a par 4 in PGA Tour history. This happened in 2001 at the Phoenix Open, specifically on the 332-yard 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
The crazy part? Magee wasn't even waiting for the green to clear.
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He teed off while the group ahead was still on the putting surface. His ball didn’t just roll into the hole—it actually deflected off Tom Byrum’s putter and went in. It’s arguably the most famous long hole in one because it happened during a professional tournament with cameras rolling. It wasn't "clean," but in golf, there are no pictures on the scorecard. Just numbers.
The Physics of the "Mega-Ace"
How does a ball actually travel 300, 400, or 500 yards and find a 4.25-inch hole?
It’s a combination of three factors:
- Altitude: As mentioned with Crean, thin air is the golfer's best friend for distance.
- Ground Conditions: You aren't getting a 400-yard ace on lush, damp grass. You need "links-style" firmness—ground that acts like a trampoline.
- The "Kick": Every long ace involves a lucky bounce. The ball has to hit a slope or a "speed slot" in the fairway that funnels it toward the green.
Honestly, it's more about geography than swing mechanics. You could have the smoothest swing in the world, but if the fairway is flat and the grass is long, that ball is stopping at 290 yards. To get a long hole in one, the stars have to align. You need the wind at your back, a firm landing area, and a greenside contour that feeds the ball toward the pin.
It’s chaotic. It’s beautiful. It’s golf.
Notable Condors: The Rarest Bird in Sports
If a hole in one is an "eagle" (on a par 3), then a hole in one on a par 5 is a "condor." This is the rarest event in golf. While thousands of aces are recorded every year globally, there are only a handful of verified condors in history.
One of the most legendary occurred in 1962. Kevin Murray hit a drive on a 480-yard par 5 at Christ Church Golf Club in England. He didn't even know it went in. He thought he’d lost the ball. Imagine the shock of walking up to a par 5 green, looking for your ball in the bunker, and finding it at the bottom of the cup. That’s a 4-under-par score on a single hole.
Then there's Shaun Lynch. In 1995, he used a 3-iron. Wait, what? A 3-iron for a 496-yard hole?
This happened at Teign Valley Golf Club. The hole was a massive dogleg. Lynch didn't follow the fairway; he aimed directly over a 20-foot hedge and a massive hill, taking a shortcut that cut the distance down significantly. The ball cleared the obstacles, hit the downslope on the other side, and tracked all the way to the hole. This highlights a key point about the long hole in one: it often involves "cutting the corner" on dogleg holes.
The Amateur Factor: Can You Actually Do This?
You've probably heard someone at the range bragging about their 300-yard drives. The reality is that the average amateur golfer carries the ball about 215 yards. So, is a long hole in one out of reach for the Sunday hacker?
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Not necessarily.
Since most long aces rely on roll rather than carry, anyone who can get the ball moving forward has a puncher's chance on the right hole. If you’re playing a downhill par 4 that measures 280 yards, and the ground is baked out in the middle of July, a well-struck drive could easily find the surface.
The "lucky" element of golf is the great equalizer. You don't have to be Rory McIlroy to have a ball catch a lucky ridge.
Misconceptions About High-Distance Aces
People often think these shots are the result of "hero golf." They assume the player was "going for it."
In reality, many recorded instances of a long hole in one are accidental. Many golfers are just trying to put the ball in play. On a par 4, you're usually aiming for the fat part of the green or the front edge. The fact that it goes in is usually a surprise to the player.
Another misconception is that technology is making these more common. While modern drivers and "hot" golf balls definitely help, the most famous long aces happened decades ago. It’s more about the course setup and the weather than it is about having the latest $600 titanium driver.
What to Do If You Witness or Hit a Long Ace
If you ever find yourself standing on a tee box and watching your ball disappear into the cup on a par 4, there are a few things you need to do immediately.
- Check for Witnesses: A long hole in one is a massive claim. If nobody saw it, it’s just a story. Make sure your playing partners see the ball in the hole before you touch it.
- Document the Hole: Take a photo of the tee marker, the GPS or laser rangefinder reading, and the ball in the cup.
- Check the Local Rules: Some clubs have specific "Hole in One" insurance or registries.
- Prepare Your Wallet: The oldest tradition in golf is that the person who hits the ace buys drinks for the clubhouse. If you hit a 400-yard ace, expect the tab to be high—everyone will want to hear the story.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Ace-Maker
While you can't exactly "practice" hitting a 350-yard hole in one, you can put yourself in the best position to let luck happen.
- Target Selection: Look for "short" par 4s on the scorecard (under 320 yards). These are your best candidates for a career-defining shot.
- Play the Conditions: If you’re playing in high-altitude areas like Colorado or Utah, or during a dry spell where fairways are firm, use the extra roll to your advantage. Aim for the "speed slots."
- Club Down for Accuracy: Sometimes a 3-wood that stays straight and rolls is better than a driver that carries further but ends up in the rough. You can't get a long hole in one from the tall grass.
- Check the Pin Position: Aces usually happen when the pin is in a "bowl" or at the bottom of a slope. If the flag is on a plateau, your chances are practically zero.
Next time you’re standing on a short par 4, don't just think about the layup. Look at the contours of the land. See where the ball wants to go. Golf is a game of skill, but every now and then, the universe decides to give you a nudge. Whether it's 150 yards or 500, a hole in one is a moment of pure, unadulterated magic. Just make sure someone is watching.