JAACOB BOWDEN
Professional Golfer & Explorer
Hole-In-One
It's Not So Easy To Make a Hole-In-One
August 11, 2025 17:11
It’s not so easy to make a hole-in-one, even on a short little 35-yard hole on a par 3 course. In fact, from just 25 yards in the fairway, pros will only make the shot about 1 in 105 times.
The full episode is on my YouTube Channel.
The full episode is on my YouTube Channel.
Can I Make A Hole-In-One In 100 Tries?
August 07, 2025 11:51
Can I make a hole-in-one on the 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit?
It’s a short par-3 course, and this hole is only 35 yards. I’m playing off a mat to protect the tee box, and it’s not a traditional round.
Still, the shot isn’t simple. I’ve got to go under a tree and over a bunker. The wind varies. I can’t see the cup. The slope near the hole is an illegally steep 7.51%—for context, the PGA TOUR typically limits pin placements to slopes between 0–4%.
A statistician told me that the odds of a pro like me holing out from just 25 yards in the fairway are about 1 in 105. From 35 yards, with these conditions? The odds are definitely worse.
Mathematically, I shouldn’t make it.
But can clear intention help beat the odds?
Let's explore it!
It’s a short par-3 course, and this hole is only 35 yards. I’m playing off a mat to protect the tee box, and it’s not a traditional round.
Still, the shot isn’t simple. I’ve got to go under a tree and over a bunker. The wind varies. I can’t see the cup. The slope near the hole is an illegally steep 7.51%—for context, the PGA TOUR typically limits pin placements to slopes between 0–4%.
A statistician told me that the odds of a pro like me holing out from just 25 yards in the fairway are about 1 in 105. From 35 yards, with these conditions? The odds are definitely worse.
Mathematically, I shouldn’t make it.
But can clear intention help beat the odds?
Let's explore it!
Hole-In-One Alert at Belle Isle Golf Detroit
July 14, 2025 17:44
Hole-In-One alert on the Par 3 65-yard 1st Hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit!
This is number 11 for me between Belle Isle and the old Pebble Beach Peter Hay Golf Course (since redesigned by Tiger Woods as The Hay).
Video? No.
Witness? No.
AI? No.
Relatively short? Yes.
Still unlikely, really hard to do, and lots of fun? Yes!
Time: 6:31pm
Temperature: 82 Degrees Fahreneheit
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Wind: 10mph SW
Ball: Titleist
Club: SterlingIrons.com 55-degree Sand Wedge bent to 57-degrees
Glove: Footjoy
Shaft: True Temper Sports Project X LZ 6.0 120-grams
Grip: Golf Pride with Arccos Golf Sensor
My others at Belle Isle Golf Detroit and Pebble Beach Peter Hay Golf Course:
- 1st - Saturday, November 6th, 2004, 9th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course with a 9-iron from 74 yards
- 2nd - Sunday, October 9th, 2005, 8th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 3rd - Tuesday, October 10th, 2006, 3rd hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 4th - Friday, September 22nd, 2023, 6th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit with a SW from 45 yards
- 5th - Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (on video)
- 6th - Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 3rd hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (on video)
- 7th - Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 3rd hole again at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (on video)
- 8th - Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 5th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (have reaction camera video footage but green side camera failed)
- 9th - Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 5th hole again at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (have reaction camera video footage but green side camera failed)
- 10th - Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit with a sand wedge, temperature 67 degrees, 11mph WNW wind
- 11th - Sunday, July 13, 2025, 1st hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit with a sand wedge, temperature 82 degrees, 10mph SW wind
WANT TO SUPPORT THE JOURNEY?
- YouTube – Like, subscribe, comment, share, and click on ads
- SwingManGolf.com – Train online + help me transition the site to Gen 4 (targeting Fall 2025)
- Venmo – Send a tip to @jaacobbowdenllc
- Sponsor Me – Reach out for private or corporate partnership opportunities
MORE FROM ME:
- SterlingIrons.com – The single-length irons I created
This is number 11 for me between Belle Isle and the old Pebble Beach Peter Hay Golf Course (since redesigned by Tiger Woods as The Hay).
Video? No.
Witness? No.
AI? No.
Relatively short? Yes.
Still unlikely, really hard to do, and lots of fun? Yes!
Time: 6:31pm
Temperature: 82 Degrees Fahreneheit
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Wind: 10mph SW
Ball: Titleist
Club: SterlingIrons.com 55-degree Sand Wedge bent to 57-degrees
Glove: Footjoy
Shaft: True Temper Sports Project X LZ 6.0 120-grams
Grip: Golf Pride with Arccos Golf Sensor
My others at Belle Isle Golf Detroit and Pebble Beach Peter Hay Golf Course:
- 1st - Saturday, November 6th, 2004, 9th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course with a 9-iron from 74 yards
- 2nd - Sunday, October 9th, 2005, 8th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 3rd - Tuesday, October 10th, 2006, 3rd hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 4th - Friday, September 22nd, 2023, 6th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit with a SW from 45 yards
- 5th - Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (on video)
- 6th - Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 3rd hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (on video)
- 7th - Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 3rd hole again at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (on video)
- 8th - Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 5th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (have reaction camera video footage but green side camera failed)
- 9th - Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 5th hole again at Belle Isle Golf Detroit from 35 yards (have reaction camera video footage but green side camera failed)
- 10th - Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit with a sand wedge, temperature 67 degrees, 11mph WNW wind
- 11th - Sunday, July 13, 2025, 1st hole at Belle Isle Golf Detroit with a sand wedge, temperature 82 degrees, 10mph SW wind
WANT TO SUPPORT THE JOURNEY?
- YouTube – Like, subscribe, comment, share, and click on ads
- SwingManGolf.com – Train online + help me transition the site to Gen 4 (targeting Fall 2025)
- Venmo – Send a tip to @jaacobbowdenllc
- Sponsor Me – Reach out for private or corporate partnership opportunities
MORE FROM ME:
- SterlingIrons.com – The single-length irons I created
Straight Shots & 10 Hole-In-Ones
October 08, 2024 23:32
When I first started playing golf, I was a typical slicer. As I improved and eventually turned pro at 27, even though cuts and slices are perfectly usable shots, I was so traumatized by slicing that I made my stock shot a slight draw. However, it was a tight enough draw that it looked straight to me, even though it was technically drawing.
Lately, I've been having fun experimenting with getting my stock shot to average out as a perfectly straight shot with zero feet of curve, utilizing a sweet spot strike and 0-degree angle of attack, swing path, face angle, a face-to-path.
Playing Sterling Irons single length irons makes that a bit easier because those are all designed to be played from a single ball position, which I place directly in the middle of my stance to help achieve a zero path. Since I sweep or pick the ball for more consistent overall contact and try to avoid taking divots, that center ball position also helps me maintain a zero angle of attack. From there, it was just a matter of getting the face angle and face-to-path to be zero, which I achieved by weakening my grip.
It's been a tricky transition because I was so accustomed to seeing that tight draw as straight. When I used launch monitors to confirm I was hitting truly straight shots, the ball flight looked like a slight fade to my eye. Plus, my history with slicing made me hesitant about anything that felt like swinging across the ball and fanning the face open—even when the result was a straight shot.
I’m starting to get more comfortable with it now. So far, my longest zero-curve shot, verified with technology, is 160.9 yards, which isn't too surprising because I practice a lot with my 8-iron.
Yesterday, I holed one out on the TopTracer range with a sand wedge. It was only a 40-yard shot, but seeing that proximity at zero feet was really cool.
Then today, while playing with a friend who operates Belle Isle Golf Detroit, I got my 10th hole-in-one, all spread across Pebble Beach's Peter Hay Golf Course and Belle Isle Golf Detroit.
Here’s the list:
Interestingly, Tuesday is by far my most popular day to get a hole-in-one. I guess I just need to play more on Monday and Thursday to see if I can get one every day of the week!.
Lately, I've been having fun experimenting with getting my stock shot to average out as a perfectly straight shot with zero feet of curve, utilizing a sweet spot strike and 0-degree angle of attack, swing path, face angle, a face-to-path.
Playing Sterling Irons single length irons makes that a bit easier because those are all designed to be played from a single ball position, which I place directly in the middle of my stance to help achieve a zero path. Since I sweep or pick the ball for more consistent overall contact and try to avoid taking divots, that center ball position also helps me maintain a zero angle of attack. From there, it was just a matter of getting the face angle and face-to-path to be zero, which I achieved by weakening my grip.
It's been a tricky transition because I was so accustomed to seeing that tight draw as straight. When I used launch monitors to confirm I was hitting truly straight shots, the ball flight looked like a slight fade to my eye. Plus, my history with slicing made me hesitant about anything that felt like swinging across the ball and fanning the face open—even when the result was a straight shot.
I’m starting to get more comfortable with it now. So far, my longest zero-curve shot, verified with technology, is 160.9 yards, which isn't too surprising because I practice a lot with my 8-iron.
Yesterday, I holed one out on the TopTracer range with a sand wedge. It was only a 40-yard shot, but seeing that proximity at zero feet was really cool.
Then today, while playing with a friend who operates Belle Isle Golf Detroit, I got my 10th hole-in-one, all spread across Pebble Beach's Peter Hay Golf Course and Belle Isle Golf Detroit.
Here’s the list:
- 1st - Saturday, November 6th, 2004, 9th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course with a 9-iron from 74 yards
- 2nd - Sunday, October 9th, 2005, 8th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 3rd - Tuesday, October 10th, 2006, 3rd hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 4th - Friday, September 22nd, 2023, 6th hole at Belle Isle Golf with a SW from 45 yards
- 5th - Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf from 35 yards (on video)
- 6th - Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 3rd hole at Belle Isle Golf from 35 yards (on video)
- 7th - Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 3rd hole again at Belle Isle Golf from 35 yards (on video)
- 8th - Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 5th hole at Belle Isle Golf from 35 yards (have reaction camera video footage but green side camera failed)
- 9th - Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 5th hole again at Belle Isle Golf from 35 yards (have reaction camera video footage but green side camera failed)
- 10th - Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, 4th hole at Belle Isle Golf with a sand wedge, temperature 67 degrees, 11mph WNW wind
Interestingly, Tuesday is by far my most popular day to get a hole-in-one. I guess I just need to play more on Monday and Thursday to see if I can get one every day of the week!.
Achieving the Unbelievable: Hole-In-One Victory at Belle Isle Golf!
September 23, 2023 12:46
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL
🚨 Hole in one ALERT on the 45 yard 6th hole at Belle Isle Golf!!!
Details: Last day of summer. 6:41pm. Sunny. Clear skies. 73 degrees. 8 mph headwind. Sterling Irons SW bent to 57 degrees. Titleist ProV1x Left Dash golf ball.
This is my 4th hole in one and I'm getting closer to a hole-in-one for every day of the week, haha!
In the time since I first started playing Belle Isle Golf in 2021, I've come close so many times.
In fact, just last week I hit the flag stick on #2 and almost hole out on #4 and #5.
After all the close calls, it's nice to finally get another one to drop!
🚨 Hole in one ALERT on the 45 yard 6th hole at Belle Isle Golf!!!
Are you on Instagram and have you had a hole-in-one? I'd love to hear your story! Tell me about it in the comments above!
Details: Last day of summer. 6:41pm. Sunny. Clear skies. 73 degrees. 8 mph headwind. Sterling Irons SW bent to 57 degrees. Titleist ProV1x Left Dash golf ball.
This is my 4th hole in one and I'm getting closer to a hole-in-one for every day of the week, haha!
- 1st - Saturday, November 6, 2004, 9th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course with a 9-iron from 74 yards
- 2nd - Sunday, October 9th, 2005, 8th hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 3rd - Tuesday, October 10th 2006, 3rd hole at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course
- 4th - Friday, September 22nd, 2023, 6th hole at Belle Isle Golf with a SW from 45 yards
In the time since I first started playing Belle Isle Golf in 2021, I've come close so many times.
In fact, just last week I hit the flag stick on #2 and almost hole out on #4 and #5.
After all the close calls, it's nice to finally get another one to drop!
3rd Hole-In-One at Peter Hay Golf Course
October 10, 2006 11:39
Got 3rd ever hole-in-one...on the 3rd hole at Peter Hay Golf Course in Pebble Beach, CA!!!
2nd Hole-In-One at Peter Hay Golf Course
October 09, 2005 12:32
Had 2nd hole-in-one ever on #8 at Peter Hay Golf Course!
1st Hole-In-One at Peter Hay Golf Course
November 06, 2004 13:46
Recorded first hole-in-one at the 9th hole of Peter Hay Golf Course, a 9-iron from about 74 yards!!!