JAACOB BOWDEN
Coach, Trainer & Pro Golfer
Hole-In-One
Straight Shots & 10 Hole-In-Ones
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!
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!
1st Hole-In-One at Peter Hay Golf Course
November 06, 2004 13:46 Filed in: Miscellaneous | Hole-In-One
Recorded first hole-in-one at the 9th hole of Peter Hay Golf Course, a 9-iron from about 74 yards!!!
2nd Hole-In-One at Peter Hay Golf Course
October 09, 2005 12:32 Filed in: Miscellaneous | Hole-In-One
Had 2nd hole-in-one ever on #8 at Peter Hay Golf Course!
3rd Hole-In-One at Peter Hay Golf Course
October 10, 2006 11:39 Filed in: Miscellaneous | Hole-In-One
Got 3rd ever hole-in-one...on the 3rd hole at Peter Hay Golf Course in Pebble Beach, CA!!!