We've had some pretty good hole-in-one stories recently - the 102-year-old who made an ace; the beginning golfer (who'd never even had a birdie) who made two aces in the span of five holes ... with Rick Smith watching - but to me, 51 career aces seems pretty hard to beat.
Unless you're Norman Manley, an amateur from California who claims 59 career aces. Most of Mancil Davis' 51 aces are well-documented, and Davis is regarded as the world recordholder for holes-in-one by a professional (Davis is a PGA of America member who briefly played on the PGA Tour and was once the director of golf at The Woodlands).
Davis' Web site includes some fun factoids about his feats:
- 51 career aces
- 10 career double-eagles
- Made a hole-in-one with every club except putter, SW and PW
- Has made 5 aces on the same hole (No. 2 at Odessa Country Club in Odessa, Texas)
- Has aced all four par-3 holes on one course (Trophy Club in Roanoke, Texas, where he also served as director of golf)
- Made at least one hole-in-one per year from 1967-87
Yep, that's a pretty good hole-in-one record. For the sake of comparison, here are the number of holes-in-one by some much more famous golfers:
- Jack Nicklaus - 20
- Arnold Palmer - 19
- Gary Player - 19
- Tiger Woods - 18
- Michelle Wie - 6
- Fred Couples - 3
See also:
Odds of making a hole-in-one
Odds of making a double-eagle
Comments
CHECK OUT ART WALL PGA PROFESSIONAL THAT WON THE MASTERS IN 1959…I BELIEVE HE HAS HAD OVER 50 HOLE IN ONES…MY HUSBAND IS GOOD FRIEND WITH HIS SON GREG WALL, PGA PROFESSIONAL AT POCONO MANOR, PA. I DONLT SEE HIM ON THE LIST…IT IS ACTUALLY DOCUMENTED AT THE GOLF HALL OF FAME.
Bob Nichols Jr. has made 27 verified hole in ones during 18 hole rounds along with 7others that were in matches that were less than 18 holes or playing alone. He also has 4 double eagles -all witnessed.His home course in Toledo ,Ohio not only did he ace every par 3(5of them)he also has eagled every hole on the golf course with hole outs or hitting the 3 par 5’s in 2-too many times to ever keep track of! His hole in ones have won him aFord F-150,Cadillac and thousands in other prizes. This is document with the USGA because he has lost his amateur status twice because of his hole in one winnings.To show his ability to play golf he shot a 59 on another course in Toledo area along with having the course record at different 4 courses at one time or another.He moved to Florida one year ago this month and already -one ace-one double eagle and several hole outs. It is mind boggling to watch him at times- if he goes more than 2 rounds without a chip in something is wrong.Played with him one day where he holed out from 90 yards and had 2 other chip ins to go with it.I put him up there with anybody on aces.
I am 61 years old and feb 10 2009 made a hole in one on a 335yd par 4 all carry and 20ft of roll. Glenbrook Golf Course Houston,TX
Pro Art Lopez
Do yoy know if somebody has made 2 consecutive hole in one in the same round?
Mancil’s complete record of holes in one is posted at his new website HoleInOneKing.com
Just an update on Nichols-he has now made 32 hole in ones with the most recent one today October 22nd which gives him 5 for this year alone. I was in the group ahead of him at Sable Trace in North Port, Florida and watched it hit next to the hole take one hop above the hole and spin back in. He is standing on the tee laughing as all the guys in the group were going crazy. A friend of mine that knows both of us said that the last time he was playing with us Bob had made ace and Bob Nichols said it’s good you are back because he had been playing bad and the rest is history.
I would like to know what is the longest time in between hole in one’s, my first was in 1972 and my second was 12/12/2009 37 years later
I know of a Women in Ahwahnee CA who has 11 Hole-in-One’s what is the Record for Women in California? Her name is Alice Joyce Norman she approx. 70 some years old.
My father, Ralph Pennington, who will be 84 this August just had his 10th hole in one on June 17th at Sugarwood Golf Club, Lavalette, W.VA. He regularly shoots in the 70’s and over the past years has shot below his age so often it is just expected. He introduced me to the game at an early age and while I’ll never have his skills I did have a hole in one June 4, 2007 at Little Turtle Country Club, Westerville, OH and won $10,000 at the Gahanna Chamber of Commerce golf outing! I’m a very lucky daughter who is blessed to still be able to golf with her dad.
I played with Norman Manlry. big Liar. I doubt he even has 5 hole in 1s. He claimed the course record at Industry Hills in So Cal 20 years ago like a 65. He couldn’t break 80 if his lfe depended on it.
I’ve played golf for 55 years, and have never had a hole-in-one. CRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAP!