KARZMER: Aces can come with special pricetag

Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to play in The Lake Club’s annual Member-Guest Championship. Always a great time, this year’s final round got off to an extra special start when a great friend of mine, Dr. James Lessick, made a hole-in-one with his first swing of the day on the tough par three 11th hole.

It was a great start to a great day. But it did get me thinking. With all the traditions that come with a hole-in-one (buying drinks, adrenaline rushes and did I mention the drinks): Are all holes-in-one great? And are some times actually better than others for the elusive ace?

So let’s address the first question: are all holes-in-ones great? Well, as my friend Jimmy Phillips says, the golf scorecard “is math, not art.”

And he’s correct — numbers don’t lie. A one is a one is a one. So whether it was a nice high draw, a punch fade, or a close your eyes and hope worm burner, if you get to write “1” down on the scorecard, it must have been a great shot.

Now for the second question: are some times better than others for an ace? I think the clear answer is most definitely yes.

Let’s be honest here: what is the first thing you think of when you hear someone got a hole-in-one? Or what’s the first thing you think of when someone asks what would you do if you got a hole-in-one on this hole? I’m guessing if you’re over 21 (political correctness), the answer involves some form of alcohol.

Whether you’re a regular at your course’s 19th hole establishment or not, buying and receiving drinks after a hole-in-one seems to be one of golf’s most well-known traditions.

So to accurately diagnose the question from above, one must first have an understanding of his or her “hole-in-one environment”.

Does your course offer a hole-in-one fund? How many people will be in the 19th hole when you get done? And are you able to have a drink or two immediately after the shot without screwing up the rest of your round?

Take my friend Doc Lessick for example. Of course he was ecstatic to make a hole in one with his first swing of the day!

But don’t forget about the 131 thirsty guys waiting to celebrate with him after the round. Or the fact that he had a lot to play for that day.

Luckily for the Doc, The Lake Club has a continual hole-in-one fund that helped offset his traditional post-round drink purchases.

I’m sure if the exact opposite scenario were the case, Doc would still have been ecstatic to make a one. As would, I’m guessing, 99.9 percent of the golfers reading this.

All I’m saying is, for someone who hears “if I make a one right here I would” all the time, be careful what you ask for.

You just may hit that perfect shot and get what you ask for.

Jonah Karzmer is a former golf professional who writes a Sunday golf column for The Vindicator. In his spare time he sells commercial insurance and loves getting feedback on his weekly columns via email at Jonah@thekarzmerinsurance.com.