If you get a hole in one and nobody witnesses it, did it really happen?

First off let’s be clear. I did NOT get a hole in one . But, I came awfully darn close on Tuesday of this week. Probably the closest I’ve ever come to bagging one. Now I realize and understand that the vast majority of golfers will play their entire lives and never get one, while others of widely ranging caliber will shoot multiple hole-in-one’s in their lifetime.

But my close call the other day got me to thinking. In some ways my experience is like a tree falling in the forest. If their is no-one there to hear it, did it really happen? Well, if I shoot a hole-in-one when no-one is around, did it really happen?

Maria and have spent this past week at Massanutten Resort in McGaheysville Virginia and I have golfed every day. On Tuesday I was playing the Woodstone Meadows course and on the 150 yard, par three 13th hole my tee shot landed just short of the green, rolled up towards the hole and actually lipped the cup before ending up up about 18 inches directly behind it.

But here’s my dilemma. During my quest I often play a round of golf by myself. Sometimes I will get paired up with another single player or perhaps teamed up with a couple but more often that not, I will be on my own. So as stated before, if I ever do get a hole in one when I’m on my own, will it count?

For sure my wife and my close friends will take me at face value and believe that I accomplished the feat. But unless I’m taking video of every time I tee off, getting evidence of it might be difficult. I suppose there is a bright side to all of this. Since there might not be anyone to witness it, I won’t be needing to buy anyone drinks in the clubhouse!

Below is the video I shot as I approached the green and caught my first glimpse at how close I was. You have to look really closely to the hole, in the shadow of the pin to see the ball. Apologies for the shaky video, but only had my cell phone and it was quite windy.