golf and bowling...

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hello, everyone. This is my first post, so be kind.

A debate with my brother and father has led me to ask this question here. Sparing you the details of how it started, I will just pose the question:
Which is easier for the AVERAGE person: getting a hole in one while golfing, or bowling a perfect (300) game? One side argues that a hole in one is easier because you make a good shot and then luck takes over. Plus, they argue, our newspaper regularly lists the names of local golfers who’ve gotten a hole in one (this is true). They contend that a 300 game requires 12 “perfect” acts (the 12 strikes), rather than just one.

The other side contends that the 300 game is infinitely easier. They say that ANYONE who goes bowling can bowl a strike, provided they can lift and roll the ball; then they just have to repeat this task (albeit a difficult one) 11 more times. They also point to the fact that a bowler is working indoors without wind, weather, or obstacles.

Again, we’re talking about average folks here, not pro golfers or bowlers, just weekend warriors. What do you think?

2

You didn’t say whether or not your local newspaper prints the names of those who bowl 300 games. Perhaps it happens so frequently that it’s not worthy of mention in the newspaper? Or perhaps it happens so rarely that you never see it mentioned in the paper?

Just a WAG, but either way, I’d have to say that bowling a 300 is easier. What are the odds of a weekend warrior bowling a strike on any given roll? Take that figure and take it to the 12th power. That is, if the odds of bowling a strike on any one frame are 1:2, then the odds of bowling twelve strikes consecutively are 1:4096. The odds of getting a hole in one must be in the neigborhood of 1:1,000,000.

3

Welcome to the SDMB! Your first post might end up getting moved to another forum, but I will hazard a guess.

I have both bowled and golfed and I have neither scored a hole-in-one or bowled a 300. However, I have been very close to getting a hole-in-one (I’ve been within a foot of the cup twice.)

I’ve been nowhere near bowling a 300.

The problem with bowling a 300 for an average bowler is that is probably harder for that person to get a strike in the first frame than any other since they just aren’t as familiar with the lanes, ball, etc.

4

I have read many stories (Golf, Golf Digest, etc.) of folks scoring holes in one on thier first time golfing. Have never heard of anyone bowling 300 their first time out. And my experience with people who don’t bowl regularly suggest it would be incredibly unlikely. While the biggest duffer in the world could always shank one off a tree, down the cart path, through the bunker and in the cup.

“Easier” is a problemmatic term, because I submit a hole in one is a single act of luck, not skill, whereas the 300 game requires consistent flawless performance over, what, at least 10 minutes. Brings in pressure. Knocking a golf shot close to the hole is skill. Sinking it, is luck.

So, I suggest the average person is “more likely” to get the hole in one than the 300 game.

5

To introduce some actual numbers into this discussion, you can take SWAGs about the probabilities.

For an average golfer, I’d estimate that the ball will end up somewhere usually within a 10,000 square-foot area around the hole. I’d guess that there’s about one of those square feet where the ball would go into the cup (the area of the cup itself plus some area behind the cup), so that gives around a 1/10,000 chance for an ace for the average duffer. Maybe a little better, since the cup is at the center of the distribution.

For a good golfer who can cut that area down to 2000 square feet, it would of course be better.

For the average bowler who gets four strikes in a game of 10 attempts (or maybe 11, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt), a 300 game would require twelve acts each with a probability of 0.4, which comes out to around 1/60,000.

For the really good golfer vs. the really good bowler, it’s different. I know a guy who regularly bowls 300 games. I often ask him how long it’s been since his last, and it’s usually two or three weeks at the most. I don’t know any golfers who get aces regularly.

6

a hole in one is mainly luck, better golfers have a higher probility of it because they have more control over their shots, but when it comes down to it, anyone can hit a hole in one. a 300 game OTOH requires skill, a skill that the ave. bowler doesn’t have.
there are definite ways to throw a ball to get a strike, you can take lessons on exactly how to do that. I have never seen a golf lesson on how to get a hole in one

7

I spent a lot of my youth golfing and bowling as well (no, I never scored an ace or a 300 either). I would think that the 300 is more difficult for another reason–during the closing frames the pressure gets greater and greater with each successive strike. One of the workers at my old lanes suggested that there were actually a lot more 299’s, 298’s, etc. than 300’s because people just cracked at the last hurdle. Whereas with a hole-in-one, there is never any pressure because, until the ball actually goes in the hole, you would have no idea that it might happen. So I’ll go for the 300.

8

Golf is a sport for elitist snobs who want to get away from their wives and their jobs long enough to down martinis.

Bowling is a sport for low-class louts who want to get away from their wives and their jobs long enough to swill beer.

I thoroughly enjoy both. :slight_smile:

This thread is better suited to In My Humble Opinion, so I’ll move it there.

9

Neither bowling 300 nor getting a hole-in-one is “easy,” by any means. There are many outstanding pro bowlers who’ve never scored 300, and many champion golfers who’ve never gotten a hole in one.

Still, if the question is, “Which is more likely- an ordinary avergae bowler getting lucky and bowling a 300 game, or an ordinary avergae golfer getting a hole in one”… I’d say the hole-in-one is more likely.

I bowl pretty regularly… when I’m in peak form, my average is about 155 (making me a so-so bowler at best). I have NEVER come close to bowling a 300.

I play golf very rarely- just often enough that I don’t throw away my clubs entirely. But I’ve come within 2 feet of a hole-in-one twice.

Okay, maybe I shouldn’t extrapolate from my own limited experience, but… I am CERTAIN that I’ll never bowl 300. (The highest score I’ve ever reached is 208… not that close.) But I suspect that I could get lucky on a short par 3 hole and get a hole in one through sheer dumb luck (mind you, I’m just as capable of getting an 8 on that same easy hole!)

10

Getting a hole-in-one is definitely easier. And I can cite two examples to prove this (at least in my mind) …

First I should point out I have never shot a hole-in-one while actually playing golf. Nor have I ever rolled a 300 while actually bowling.

But …
I have shot many holes-in-one while playing mini-putt.
I have never bowled a 300 on that weird shuffle board bowling thingamjig at the bar.

I have shot many holes-in-one while playing computer golf.
I have never bowled a 300 while playing computer bowling.

Ergo, holes-in-one are easier than 300’s.

If you’re going to doubt the validity of mini-putt and video games, then I don’t want to hear about it.

:smiley:

11

Okay, first of all let’s just look at logiistics. If someone plays a round of 18 holes in a golf outing - which seems about right - there will be probably on average (taking total Par 3 couurses and regular longer courses into effect) about 8 Par 3’s. Which means the average golfer will have eight tries per day to hit one amazing shot.

The average bowling outing in league play is three games usually. This means that you immediately have about 1/3 the chances just looking at statistics here.

Factor in the fact that a 300 game is bowling 12 strikes in a row. Not just one shot, not even 11.

As for personal evidence, I was known to 'trow a few back in the day. I was not horrible. No danger of going pro, but when I spent my spare time in the pro shop and all money went on equipment, I averaged in the mid 180’s and had a high sanctioned (league play) game and three-game set of 256 and 673 respectively.

But even in practice, the best I could do was nine strikes in a row. And even in the “good” leagues I was a part of back then, in a year you would get maybe 1/2 a dozen perfect games at best. Some houses only get 1/2 that many ion a year of all their leagues.

I think it is WAY easier to get a hole-in-one than bowl a 300 game looking at both stats and my personal evidence.

However, if we take repeat performances, that’s a bit tougher. Some pro bowlers have amassed up to 40, 50, even 70 perfect games in their lifetimes, and this doesn’t include practice sessions where they were knocking them all down over and over again. I would doubt that even Tiger Woods has this many hole-in-one’s.

Why? Because of the luck involved I think. A hole-in-one is way more luck related than skill related in that no matter how good you get, you cannot say, “this is what I have to do to get an eagle on this par three” and make it easily.

Whereas a pro bowler is SUPPOSED to throw a strike. He or she knows how to do it, will do it much more often than not, but the hard part is doing it 12 times in a row and not getting robbed.

Yer pal,
Satan

[sub]TIME ELAPSED SINCE I QUIT SMOKING:
Four months, three weeks, one day, 22 hours, 29 minutes and 44 seconds.
5797 cigarettes not smoked, saving $724.68.
Extra time with Drain Bead: 2 weeks, 6 days, 3 hours, 5 minutes.[/sub]

"Satan is not an unattractive person."-Drain Bead
[sub]Thanks for the ringing endorsement, honey!*[/sub]

12

Just a nit-pick, but most 18-hole golf courses have 4 par-3s (and 12 par-4s and 4 par-5s). There are par-3 courses, of course, but from my experience in working at a golf club which had two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole par-3 courses, few golfers played on both regular and par-3 courses. The par-3 course was usually frequented by weekend or novice players. Anyway, holes-in-one on the par-3 course were largely ignored by our staff, so we didn’t have any records on them.

13

I’m fairly indifferent on this matter, but if we’re referring to a 150 yard, par 3 hole, I’d say the hole-in-one is easier. I just want to point the fact that you can’t simply take the odds of bowling a strike and put them to the 12th power. You have to factor in the extraneous variables. Example: If I bowl four strikes in a row, my likelyhood of getting a fifth is increased. Bowling isn’t probability, it’s skill. Rolling a dice 12 times is when you can say (1/6)^12 = the probability of twelve-peats. The more you strike, the more likely you are to strike. Your form improves, you get into a “rhythym” and more. Golf is “swing…miss” or “swing…hole-in-one.” Practicing the SAME hole repeatedly would improve your odds.

14

“Golf and Bowling”?

You sure this thread isn’t about “What’s the most boring spectator sport”?

15

Folks, this is so easy……

For a hole in one:
1: Remove relatively light ball, bag, and club from bag. (in some instances these items are handed to you)
2: Walk casually to tee off area.
3: Insert tee in to ground and place ball on tee
4: Take aim with club and swing at proper angle and
force to place the ball in the hole.
Result: Hole in one.

For a 300 Game:
1: Remove relatively heavy (what, 9 to 17 lbs.?) ball
from bag.
2: Prep ball and hands with talcum.
3: Pick up ball, walk to lane, and stand momentarily
while taking aim with heavy ball extended in front
of you.
4: Take swift approach steps to the line while
swinging heavy ball in an arch and release ball at
line at proper direction and force to knock down
all 10 pins.
5: Repeat steps 2 through 4 12 times.
Result: 300 Game

I would say a hole in one is easier

16

I have played both sports for many years (not in the last few though) and although I cannot pretend to be an expert at either I can tell you it is a lot easier to get a hole in 1 in golf rather than 300 in bowling. As a golfer with a 16 handicap I have got 1 hole in 1, but as bowler with a 179 average I haven’t even come close to a perfect 300 game. I rest my case.