Ball Stuck in Hole Wall: Why It Wasn't a Hole-in-One

Disputes occasionally arise among playing partners over whether a ball has actually holed out. These situations include balls coming to rest against the flagstick or balls overhanging the hole that drop in much later. Though rare, balls can also become embedded in the hole wall.

In April last year, Park Hye-jun became the protagonist of such a rare scene at the 13th hole, a par-3, during the first round of the KLPGA Tour Duksin EPC Championship at Kingsdale Country Club in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. Here's what happened: Park's tee shot with a 6-iron soared high and embedded directly into the hole wall. Part of the hole collapsed, but the ball did not drop below the hole. Park's caddie, upon reaching the green, captured the unusual situation on a smartphone.