After securing your hole in one, putting and/or shootout coverage, there are required actions that must take place, and the BIG one is abiding by the terms and conditions of the contract with US Hole In One. One of the many major items in those terms and conditions is the witness requirements! The witness requirements are extremely important for the hole in one, putting, and shootout contests for the winner to be guaranteed the payout. Remember, if a hole in one occurs without the verifiable presence of witnesses as stated in the terms and conditions of the application, your hole in one insurance provider will have no obligation to pay the prize value, or any portion thereof, to the client. For each contest there are different witness requirements because there are factors that go into determining those requirements.  So what are the witness requirements for your upcoming tournament? Here is a full breakdown of the witness requirements for all golf contests offered by US Hole In One!

Hole In One & Shootout Contests

• All witnesses must be 18 years of age or older and appointed by the association member.
• For all prize limits, two (2) playing partners of the winner are required, including the bonus hole in one prizes.
• Prize limits of $2,000 to $59,999, one non-event participant witness.
• Prize limits of $60,000 to $150,000, two non-event participant witnesses.
• Prize limits of $150,001 to $1,000,000, two non-event participant witnesses (one of which is a PGA Professional or Police Officer), as well as a continuous, unedited videotape shot from behind the green of all shots to win the prize.
• A videotape is also required, in addition to the witness requirements for all agreements in which both: the number of contestants is 24 or less AND the Prize Value is $25,000 or greater.

Putting Contest

• All witnesses must be 18 years of age or older and appointed by the association member.
• For all prize limits, a continuous, unedited videotape must show the measurement of the putt distance, ball placement and the ball being struck and ending up in the hole (cup).
• Prize limits up to $10,000, one non-contest participant witness is required.
• Prize limits $10,001 to $50,000, two non-contest participant witnesses is required (one of which must be a PGA Professional).

In addition the the witness requirements, it is also important where the witnesses are located. The easy answer though; any place where the witness can see both the teeing ground and the hole. The key to proper witness placement for a hole in one contest is merely that the contest witness has a clear, unobstructed view of each golfer striking their shot from the tee box, and of the golf ball making its way all the way into the hole. The witness needs to see the ball move throughout the entire shot. As long as the witness can see these things happening for every golfer, they can be anywhere on the golf course. But, if your course has a unique hole with a blind tee shot of some kind, we recommend having two witnesses for the hole to make sure that you have at least have one witness who saw the golfer tee off, and one witnessing the ball going into the cup.

If you still have questions about your witness requirements, please do not hesitate to contact your tournament consultant at US Hole In One by email at info@usholeinone.com or by calling us at 888-882-5440. We are more than happy to answer any questions!

By: Sarah Halcovage