Bravopilot Oddly, I think there is more skill involved on most hole-outs than an ACE based on lie, location..... But then again, I only have one ACE but have holed out many times over the years. Must be skill
I don't think there's a ton of skill in either, really. I'd say it's 90% luck. I've had never had a hole in one but have had 3-4 hole outs and while they're fun, I never got too excited because it just felt like I got lucky. Yes, I hit a good shot to get it reasonably close, but after that it's all luck.
My wife once holed out from 175 yards. Hit a 5 wood that maybe got off the ground for 10 yards then rolled the rest of the way all the way into the hole, shit happens.
Even on some of those holes where the pros throw it out way to the right knowing the green slopes and will bring the ball back to the hole are mostly luck. Sure they have to get it in the general direction, but even they're not good enough to hit the actual spot that will take that ball straight into the hole.