Short Answer
The ball must be holed with the player's first stroke on that hole, played from the teeing area of that hole, and the score must count under the Rules of Golf and the competition conditions.
Key Takeaways
- It must be the first stroke on that hole.
- It must be played from the proper teeing area.
- The round and score must comply with the rules and event conditions.
What the golf rules require
A hole-in-one is simply a score of 1. That means the player completed the hole with a single stroke from the teeing area while otherwise playing under the Rules of Golf.
A second attempt after a miss may be fun, but it is not an official ace for scoring or prize purposes.
What competition rules add
In organised events, the committee's conditions also matter. The player may need to be part of the official field and the ace may need to happen on a specific hole or round.
Insured prize holes often add extra conditions such as minimum distance and witness requirements.
Casual play versus official recognition
Friends may celebrate any one-shot finish on a par-3. That is fine socially.
But club recognition, registry listings, and insurance payouts need the official conditions to be followed.