Golfer hits staggering 411-yard hole-in-one and is so shocked he can't find the ball

A golfer from Worcestershire, Matt Vigurs, stunned spectators and fellow players with a 411-yard hole-in-one during a recent match at Great Barr Golf Club in Sandwell, near Birmingham. The shot, which occurred on August 11, 2026, is believed to be the longest such feat in British golf history. Vigurs, 32, struck the ball from the tee on the third hole, a par-four, and was left momentarily speechless when he could not locate his shot upon reaching the green. Vigurs, who plays off a handicap of +1, initially assumed the ball had gone into the rough or beyond reach. He and his teammates spent several minutes searching the surrounding area, including the bushes and the edges of the fairway, before deciding to check the hole itself. To the surprise of his companions, the ball was found nestled in the bottom of the cup, confirming the extraordinary shot. “I looked a bit silly,” Vigurs later admitted, “but I thought I might as well check the hole, and there it was.” The shot, described as an albatross, a score of three-under-par, was estimated to have odds of six million-to-one, according to England Golf. The probability of achieving a hole-in-one from such a distance is considered even more improbable. Vigurs noted that while his typical driving range is approximately 300 yards, the combination of favorable wind conditions and firm ground allowed him to extend his shot significantly. Although the 411-yard shot fell short of the world record of 447 yards set by American golfer Robert Mitera in Nebraska, it surpassed the previous national record of 408 yards, established by Peter Vickerman at Littlestone Golf Club in Kent in 2014. England Golf, the national governing body for amateur golf, believes the shot may qualify for a national record, though confirmation is pending. Vigurs’ achievement would mark a notable milestone in British golf, potentially placing it among the top long-distance hole-ins in Europe. Vigurs, who returned to competitive play in February after an eight-year hiatus abroad, played in a four-ball match alongside a friend against two other players. The hole in question, named Twin Oaks, was part of a scratch match at the Walsall golf club. Despite the remarkable nature of the shot, Vigurs managed to secure victory in the match, contributing to the success of his home club, Droitwich Golf Club, which won the league on the same day. The incident has sparked excitement within the local golf community, with James Crampton, championships director at England Golf, expressing admiration for the achievement. “We hear of holes-in-one all the time, but a 411-yard one, it’s the stuff of golfers’ dreams!” Crampton remarked. “It sounds like Matt is in the purple patch of his golfing life, and you have to enjoy these moments.” Vigurs, who works as a product and training manager at McLaren, plans to keep the ball as a memento of the historic shot. He also hopes that his golf club will assist in commemorating the occasion. “I think it might be the longest which is quite cool actually,” he said. “I think it might even be the longest in Europe. I have absolutely no chance of ever doing it again. It truly was a once in six-million shot.”