The game revolves around putting on a miniature golf-style hole which consists of a long straightaway ending in a circular area contained by a short rail. The hole is in the center of this area, and is larger than a standard golf hole. The straightaway has six evenly spaced lines, the last of which is where the straightaway meets the circular area. The lines represent the possible distances from which the contestant will have to putt for the car.
Six grocery items are used to determine the line from which line the contestant will putt. The contestant is asked to order the items from least to most expensive, with flags representing the items being placed in the given order at each line on the straightaway, starting with the one farthest from the hole. The prices are then revealed in the order the flags were placed. As long as each item is higher-priced than the previous item, the contestant moves up to that line. Otherwise, the contestant does not advance and the remaining flags are removed. If the contestant orders the grocery items perfectly, he/she receives a cash bonus of $500.
The contestant then has two attempts to sink a putt from the line he/she earned to win the car; before this begins the host asks for silence from the in-studio audience so the contestant can putt correctly, as is the case for miniature golf tournaments. As in miniature golf, a putt counts if it is sunk after bouncing off the rail.
History
Originally, this game was called "Hole in One" and the contestant was given only one attempt to make the putt. Because of the difficulty level associated with winning the game, expensive cars were usually offered.
Originally, a drumroll sounded when the contestant was about to make the putt, but was removed on December 21, 1977 (#2571D).
Originally, the $500 sign was a white oval with "$500" written in red. On December 21, 1977 (#2613D), it became a yellow flower with "$500" in white, which was changed to blue and purple on November 4, 1980 (#3852D). On September 24, 1981 (#4194D), it was again replaced with a flag; originally, it was a dark gold with "$500" written in white, which was changed rather quickly to a lighter shade of gold with silver edges with "$500" in black, before becoming a solid gold on December 10, 1986.
During 1986 primetime specials, the current format of two putts was introduced. It was instituted permanently on the daytime show on October 10, 1986 (#6215D). During the 1986 specials only, the $500 bonus was doubled to $1,000 (this rule change was instituted into the $1,000,000 Spectacular specials). The game's name was changed to "Hole in One or Two" on April 21, 1987 (#6472D), which initially placed a stake saying "or Two" next to the Hole in One sign, before adopting its current sign on November 30, 1987 (#6671D), with a golf ball reading "One" in which Bob presses a button to flip the golf ball to the other side to say "or Two" if the contestant misses the first putt.
The name "Hole in One or Two" is only used on the show if the contestant misses the first putt.
One of the game's best-known features is host Bob Barker's "inspiration putt," in which he attempted a putt from the furthest line in an attempt to inspire the contestant. At various times, the putt has also been done by the announcer, contestant, models, stars of other shows taped at CBS Television City or members of the production staff. One of the most famous "inspirational putts" was by model Janice Pennington, from December 2, 1991. The putt looked as if it was going to miss, but then it suddenly curved into the hole, completely baffling Bob, and everybody else. It was later determined that a hole in the ball caused it to turn. Drew Carey has continued the tradition of the inspiration putt, though he admittedly is not a golfer, and more often than not misses. In fact, if Carey misses, he sometimes "taps" the golf ball in the hole with his foot, but that putt does not count. Some versions of Hole-in-One-or-Two have their hosts doing inspiration putts, too, in particular, Marco Antonio Regil, Bruce Forsyth, Ian Turpie, and Larry Emdur. On Joe Pasquale's UK version, "Raynard," his assitant, did the putt, which was more like an "inspiration drive," where he whacked the ball offstage, accompanied by a sound effect of breaking glass.
On 1994's syndicated The New Price is Right, Hole in One used small prizes instead of groceries during the pricing segment. The prices were also revealed immediately after the contestant chose each item, rather than revealing them all at the end. And there was no $500 flag although that bonus cash prize was still offered.
Barker often mentioned that this was his favorite game if he made his inspiration putt and his least favorite game if he didn't.
On one episode during the one-putt rule, from April 17, 1981 (#4085D), a contestant named Dolores put all six grocery items in order, won the $500 and putted from the sixth line, but did not hit the ball hard enough and lost the car. This happened twice in the two-putt era, once in a Doug Davidson episode and the other in a Barker episode, but in both cases, the contestants won with their second putts. In one episode in the Mexican version of the show, a contestant missed both of her putts from the closest line and Marco blew the ball into the hole. The closest line the contestant missed both putts was on January 6, 1994 (#9024D), in which a contestant missed both putts from the second-closest line.
In 1998, the Game Show Network aired a commercial for a fictional VHS tape called Golf Bob's Way showing clips of Hole in One.
In the mid 2000's, a USA Deal or No Deal former producer Josh Silberman put all six grocery items in order, won $500 and putted from the sixth line, and won the car.
On April 28, 2009 (#4732K), professional golfer Natalie Gulbis did the inspiration putt.
On April 21, 2010 (#5133K), Hole in One was played for a restored 1964 Bentley S3 Continental worth $34,990 and was won on the second try.
On October 21, 2013 (#6461K, aired out of order on October 7), the split-screen camera shot has been changed to a single-screen camera shot side-view of the putting green.
On November 22, 2013 (#6505K, aired out of order on November 19), during Dream Car Week, a BMW 640i Convertible worth $87,516 was offered and won, to include a cash bonus of $500 as well.
On May 10, 2016, the game was featured on Let's Make a Deal as part of a mash-up between both shows. (The May 10, 2016 (7532K) of Price featured Go for a spin from LMAD.)
On October 26, 2016 (#7663K), during Big Money Week, the game was played for a top cash prize of $100,000 instead of a car. Contestant Cedric Broussard had two chances to sink the putt with a windmill in the way (or they could have it removed and instead play for $20,000). Cedric chose to play for the $100,000; sadly, he had to put from the far line, and lost. (Ironically, despite the fact that he usually comments that he is a poor golfer during this game, Drew Carey made a perfect putt on his inspirational putt from the back line.)
On December 30, 2016 (#7745K), as a part of Best of 2016, the game was played for a cash prize of $100,000 instead of a car. Once again, contestant Cassandra Boettcher had two chances to sink the putt with a windmill in the way or have it removed and instead play for $20,000. Cassandra chose to play for the $100,000; she put from the third line, and won.
Trivia
The most number of times this game was played in any season was 42.
Foreign versions
On Australian, Thailand, UK, ... version, the contestant has one attempt instead of two to sink a putt from the line.
On Vietnamese version, the contestant has three attempts (2 trying attempts and 1 putt attempts) instead of two to sink a putt from the line. The first two trying attempts was not get the prize (although the ball was fall in the hole). Contestant was get a prize if sink a putt from the line on third attempt.
Pictures
The early Hole in One setup, with the tacky $500 sign.
The Hole in One setup from the 1986 specials. The $500 bonus is doubled to $1000 and the contestant has two putts.
The later Hole in One setup, with the golf-ball motif. The sign is now changed to a sign that has a golf ball reading "One" that gets flipped over to "or Two" if the contestant misses the first putt.
Another shot of the later Hole in One setup. The products are now in two rows, rather than all lined up in one row.
Here's what Hole in One looks like today.
The side view of the green
Land the ball in this hole and you win the car!
Get all the products in order and win a $500 bonus!
This game is not just called "Hole in One"; it's called "Hole in One" or TWO!
Hole in One for a Cadillac Coupe de Ville (September 8, 1977, #2464D)
Bob's inspiration putt went into the hole.
The price of the Trident gum.
The price of the crackers.
The price of the shampoo.
The price of the repellent.
Unfortunately, the contestant did not make the putt.
Hole in One for a Buick Riviera (January 17, 1978, #2652D)
The price of the 5th Avenue bar.
The price of the French fried onions.
The price of the Swanson's frozen dinner.
The price of the instant cocoa.
The price of the Welch's grape soda.
And finally, the price of the Chap Stick lipstick. She got all 6 products right for a $500 bonus! And even better, she gets to putt right up at the hole!
Bob has made his inspiration putt.
And, the contestant had also made her putt!
Hole in One for a Fiat Spider 2000 (October 23, 1979, #3442D)
The price of the salad crunchies.
The price of the deodorizer.
The price of the Nestle Chunky candy bar.
Bob has made his inspiration putt.
Unfortunately, the contestant has missed her putt.
Hole in One for a Triumph TR7 (February 4, 1980, #3533D)
The price of the Rothschild candy.
The price of the Jolly Time popcorn.
The price of the mouthwash.
The price of the syrup.
The price of the Wellaflex lotion.
And finally, the price of the mildew remover. She should've swapped that and the lotion, so no $500 bonus this time.
Bob's first inspiration did not go into the hole.
And, neither did Bob's second inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt!
Hole in One for a Mercury Monarch (March 13, 1980, #3594D)
The price of the mints.
The price of the Chap Stick lip balm.
The price of the Orajel medicine.
The price of the furniture polish.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
Hole in One for a Mazda RX-7 (January 6, 1981, #3942D)
The price of the 5th Avenue candy bar.
The price of the Betty Crocker cake mix.
The price of the Jolly Time popcorn.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
And unfortunately, the contestant has also missed her putt.
Hole in One for a Pontiac LeMans Safari (February 3, 1981, #3982D)
The price of the Nestle soup.
The price of the lozenges.
The price of the macaroni.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
Unfortunately, the contestant has also missed her putt.
A Blooper Putt in Hole in One (April 22, 1981, #4093D)
The price of the glaze.
The price of the honey.
Bob has made his inspiration putt.
Wait a minute! Bob has realised that there was a mistake. Agnes was supposed to putt from line #1.
But unfortunately, Agnes did not make her official putt.
Hole in One for a Dodge D-150 Pickup Truck (September 3, 1981, #4164D)
The price of the Dentyne gum.
The price of the Lender's bagels.
The price of the pickles.
The price of the Off insect repellent.
The price of the Borateem detergent.
Bob has made his inspiration putt.
Unfortunately, the contestant did not make her putt.
Hole in One for an AMC Eagle SX4 (November 6, 1981, #4265D)
The price of the Halls cough drops.
The price of the Hershey's Krackel candy bar.
The price of the spray starch.
The price of the Cortaid reliever.
The price of the conditioner.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
Hole in One for a Jeep Comanche (May 15, 1986, #6124D)
The price of the travel sickness remedy.
The price of the canned tomatoes.
Bob has made his inspiration putt.
Unfortunately, the contestant did not make his putt.
First Playing with the Two-Putt Rule (August 14, 1986, #001P)
The price of the chewing gum.
The price of the Ragu spaghetti sauce.
The price of the Pledge furniture polish.
The price of the X14 bathroom cleaner.
The price of the dog food.
And finally, the price of the Centrum vitamins. Normally, she'd get a $500 bonus for getting all 6 products. But since this is a Special, she's getting a $1,000 bonus, and of course, she gets to put right up at the hole!
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
Hole in One for a Nissan 300ZX (August 28, 1986, #003P)
The price of the gelatin.
The price of the Quaker oatmeal.
The price of the Quaker granola bars.
The price of the V8 vegetable juice.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
Unfortunately, the contestant has also missed her putt. But luckily, she gets a second putt.
But unfortunately, she did not hit the ball hard enough.
First Daytime Playing with the Two-Putt Rule (October 10, 1986, #6215D)
The price of the pastries.
The price of the Sunny D punch.
The price of the Playtex living gloves.
The price of the non-stick spray.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
First Playing as "Hole in One or Two" (April 21, 1987, #6472D)
The price of the Hershey's Krackel candy bar.
The price of the hot sauce.
The price of the Glade freshener.
The price of the oatmeal cookies.
The price of the aspirin.
And finally, the price of the denture cleaner. She should've swapped that and the aspirin, so no $500 bonus today.
Bob has made his inspiration putt.
And fortunately, the contestant has also made her putt.
First Playing with the Current Hole in One Sign (November 25, 1987, #6663D)
The price of the salsa.
The price of the English muffins.
The price of the rice.
The price of the honey.
The price of the medication.
Holly will be doing the inspiration putt.
Holly has missed her inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
Hole in One for a Suzuki Sidekick (March 3, 1989, #7175D)
The price of the denture adhesive.
The price of the macaroni.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made his putt.
Hole in One for a Mitsubishi Mirage 4-Door Sedan (January 16, 1992, #8264D)
The price of the soap.
The price of the Jolly Time popcorn.
The price of the pitted dates.
The price of the Tylex remover.
The price of the hair coloring.
And finally, the price of the denture cleaner. She should've swapped that and the hair coloring, so no $500 bonus.
Holly has missed her inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
Final Playing with Bob Barker (June 12, 2007, #4032K)
The price of the salad beans.
The price of the pasta sauce.
The price of the Glad wrap.
The price of the softener.
The price of the Gold Bond cream.
Bob has missed his inspiration putt.
The contestant missed his first putt. Fortunately, the game is called...
...Hole in One or Two.
The contestant has made his second putt.
First Playing with Drew Carey (November 27, 2007, #4102K, aired out of order on November 5)
The price of the Halls cough drops.
The price of the Pillsbury cinnabons.
The price of the Nesquik strawberry milk.
The price of the laxative tablets.
The price of the Energizer hearing aid batteries.
And finally, the price of the vitamins. For the first time in a long time, and for the first time in Drew's era, a contestant has gotten all 6 products right! She not only gets her $500 bonus, but she also gets to put right up by the hole!
Drew has missed his inspiration putt.
But fortunately, the contestant has made her putt.
Hole in One for a Ford Expedition (April 11, 2008, #029SP, aired out of order on March 14)
The price of the Goldfish crackers.
The price of the pasta sauce.
The price of the antacid.
The price of the Bayer aspirin.
The price of the Oxi-Clean stain remover.
And finally, the price of the Flinstones vitamins. Just like the '86 shows, the contestant wins a $1,000 bonus, and like always, he gets to putt right up by the hole!
Drew has made his inspiration putt.
And fortunately, the contestant has also made his putt.
Hole in One for a 1964 Bentley (April 21, 2010, #5133K)
Drew has missed his inspiration putt.
Unfortunately, the contestant has missed the putt as well. But fortunately...
...the game is called "Hole in One or Two".
He made the putt!
Hole in One for a 1955 Ford F-100 (March 31, 2011, #5504K)
The price of the plastic cups.
The price of the bread.
Drew has missed his inspiration putt.
And unfortunately, the contestant has missed his putt. But luckily...
...the game is called "Hole in One or Two".
Unfortunately, he missed his second putt.
Hole in One for a 1965 Ford Mustang (April 13, 2012, #5925K, aired out of order on April 27)
The price of the blackberries.
The price of the lighter fluid.
The price of the canola oil.
The price of the walnuts.
The price of the root beer party keg.
And finally, the price of the pain reliever.
The contestant has made her putt.
Hole in One for a BMW 640i Convertible (November 22, 2013, #6505K, aired out of order on November 19)
The price of the candy bar.
The price of the applesauce.
The price of the pancake mix.
The price of the cleaner.
The price of the lotion.
And finally, the price of the razors. For the first time in a long time, a contestant has gotten all 6 products right, a $500 bonus, and a chance to putt right up by the hole!
Drew has made his inspiration putt
And fortunately, the contestant has also made the putt!
84-Year Old Woman Makes a Putt (March 27, 2015, #7065K)
Drew made the putt.
The contestant has missed the putt. But the game is not over yet, because...
...the game is called "Hole in One or Two".
An 84-year old woman has made the putt!
Hole in One for $100,000 from Season 45 (October 26, 2016, #7663K)
Drew has made his inspiration putt.
The contestant however, did not. But luckily...
...the game is called "Hole in One or Two".
The contestant has missed again. Thus, he does not win the $100,000.
A $100,000 Win from the Best of 2016 Special (December 30, 2016, #7745K)
Drew has missed the hole.
The contestant has made the putt. So this means...
...she has won $100,000!!!
From November 17, 2017 (#8095K)
Here the prices of the shave cream and the tarnish remover.
Drew missed the hole.
The contestant has made the putt.
Neddy's Hole in One Heartbreaker (September 25, 2018, #8422K)
The price of the rice crisps.
The price of the marinade.
The price of the egg whites.
The price of the cleaner.
The price of the muscle relief.
And finally, the price of the vitamins.
Drew missed the hole.
And, so did the contestant. Luckily...
...the game is called "Hole in One or Two".
But, the contestant didn't hit the ball hard enough and lost the game.
Hole in One for $100,000 from Season 47 (October 11, 2018, #8444K, aired out of order on October 8)
Drew has missed his inspiration putt.
The contestant also missed the putt. But luckily, the game is called...
...Hole in One or Two.
The contestant has missed her second putt. She did not win the $100,000.