What’s the hardest? A 9-dart finish, a snooker maximum of 147 or a golf hole-in-one? It really is one of sports biggest questions that has always caused a stir.
The hugely popular debate will always attract various different opinions. In theory, there isn’t really a correct answer. All of the stand out achievements from the respective sports are hugely difficult to achieve.
Using snooker as an example, the player must produce a total of 36 perfect shots to acquire the 147 maximum. Compared to darts, only nine are required but consistent accuracy is arguably trickier.
Bringing golf into the equation, luck is a huge element. Some of the world’s finest professionals will have a lot less hole-in-ones than players who are regarded to be not as good.
If you really break an ‘ace’ down and look at the bare bones of it, just one exquisite shot is required to potentially land in the cup. Although, this is typically achieved from 300-400 yards away. Depending on the par and course.
Sports fans from across the globe could honestly hold conversations about the trio of achievements for hours. Many will even get scientific about what’s the hardest to register.
Here at SportsCasting, we’ve taken a look back at the number of times the achievements have been recorded over different time periods.
Subsequently, coming up with the vital figures that may help settle an age-old debate. Whether that be at the home with family, down the pub with friends or arguing with strangers on social media.
How Many 9-Darters Have Been Recorded In PDC History?
Since it was established in 1992, the Professional Darts Cooperation (PDC) has played host to 521 9-darters across it’s various events. Such a high return indicates already that hitting the perfect leg may be easier than imagined.
Nonetheless, those totals have only been tallied since 1996. Which makes the haul still hugely impressive, but further reinforces the fact a 9-darter is much more achievable.
Over the last 25 years alone, approximately 450 9-darters have been recorded with Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen leading the way on 28.
Luke Littler already has five to his name and was the youngest player ever to hit a 9-darter at 16. Former world champion Gerwyn Price hit two in one night against different opponents during the Premier League of Darts.
In terms of televised 9-darters, the PDC has witnessed 96 since August 2024. Littler’s feat against Luke Humphries in Bahrain is hugely popular. As is Michael Smith’s against Van Gerwen in the 2023 World Championship final.
English players boast the most of the televised 9-darters with 49. The Dutch take second spot with 16 and Welsh players are third on eight.
Total Number Of Snooker 147 Maximums
In professional tournament snooker, a total of 208 maximum breaks have been achieved. The legendary Steve Davis is credited with the very first in January 1982.
The most recent came in November 2024 when Zhang Anda hit a 147 in the UK Championship. Interestingly, this year has witnessed the most in history with 13.
Prior to that, 12 were recorded in 2018. In 2022 and 2023, 11 were registered which may beg the question, is it becoming easier to hit a maximum or are players becoming better?
That’s certainly a debate for another day and there has been a plethora of 147’s recorded in the World Championship in recent years.
Legendary snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan leads the way with 15 maximums. His most famous came in 1997 when he smashed the 147 break in five minutes and eight seconds in the World Championship. Which is the quickest on record.
John Higgins has an impressive 13 whereas Stephen Hendry has 11 to his name. Completing the top five is Stuart Bingham (9) and Judd Trump/Shaun Murphy (both on 8).
Most Hole-In-Ones In PGA Tour History
Hitting a hole-in-one is widely regarded as the Holy Grail of golf. It’s by far the highlight of any round and it’s a rarity that can be spoken about for years to come.
Already, that differentiates a hole-in-one from a 9-darter or a snooker maximum of 147. Which of course, would still be celebrated in similar fashion.
With that said, there have been more aces recorded in PGA Tour history than snooker maximums. Which may or may not come as a surprise to some.
Nonetheless, completing a hole-in-one is usually a once in a lifetime achievement. Since the early 1980s, close to 300 have been recorded on the PGA Tour.
Leading the way with ten aces each is Robert Allenby and Hal Sutton. Renowned stars such as Phil Mickelson (5), Jordan Spieth (4), Scottie Scheffler (2) and Rory McIlroy (1) have plenty of catching up to do.
Tiger Woods has just the two throughout his illustrious career. That in itself may raise a few eyebrows as he has won an incredible 15 majors.
What’s The Hardest Sporting Feat To Achieve?
The answer to that question will exist for years to come as everyone will have their different perceptions on the remarkable sporting feats.
For darts, coming down from 501 to 0 with just nine arrows is an extremely common occurrence. Maybe not as such in televised events but in PDC tournaments as a whole.
Meanwhile a golf hole-in-one is a lot more common on the PGA Tour than what many would have originally thought. Interestingly, there are 1.33 aces on average per event.
An element of luck as well as skill is required to stroke the ball into the cup from the tee shot. Also, the weather can sometimes go in the player’s favour.
However, hitting a maximum in snooker requires nerves of steel, patience, stamina and the skill set to perfectly pot a total of 36 successful shots.
Perhaps the numbers do go on to prove that a 147 break is the hardest to achieve. That’s what Shaun Murphy believes, who has completed all three feats. He even hit a maximum during November’s Paddy Power Challenge!
FINALLY! 1️⃣4️⃣7️⃣
Shaun Murphy makes amends and gets the 147 break 👏 pic.twitter.com/tmf8rV5nBJ
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 4, 2024
As the only person that I know of to have completed all three of these, the correct order is….
1. 147 🎱
2. 9 Darter 🎯
3. Hole in one ⛳️Anyone else out there achieved all three? Membership to this exclusive club remains open 😉 https://t.co/W41AXYRbHT
— Shaun Murphy (@Magician147) December 1, 2022
