Ant & Dec ‘in talks’ to front new crazy golf show ‘A Hole In One’

Ant & Dec are reportedly set to bring golf back into the primetime spotlight with a brand-new entertainment format built around a giant crazy golf course.

The UK’s most popular presenting duo are said to be in talks to host A Hole In One — a supersized mini-golf competition where contestants tackle outrageous obstacles in a bid to win a cash prize.

The format is based on the US game show Holey Moley and is reportedly being developed by Britain’s Got Talent producers Fremantle alongside Ant and Dec’s own production company, Mitre Studios, under their £30million long-term deal with ITV.

What we know so far...

The format of A Hole In One would see players compete on a massive crazy golf course, combining precision putting with physical challenges and slapstick jeopardy — a blend that feels tailor-made for Ant & Dec’s high-energy presenting style.

A source told The Sun: “This would be the ideal show for Ant and Dec. It would see contestants on a giant crazy golf course, mixing putting skills with physical challenges. It’s fresh, fun, and sees players battle it out for a cash prize. The lads would have a real laugh making it.”

While ITV has yet to confirm the show, the concept alone has already generated interest among both TV fans and golfers alike.

Genuine love of the game 

Unlike many celebrity-fronted formats, this one would be rooted in something authentic: Ant and Dec genuinely love golf. Both presenters, now 50, are regular players and are rumoured to play off handicaps around the 18 mark. 

The pair even own holiday homes at the prestigious Quinta do Lago golf resort in Portugal — a favourite among UK golfers.

Their golfing journey began 16 years ago after being persuaded to give it a try by close friend and actor Jonathan Wilkes, a low single-figure handicap golfer.

Ant previously admitted in an interview with Chronicle Live that he had never stepped foot on a course before being convinced to try it:

“I’d never been to a course in my life. They said, ‘Won’t be long before you’re hooked.’ We thought, ‘No way.’ It took about six weeks!”

They were first introduced to the sport at Dukes Meadow, a par-3 nine-hole course near Chiswick Bridge in West London — and, by their own admission, it quickly became an obsession.

Dec has since said that any spare day in their diaries usually means one thing: golf.

“If we can get 18 in, brilliant. If we can’t then it’s nine holes — and if we haven’t got time for that we’ll just play the par-3. It only takes an hour.”

That genuine passion could add credibility to what might otherwise be seen as just another Saturday night entertainment format.

Boost for golf on terrestrial TV

If the show gets the green light as expected, it would mark a rare moment for golf-related programming on mainstream UK television.

While elite tournament coverage thrives on subscription platforms, golf-themed entertainment has been largely absent from UK terrestrial screens.

A high-profile, family-friendly crazy golf competition could introduce the sport — albeit in a lighter format — to a wider and younger audience.

And that matters. 

Anything that removes the intimidation factor and showcases golf as accessible, competitive and fun can only help participation levels in the long run.

Here at GolfMagic, we are always keen to see the game pushed into new spaces, so if A Hole In One does materialise, it could prove to be a welcome — and entertaining — boost for our great sport.

For now, it remains a rumour.

But it is certainly one we will be keeping a close eye on.