The hole In the door

[RJNorton]

Part of the reason I am on the fence regarding this as I cannot think of a solid reason Booth would need this hole. What advantage would it give him? From what I've read Booth was inside Ford's in the late afternoon/early evening and could easily see where the President's rocker was located in the box. John Buckingham, the doorman, said Booth was in and out of the theater several times right before the shooting - could Booth not see the box and where everyone was seated? If we are to believe Clara Harris (a BIG question mark) Booth even visited the box an hour before the shot was fired. What is the advantage of having this hole?

If Booth did make the hole did he ever consider firing his shot through the hole?