
Following the 2-under par definition, to score an eagle, you would need to sink the golf ball in:
- A single stroke on a par-3 hole – which if you make is actually called a hole-in-one
- 2 strokes on a par-4 hole
- 3 strokes on a par-5 hole
- 4 strokes on a par-6 hole
What is an eagle score in golf?
An eagle is a golfing term for a score on a golf hole that is two under its given par (the score that a scratch golfer would be expected to record on that hole). Most commonly, eagles are scored in golf on par-5s when a player is able to reach the green in two shots and putt out into the hole for a three.
How do you know if you shot an eagle in golf?
Confirm that you indeed shot an eagle, which is two strokes under par. The hole's par is always identified on the scorecard. Circle your score with two circles to represent the eagle. In golf, a single circle represents a birdie, and a square represents a bogey.
How do you make an eagle on a golf course?
So if an eagle is a score of 2-under on a hole, that means you make an eagle by: Eagles are most commonly made on par-5s, holes on which some golfers who hit the ball far can reach the green in two strokes, then sink the first putt.
How many strokes do you need to score an eagle?
But if that golfer (or any golfer, good, bad or otherwise) instead needs only three strokes (two less than par), well, she just scored an eagle. What kinds of golfers make an eagle?

How do you mark an eagle on a scorecard?
In practice, an eagle is achieved when requiring 3 strokes on a par-5, two strokes on a par-4, and 1 stroke on a par-3 for a hole-in-one. On the scorecard a golfer who has scored an eagle will either mark his score as -2 or will put the number of strokes shot inside two circles.
How many points is an eagle in golf?
4 pointsTwo strokes under (aka an eagle) : 4 points. One Stroke under (birdie): 3 points.
How do you hit an eagle in golf?
The first method of scoring an eagle is to reach the green in regulation, but do so by holing out. A par for a hole is determined by how many strokes it should take to reach a green and then adding a two-putt performance. So if a golfer hits it into the hole with an approach shot, it's two shots under par--an eagle.
How many shots under par is an eagle?
two under parEagle. A hole score of two strokes fewer than par (two under par, −2) is known as an eagle, e.g. 2 strokes to complete a par 4 hole or 3 strokes on a par 5 hole. The name "eagle" was used to represent a better score than a birdie due to it being a relatively large bird.
Is an eagle a double circle?
A circle around a number on a scorecard indicates a score under par. So, for a birdie, a player puts one circle around the score. For an eagle, a player puts two circles around the score.
Is an eagle a hole-in-one?
Eagles on par-4 holes are much rarer because they require either driving the green and 1-putting, or holing out an approach shot from the fairway. Note that an eagle on a par-3 hole is a hole-in-one. And you can call a par-3 ace either an "eagle" or a "hole-in-one;" both terms are correct.
How hard is it to hit an eagle in golf?
Eagles Are Very Rare, Even For Professional Golfers He made 18 eagles over 2,124 holes (0.85% of holes).
Which is rarer eagle or hole-in-one?
The most-quoted odds of making a hole-in-one are 13,000 to 1. The odds of making a double eagle have been posted at 6-million-to-1, although some think it might be closer to 1 million to 1. One study a few years ago estimated there are about 40,000 aces made in the U.S. every year, compared to about 200 double eagles.
Is an eagle better than a hole-in-one?
If you holed your ball in three shots on a par-5, that's considered an eagle. Another eagle would be if you holed your ball in two shots on a par-4. A hole-in-one on a par-3 is also considered an eagle, but is almost always referred to as a hole-in-one.
What is better than eagle in golf?
An eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole. A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an "albatross"). A triple bogey is 3-over par.
What is a ostrich in golf?
Supposedly, this is the name assigned to completing a hole having struck the ball five fewer times than par. In other words, this is what happens when you hole-out a Par 7 with two strokes or shoot a Hole-In-One on a Par Six.
What is a turkey in golf?
Its origin is almost certainly American in nature. In ten-pin bowling, a trio of consecutive strikes is called a turkey, while six in a row is known as a wild, or golden, turkey. It wouldn't be the first time golf has borrowed from another sport to expand its lexicon.
How to recognize a two under par eagle?
If you're skilled or lucky enough to score a two-under-par eagle on a hole during a round of golf, recognize the accomplishment by properly marking it on your scorecard.
What does a square represent in golf?
In golf, a single circle represents a birdie, and a square represents a bogey. Sorry, the video player failed to load. (Error Code: 100013) Toronto-based journalist William McCoy has been writing since 1997, specializing in topics such as sports, nutrition and health.
What Is an Eagle in Golf?
Before you learn what an Eagle is, let’s discuss the par. It is important to note that a hole’s par is the number of strokes it is standard for putting that particular hole. For example, for a par 3 hole, it means that it should take 3 shots for professional golfers to get the golf ball inside such a hole.
Why Is It Called an Eagle?
The golfing terminology Eagle comes from another term, ‘birdie,’ which comes from American golfers. In the book “Fifty Years of American Golf,” H. B. Martin provided an account of a golf match played in the Country Club of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
How to Score an Eagle in Golf
If a golfer gets a hole in one (as in, putting the hole with just one stroke) for a par 3 hole, then it is an eagle too. This is because for a par 3 hole, getting a hole in one means the score is two below the par.
Strategies and Skills Required
You have to increase your skill level by practicing your strokes to get eagles. If you are an amateur golfer, start by practicing birdie and using maximum power in your strokes. Also, hone your maneuvering skills with a golf club you’re comfortable with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, it does not. But you can call it descriptive names, such as two strokes under par on a hole.
What Does An Eagle Mean In Golf: Conclusion
I hope by now you have a very clear answer to ‘ What is an eagle in golf ?’ Throughout this article, we have covered a range of examples where you can make eagles during your golf rounds.
What Does Eagle Mean In Golf?
How many shots is an eagle? Eagle means that you have scored 2 shots less than the set par for the hole. This relates to a 3 on a par 5, a 2 on a par 4, and an ace (hole-in-one) on a par 3.
An Eagle In Golf Good or Bad?
Eagle in golf scoring is much rarer than scoring birdies and affects the number of shots related to par. If under par, the score will get further while a score of over par will reduce closer to par.
How Rare Is An Eagle In Golf?
Scoring an eagle on the various par holes differ with an eagle on a par 3 being the least common as it requires one shot to get the ball into the hole.
What's Better Than An Eagle In Golf?
Eagle is not the best that you can score on a hole though, staying with the avian theme, you can score a three-under-par double eagle (also known as an Albatross in Europe) while a rare 4-under par score on a hole is known as a Condor.
Eagle Name Origin In Golf
According to the USGA, the term Eagle is, as the term birdie, American in origin, and retains the avian theme for scores below par.
What is an Eagle in Golf?
In golf, an “Eagle” means scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole. Examples of golf eagles include:
Why is it Called an "Eagles"?
Before a golf eagle got its name, the term "birdie" was already being used. A birdie occurs when a player scores 1 stroke less than par on a given hole.
Par 5 Holes Provide the Best Eagle Opportunities
Most eagles take place on par 5 holes. Golfers who have the distance to reach par 5 greens in only 2 strokes have a significant advantage over shorting hitting golfers to make eagles.
Eagles Are Very Rare, Even For Professional Golfers
In 2019, Sungjae Im had the most eagles among qualifying golfers in the TOUR Championship. He made 18 eagles over 2,124 holes (0.85% of holes).
Eagles Are Far Rarer For The Average Golfer Than Professionals
MyGolfSpy and TheGrint (a golf GPS and Handicapping App) teamed up to find how common birdies or better, pars, and bogey or worse holes are for golfers at various handicaps. While they didn't share data specifically for eagles, they did show how many birdies or better golfers of various handicaps scored.
What is a stroke in golf?
Golf Scoring Terms Explained. Stroke - In golf, a "Stroke" is any forward club swing, including when putting, that a golfer is trying to hit the ball. You can essentially use "Stroke" as a synonym for a shot/putt, but keep in mind that it also includes "whiffs" if you miss the ball when trying to hit it. Par - " Par " is the number of strokes that ...
How many chances do you get on a hole in one?
According to American Hole 'N One, the average golfer's chances of making a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole are 12,500 to 1. The odds improve for professional golfers at 2,500 to 1. When aces do occur, it's almost always on a par-3 hole, though hole-in-ones have been accomplished on par-4 and even par-5 holes.
How many strokes to complete a par-3?
A golfer would be even through three holes if they took 4 strokes to complete a par-3, 3 strokes to complete a par-4, and 5 strokes to complete a par-5 hole. Birdie - A " Birdie " is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 2 strokes on a par-3 hole.
How many condors are there in the PGA?
Only four condors have been recorded in PGA history. Generally, the only way to accomplish a condor is to massively "cut off" a "dogleg" par-5 golf hole for a hole-in-one. Hole-in-One / Ace - A "Hole-in-One" or "Ace" occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole (cup), completing the hole in just one stroke.
How many yards is a par 4?
Par-4 – 211 to 400 yards. Par-5 – 401 to 575 yards. The golf scoring term "Par" is also used to reference the combined par of a group of golf holes. Full-length 18-hole golf courses include par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes.
Is a bogey bad for golf?
While a bogey is a bad result for a low handicap or professional golfer, new and less skilled golfers are often fine with only needing one more stroke than par to complete a hole. If you got a bogey on every hole of a par-72 course, you'd shoot a 90. This is a major milestone for newer golfers.
How to score a golf scorecard?
When playing stroke play, count the number of strokes you've taken on the hole just completed, and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole on the scorecard. At the end of each nine holes, tally up the strokes for your front nine and back nine totals ( often marked "out" and "in" ), respectively, then add up those two numbers for your 18-hole score.
What does a circle on a golf scorecard mean?
But because it's a PGA Tour thing, some golfers like to do it this way. So one circle represents a birdie, and a score circled twice represents an eagle or better.
How to mark stableford on scorecard?
To mark Stableford on a scorecard, it's most common to use two rows. Using two rows makes the scorecard easier to mark and easier to read later. The top row is your stroke play score — the number of strokes you took to complete the hole. The second row is the Stableford points earned on that hole.
What does a scorecard look like?
Here's what a scorecard looks like when your course handicap is 18 or above, which means that you get to take a stroke on every hole, and sometimes two strokes on a hole.
How to score a stableford?
For Stableford with handicaps, begin by marking the scorecard as you would for regular stroke play using handicaps (using the dots and slashes). Add a second row to the scorecard and mark it "Stableford — Gross.". Then add a third row marked "Stableford — Net.".
How to take a stroke on a golf course?
Always start by marking the holes on which you get to take a stroke. Make a little dot somewhere within the box for the holes on which your course handicap will be used. (The "handicap" row of the scorecard tells you where to take strokes. If your course handicap is 2, then take a stroke on the holes marked 1 and 2.
What does GIR mean in golf?
Greens in regulation, or GIR, means your ball is on the putting surface in one shot on a par-3, two shots on a par-4, or three shots on a par-5. Putts taken per hole is just a counting stat, so count up your putts on each hole. Per the PGA Tour norm, only balls on the putting surface count as putts.

The Scores Needed to Make An Eagle
Why Is It called An 'Eagle'?
- Now we know what an eagle is ... but why is it called "eagle"? Where does that specific term come from? "Eagle" is used because it followed "birdie" in the golf lexicon. Birdie, meaning 1-under par on a hole, came first. Once birdie was established, golfers simply stuck with the avian theme and added "eagle" for 2-under on a hole. The bigger question is where that bird theme came from in t…
Other Forms of 'Eagle' Used by Golfers
- Golfers also use the term "eagle" as part of a couple other related expressions. For example, an "eagle putt" is any putt that, if the golfer makes it, results in a score of eagle. So if you are on the green in two strokes on a par-5, your first putt attempt is an "eagle putt" because if you make it, you'll have an eagle. And there's "double eagle"—also known as an "albatross"—meaning 3-under …
What Is An Eagle in Golf?
- Before you learn what an Eagle is, let’s discuss the par. It is important to note that a hole’s par is the number of strokes it is standard for putting that particular hole. For example, for a par 3 hole, it means that it should take 3 shots for professional golfers to get the golf ball inside such a hole. The scores of golf are usually calculated relative to the par. This brings us to the Eagle. The ter…
Why Is It called An Eagle?
- The golfing terminologyEagle comes from another term, ‘birdie,’ which comes from American golfers. In the book “Fifty Years of American Golf,” H. B. Martin provided an account of a golf match played in the Country Club of Atlantic City, New Jersey. After a player got a hole with one score under the par, a player exclaimed, calling the shot ‘a bird of a shot,” and since then term bir…
Strategies and Skills Required
- You have to increase your skill level by practicing your strokes to get eagles. If you are an amateur golfer, start by practicing birdie and using maximum power in your strokes. Also, hone your maneuvering skills with a golf club you’re comfortable with. Most holes in any golf course would be eligible for practicing eagles, as you can get a 2 below...
What Does An Eagle Mean in Golf: Conclusion
- I hope by now you have a very clear answer to ‘What is an eagle in golf?’ Throughout this article, we have covered a range of examples where you can make eagles during your golf rounds. Despite being a rare achievement in terms of golf scoring it is something that with practice and time and effort you can add to your golf scorecardsfrom time to time. Now, pick up a golf club, fi…