Golf Scoring Terms Cheat Sheet
| Golf Scoring Term | Explanation |
| Stroke | Any forward club swing that's intended t ... |
| Par | The number of strokes an expert player i ... |
| Birdie | One stroke under par on an individual ho ... |
| Eagle | Two strokes under par on an individual h ... |
How far under par is an 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 "). Given that a par-5 hole is the highest par most golfers will ever see, there is a limit to how far under par a golfer can go.
What does a double eagle mean on a par 5?
1 Double eagle: On a par-5, means you finished the hole in 2 strokes 2 Eagle: You finished the hole in 3 strokes 3 Birdie: You finished the hole in 4 strokes 4 Par: You finished the hole in 5 strokes 5 Bogey: You finished the hole in 6 strokes 6 Double bogey: You finished the hole in 7 strokes 7 Triple bogey: You finished the hole in 8 strokes
What does 2 under par mean in golf?
Under Par - The term "under par" describe a player's score when they've taken fewer strokes than par up to a given point of the golf course. If a player took 3 strokes to complete a par-3, 3 strokes to complete a par-4, and 4 strokes to complete a par-5 hole, their score could be described as "two under par" or "-2".
What is the origin of the term eagle in golf?
For many years, eagle was always introduced as American terms, as in 1922 when Cecil (Cecilia) Leitch described a putt for a 3 on a par-5 hole as 'securing what is known in American golfing parlance as an "eagle"' (Golf XII 1922 p 202).
Is an eagle 2-under par?
Eagle. 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.
Is eagle better than par?
A birdie is a score of 1-under par on a hole (for example, scoring 4 on a par-5). A bogey is 1-over par on a hole. An eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole.
Is Eagle in golf good?
An eagle in golf is a score that is achieved when you are 2-under par. For example, you need to do it in one stroke to score an “eagle” on a par-3 hole and two strokes on a par-4 hole. An eagle is a good indicator of advanced gameplay and is typically not achieved until the professional level.
What is 2 shots on a par 4?
Definition of 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 3 birdies in a row called?
So three birdies in a row is either called the hat trick or a turkey.
What is 4 birdies in a row called?
1 = Strike. 2 = Double. 3 = Turkey or Gobbler. 4 = Hambone. 5 = Recently heard referred to as yatzee or five bagger.
What is the best shot in golf called?
An ace, commonly known as a hole-in-one, is the best score out there. When you get an ace, that means you get to write a “1” on the scorecard.
What is 3 shots under par called?
An albatross is—you guessed it—a term for three under par. Like the bird itself, achieving an albatross in golf is rare indeed.
Is an eagle better than a 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.
What does E mean in golf?
even parMost 18-hole golf courses range from par 70 to 72. When the number of strokes taken matches par, it's considered even par, signified with an "E" on most scoreboards. If a player completes the hole in one shot less par, or birdie, minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard.
Why are golf terms named after birds?
A Bogey means one over par. Birdie: In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent" - golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey, course claims that the term originated there in 1903. The meaning being a score of one under par.
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.
What is par in golf?
Par is derived from the stock exchange term that a stock may be above or below its normal or 'par' figure. In 1870, Mr AH Doleman, a golf writer, asked the golf professionals David Strath and James Anderson, what score would win 'The Belt', then the winning trophy for 'The Open', at Prestwick, where it was first held annually from 1861 to 1870. Strath and Anderson said that perfect play should produce a score of 49 for Prestwick's twelve holes. Mr Doleman called this 'par' for Prestwick and subsequently Young Tom Morris won with a score of two strokes 'over par' for the three rounds of 36 holes.
What is the meaning of the eagle in golf?
Eagle. "Eagle", a score of two under par for a given hole, was clearly the extension of the theme of birds for good scores from a " birdie " . It would be natural for American golfers to think of the eagle, which is their national symbol and the term seems to have developed only shortly after the 'birdie'.
What are the three terms used in golf?
There is quite a history behind the golfing terms bogey, par, birdie, eagle and albatross. Bogey and par were central to the development of handicapping, pioneered by the LGU. The modern meaning of three of the terms - bogey, birdie and eagle - comes from their use in USA. Bogey Par Birdie Eagle Albatross.
What is the bogey score?
Here Comes the Bogey Man", which was popular at that time. So at Yarmouth and elsewhere the ground score became known as the bogey score. A 'bogle' was a Scottish goblin as far back as the 16th Century and a Bogey-man was a widely used term for a goblin or devil.
What is the term for three under par?
Albatross is the term for three under par and is a continuation of the birdie and eagle theme, but is in fact a British term. Ab Smith said his group used the phrase 'double eagle' for three under ( see Birdie above ), which is still the term most Americans and the name for their Double Eagle Club (membership by invitation only).
When was the par standard first used?
Although the first noted use of the word "par" in golf was in Britain and predates the bogey, today's rating system does not and the par standard was not further developed until later. It was the Ladies Golf Association, who, from 1893, began to develop a national handicapping system for women.
When was the first birdie hole?
The Atlantic City Club date the event to 1903. The First Birdie Hole, Courtesy of Atlantic City County Club. By 1913, the term had crossed the Atlantic and Bernard Darwin writing in the September 1913 issue of Country Life of a visit to the USA said.
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 "par" mean in golf?
"Par" refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course. Golf holes of different lengths will require more or fewer strokes by a golfer.
What does "double eagle" mean in golf?
Double eagle: On a par-5, means you finished the hole in 2 strokes. Eagle: You finished the hole in 3 strokes. Birdie: You finished the hole in 4 strokes. Par: You finished the hole in 5 strokes.
What is the highest par in golf?
A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an " albatross "). A triple bogey is 3-over par. Given that a par-5 hole is the highest par most golfers will ever see, there is a limit to how far under par a golfer can go.
What is a birdie in golf?
They describe a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par: A birdie is a score of 1-under par on a hole (for example, scoring 4 on a par-5). A bogey is 1-over par on a hole. An eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole.
What is it called when you need more strokes than the par?
And of course, most of us are not "experts" at golf, and so on most holes we'll need more strokes than the par (called "over par"). That's where those other terms — birdies, eagles, bogeys, and so on — come into play.
What is a hole in one called?
But a hole-in-one — knocking the ball in the hole with your first shot — is also called an " ace .". ( On a par-5 hole, making an ace means a golfer is 4-under on that hole and, yes, golfers have a term for that, too: condor .)
What does an eagle mean in golf?
An eagle, which simply means shooting two strokes under par on one hole, is not a common score for most golfers. Even for professionals, eagles don't come around that often. In order to make an eagle, you have to have a combination ...
What is double eagle golf?
A double eagle is a term for when you shoot three shots below par on one hole. The score is extremely uncommon. To accomplish it, you'll need to make a hole-in-one on a par-4 or hole your second shot on a par-5. It's also referred to as an albatross. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers win The Match.
What does it mean to be an eagle?
What is an Eagle? An eagle means that you shot two strokes below par on one hole. For example, 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.
Where did the term "eagle" come from?
The term "eagle" was originated from the term "birdie," which means shooting one stroke below par on a hole. In H.B. Martin's book, "Fifty Years of American Golf," an account of a foursome match played at the Atlantic City Country Club was described. After a well-played hole, one of the players said, "That was a bird of a shot.".
Can you hit an eagle on a par 3?
It's uncommon for golfers to hit the ball onto the green on their tee shot, though it can be accomplised on a short par-4. For an eagle on a par-3, the formula is simple: hole the ball in one stroke.
What does "par" mean in golf?
"Par" is also used to describe a golfer's scoring performance on an individual hole or for a complete round of golf. If you complete a par-4 hole having used four strokes, then you are said to have "parred the hole." This is also referred to as being "even-par" or " level par ."
What is par in golf?
Brent Kelley. Updated June 21, 2019. In golf, "par" is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete an individual hole, or to complete all the holes on a golf course. Par is the standard to which golfers aspire. Usage Examples: "This hole is a par-4.".
What is the par of a golf course?
The Par of a Golf Course. For 18 holes of golf, the par is the total number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to require to complete the course. Most full-size golf courses range from pars of 69 to 74, with par-70, par-71 and par-72 courses most common.
How many strokes to reach green on par 3?
On a par-3 hole, an expert golfer is expected to need only one stroke to reach the green, followed by two putts, for three strokes total. On a par-4, he should need two strokes to reach the green, followed by two putts, for four strokes total.
How many strokes are under par on a par 4?
This is also referred to as being "even-par" or " level par .". If you take five strokes to play a par-4 hole, then you are 1-over par for that hole; if you take three strokes on a par-4, you are 1- under par on that hole.
How many strokes does a par 5 take?
On a par-5, she is expected to reach the green in three strokes, followed by two putts, for five strokes total. There aren't official rules about how long a hole has to be to be called a par 3, 4 or 5, but governing bodies have published guidelines for the length of holes and par ratings .
What does the 13th hole mean?
It's a par-5 hole. What does that mean? In this case, it means that five is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to finish play of that hole.
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.
How Many Strokes In A Par?
Par is not the same between holes, it varies of course. And length is what is taken into account in determining the number of strokes needed for completing a hole. This is why the par-3 hole, since it’s a short one, requires a single stroke (by a highly skilled golfer), followed by two putts.
Connection Between Par and Scoring – Under Par Golf Scoring Terms
BIRDIE – 1-under par, that is 1 stroke under par is referred to as a birdie. Good examples would be 4 strokes on par-5, 3 strokes on par-4, and 2 strokes on par-3.
Connection Between Par and Distance
The logic is pretty straightforward – longer holes equal to higher par.
What Is the Average Par On A Golf Course?
That would be 72 for your regular 18-hole round of golf. As for a 9-hole golf course, the average is par-3.
Time to Wrap Things Up!
You can use the term ‘par’ in multiple ways for the game of golf. But USGA defines it as the total number of strokes any expert golfer would take for completing an individual hole. And it goes without saying that this also depends on the difficulty and length of the hole.
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 ...
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 on any 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. 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…