
The hierarchy of avian terms for golf holes is this:
- Birdie: 1-under on a hole
- Eagle: 2-under on a hole
- Double eagle (or albatross): 3-under on a hole
Scoring Term | What It Means |
---|---|
Ace | Hole in one |
Albatross/double eagle | Three strokes under par on a hole |
Eagle | Two strokes under par on a hole |
Birdie | One stroke under par on a hole |
What is an eagle in golf?
Nov 05, 2021 · An Eagle in golf is when the golfer gets the ball in the hole in two less than the stated par – the number of shots it should take to complete the hole. An Eagle on par-three would be holing the ball in one shot. An Eagle on par-four involves completing the hole in three shots. An Eagle on par-five means finishing the hole in three shots.
Why do golfers put an eagle on a 2-under on a hole?
Mar 02, 2022 · 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. Sometimes an eagle may be scored by a player holing out a longer …
Is it possible to shoot an eagle on a golf course?
Jul 15, 2021 · Albatross / Double Eagle - An "Albatross" or "Double Eagle" is when a golfer scores three fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 2 strokes on a par-5 hole. An Albatross is far rarer than even a hole-in-one (ace). Condor - A "Condor" is when a golfer scores four strokes less than par on an individual golf hole. A hole in one on a par 5 is a condor.
How do you score an eagle in golf?
According to Scottish golf lore, the term eagle was coined as an extension of the term birdie. It was coined as a way of saying big birdie, since an eagle is such a large bird. Double-Eagle. Even rarer than an eagle is a double-eagle, in which a golfer shoots 3 under par on a hole. This is only possible on par-4 or longer holes.

What is after eagle in golf?
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What is a ostrich in golf?
What is a condor in golf?
What does E mean in a golf score?
How many points is an eagle in golf?
What is a turkey in golf?
What is the golden rule of golf?
What is dormie in golf?
: being ahead by as many holes in golf as remain to be played in match play.
What is a frosty in golf?
What is snowman in golf?
What is a bogey in golf?
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'.
When was the eagle introduced to golf?
By 1919 the term was being introduced to Britain, as when Mr H D Gaunt's explained the use of 'birdie' and 'eagle' that he met in Canada. 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).
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 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 does "birdie" mean in golf?
Birdie. "Birdie", meaning a score of one stroke under Par, comes from the early 20th century American slang term "bird", meaning anything excellent. The September 1911 edition of Maclean Magazine described a golf shot as - '"bird" straight down the course, about two hundred and fifteen yards.'.
When were bogey competitions introduced?
This allowed the introduction of bogey competitions, which we would call handicap competitions or stablefords. On 2nd January 1892, The Field reported that 'a novelty was introduced in the shape of a bogey tournament for a prize. ... Fourteen couples started but the bogey defeated them all.'.
When did golf clubs start assigning scratch scores?
By 1914, British golf magazines were agitating for a ratings system similar to the US. However the Great War 1914-18 intervened and it was not until 1925 that a Golf Unions' Joint Advisory Committee of the British Isles was formed to assign Standard Scratch Scores (SSS), to golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland.
EAGLES ON PAR THREES
Eagles on par threes are the rarest and possibly the most unique type of score in golf. This is because it requires getting the ball in the hole in just one shot – a HOLE IN ONE.
EAGLES ON PAR FOURS
Eagles on par fours require the golfer to get the ball in the hole in two shots. Often, this comes when they ‘hole out’ from the fairway with an iron or a wedge. Because of this, eagles on par-four holes are pretty rare.
EAGLES ON PAR FIVES
Most eagles in golf come on par fives. This is because par 5s are often only a hundred to a hundred and fifty yards longer than par four holes, meaning golfers can get onto them in two shots with a long drive followed by a long iron, hybrid, or fairway wood.
FAMOUS EAGLES IN GOLF
Eagles are relatively rare, and because of their dramatic impact on your score, they are also very memorable! Many of the most famous holes ever played have resulted in eagles.
What is an eagle in golf?
Getting an Eagle in golf is something many players strive for, amateurs and professionals alike. If you are wondering, what is an eagle in golf, it is a term for a score.
Why is it called an eagle in golf?
What are Eagles? A big bird, of course. Scoring two under the par is called an Eagle because it is a ‘big birdie.’
What does it mean to be a birdie in golf?
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 birdie has been used to refer to one score less than the par in golf.
How to mark an eagle on a golf scorecard?
An eagle can be marked on a golf scorecard by putting two circles around the score for that particular hole.
How many strokes do you need to get a birdie?
Remember, four strokes will result in a birdie.
How are scores calculated in golf?
The scores of golf are usually calculated relative to the par.
Can you practice eagles on any hole?
Most holes in any golf course would be eligible for practicing eagles, as you can get a 2 below on any hole .
How many strokes to get an eagle?
Eagles are most commonly achieved by reaching a par-5 green in 2 strokes, then completing the hole with one putt. Albatross / Double Eagle - An " Albatross " or " Double Eagle " is when a golfer scores three fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 2 strokes on a par-5 hole.
What hole do you put an aces on?
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.
What does "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.
What is a forward club swing?
Any forward club swing that's intended to hit the golf ball. The number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or a group of holes (usually 9 or 18). One stroke under par on an individual hole. Two strokes under par on an individual hole. Three strokes under par on an individual hole.
What is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating?
Distance, or more specifically "effective distance" (the distance a hole plays after accounting for whether it's uphill/downhill, its elevation, etc.), is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating.
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 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.
What does it mean to be an eagle in golf?
Definition. Eagle, as defined in golf, is a score of two strokes under par on a hole. As a verb, to eagle is to shoot 2-under par on any given hole.
What is the meaning of the word "eagle" in golf?
According to Scottish golf lore, the term eagle was coined as an extension of the term birdie. It was coined as a way of saying big birdie, since an eagle is such a large bird.
What is a hole in one?
Hole-in-One. Often, when a hole-in-one is recorded, that shot doubles as an eagle. That is because most holes-in-one take place on par-3 holes. Should a golfer hole in on the tee shot, that golfer would record a 1, recording 2-under par on the hole.
Can you hit a hole in one on par 4?
This is only possible on par-4 or longer holes. On par-4s, it requires a golfer to hit a hole-in-one, which almost never happens. On par-5s, it requires a golfer to hole her second shot, which, again, is an extremely rare occurrence.
Can you record an eagle on a par 4?
This is because, should a golfer hit two long shots to start the hole, that player then can be faced with a long putt or chip on his third shot. Should the golfer hole that shot, he records an eagle. To do so on a par-4 is quite difficult as it requires holing in on the second shot.
Why Is It Called Eagle In Golf?
According to the H.B. Martin book Fifty Years of American Golf, the eagle golf term traces its roots back to Atlantic City in the early 1900s.
How Do You Mark an Eagle on a Golf Scorecard?
When you card an eagle, you mark the score down and add two circles around it. Below I go into more detail on scoring an eagle on a par 3, 4, and 5.
How Rare Is An Eagle In Golf?
In golf, eagles are not especially common, as the best chance you have at making one is on a short par 5, where the green is reachable in two shots. That chance may only come around once in 18 holes for the longer hitters, as not all par 5s are short enough to reach in two.
What Is Better Than An Eagle In Golf?
If you card an albatross, it works out to 3 under par. In the more than two decades that I have played golf, I have only had the pleasure of witnessing an albatross once.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the meaning of an eagle in golf is a score of 2 under the par on a specific hole. That means on a par 3, you need to bag a hole-in-one, and on a par 4, you need to sink your second shot.

What Is An Eagle in Golf?
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 ...
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…