
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. A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an "albatross").
Full Answer
What's the difference between a bogey and an eagle in golf?
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. A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an " albatross ").
What is a double eagle in golf?
A double eagle in golf is when you score 3 under par on a hole. This requires you to hole out your second shot on a par 5 or score a hole-in-one on a par 4. According to the National Hole in One Association the odds of scoring a double-eagle is approximately 6,000,000 to 1.
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.
Why is it called an eagle on a hole in golf?
"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.

What is lower than an eagle in golf?
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. A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an "albatross").
What are the 7 golf scoring terms?
We've compiled a list of 100+ golf terms that are useful to know, but the golf scoring terms we'll cover in this guide are among the most essential when you're out on the course or watching televised golf.
Is a 3 on a par 5 an 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. The name "eagle" was used to represent a better score than a birdie due to it being a relatively large bird.
Is 2-under par an eagle?
An “eagle” in golf means a score 2-under par on each hole. This golf term is really easy to understand. All there is to know to get the equivalent strokes you need to target to get an eagle score on a particular hole is the par. As you may have known already, each hole on a course is assigned a par.
What is the difference between a double eagle and an albatross?
An albatross, also called a double eagle, is a score of three-under-par on a single hole. This is most commonly achieved with two shots on a par-5, but can be done with a hole-in-one on a par-4.
What is a condor in golf terms?
Scoring a condor is the rarest event in golf. This is normally a hole in one at a par five (a two at a par six would also count, but this has never been done). Only five condors have ever been recorded: The most recent was Kevin Pon, who made a 2 on a par 6 at Lake Chabot Golf Course on the 10th December 2020.
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. Frankly, this is a case of folklore.
Is a 2 on a par 3 an eagle?
In golf, "eagle" is the term used when a golfer scores 2-under par on any individual hole. Each hole on a golf course is designated as a par 3, par 4 or par 5 (and rarely par 6), with "par" representing the number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to need to complete play of that hole.
What is an albatross on golf?
Albatross: This term means three under par, but the "double eagle" synonym is simply a continuation of the aviary theme of good scores. The albatross is rare, as is a three under par.
What is a 3 under par called?
Albatross. An albatross is—you guessed it—a term for three under par. Like the bird itself, achieving an albatross in golf is rare indeed.
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.
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.
How many strokes does a golfer 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? Good ones and lucky ones. Even the best golfers on the planet go eagle-less in most rounds.
What does "eagle" mean in golf?
Updated May 24, 2019. In golf, "eagle" is the term used when a golfer scores 2-under par on any individual hole . Each hole on a golf course is designated as a par 3, par 4 or par 5 (and rarely par 6 ), with " par " representing the number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to need to complete play of that hole.
What is the first putt on a par 5?
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-par on a single hole. The hierarchy of avian terms for golf holes is this: There's also the " condor ," which is ...
What is an eagle putt?
For example, an "eagle putt" is any putt that, if the golfer makes it, results in a score of eagle.
What score do you need to make an eagle?
The Scores Needed to Make An Eagle. So if an eagle is a score of 2-under on a hole, that means you make an eagle by: Scoring a 1 on a par-3 hole. Scoring a 2 on a par-4 hole. Scoring a 3 on a par-5 hole. Scoring a 4 on a par-6 hole. Eagles are most commonly made on par-5s, holes on which some golfers who hit the ball far can reach ...
Can you call a hole in one a triple eagle?
There's also the " condor ," which is the term for 4-under on a hole—a hole-in-one on a par-5, in other words. Yes, you could also call that a "triple eagle," if you really wanted to. But the fact is, aces on par-5 holes are so rare (only a handful have been recorded in all of golf history) it's not something any of us need to worry about.
Is an eagle a hole in one?
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 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.
What is an albatross?
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).
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
How many strokes are required to finish a 150 yard hole?
So a 150-yard hole is one on which the expert is expected to hit the green with his tee shot, take two putts, and, therefore, require three strokes to finish that hole.
How many strokes does a double bogey take?
Double bogey: You finished the hole in 7 strokes. Triple bogey: You finished the hole in 8 strokes. Par-4 Hole. Double eagle: On a par-4, means you finished the hole in 1 stroke — a hole-in-one (very, very rare on par-4 holes) Eagle: You finished the hole in 2 strokes. Birdie: You finished the hole in 3 strokes.
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.
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?
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.
Is Scoring An Eagle A Good Thing In Golf?
There’s just no denying that an eagle, even though it rarely occurs in the game of golf, is supposed to be very good. It actually is a valid cause for celebration. You should be nothing but proud of yourself and your impressive golfing skills if you get an eagle.
How Rare Is An Eagle In Golf?
So much talk about scoring an eagle whereas it’s such a rare occurrence because of how challenging it is for golfers, even PGA Tour pros, to actually aim for an eagle. You have to be able to maneuver your golfing skills to achieve this particular goal.
Eagle In Golf – How to Score One?
If you’re an average golfer, then chances are you won’t be able to make an eagle. But you can always try. So here’s how to improve those odds stacked up against you. The ultimate goal here is to hit your shots farther so you’re closer to the hole. And if you’re closer to the hole, you’re more likely to hit the next shot right into that hole.
What Is A Double-Eagle In Golf?
If an eagle is rare then a double-eagle is its even rarer sibling. The latter means a score of 3-under par on the hole, which, only when possible, is done on just a par-4 hole or a longer one.
How Many Strokes for An Eagle In Golf?
Based on the definition of eagle i.e. 2-under par, you need to achieve the following to earn an eagle…
What Does It Really Mean When You Score An Eagle In Golf?
You’re sure to become a golf legend if you can make eagles all the time. No doubt, this would boost your confidence levels to a whole new height. And talk about crushing your fellow golfers and competitors!

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 …