An albatross occurs when a golfer gets the ball into the hole three strokes under par. For example, on a par 5, an albatross will arise if it only took two strokes to get the ball in. If the hole was a par six and you got the ball into the hole in three strokes, it will also be an albatross.
Full Answer
What is an albatross in golf?
An albatross in golf is explained as scoring a three-under-par on an individual hole. This rare shot in golf is also known as a -3 under par and can only be achieved on at least a par 5 hole. Why is it Called an Albatross?
How many golfers make an albatross in 2 shots?
Considering that only approximately 10% of golfers have the length and ability to reach a par 5 in 2 shots, the other 90% of golfers don’t have a chance of ever making an albatross.
What is the difference between an albatross and an ace?
Albatrosses are far rarer than aces . Remember that " par " is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of a hole. And each hole on a golf course is assigned a par rating. With that in mind, a golfer gets to claim an albatross by:
Can you make an albatross on a par-6 hole?
Par-6 holes are rare in golf, but they do exist. So you can also make an albatross by scoring 3 on a par-6. Albatrosses on par-3 holes are impossible.
What score is an albatross in golf?
Albatross or Double Eagle An albatross is achieved when a player either aces a par 4, or scores a "2" on a par 5.
Is the albatross the best score in golf?
In Conclusion Scoring an albatross is one of the most unlikely scores on a hole. Only 10% of golfers are capable of achieving this. The odds of achieving this heat is rated as 6,000,000 to 1 compared to odds of 5,000 to one of a low handicap golfer scoring an ace.
What is the rarest shot in golf?
A score on a hole equal to three strokes under par in golf is called an albatross or double eagle. An albatross is achieved when a player either scores a two on a par 5 or aces a par 4. In golf, albatrosses are even more rare than a hole in one.
What is more rare a hole-in-one or an albatross?
The National Hole-in-One Registry reports that the odds of a PGA Tour player making a hole in one at 3,000-to-1. The average golfer has a 12,000-to-1 chance. Meanwhile, the Double Eagle Club says the odds of an albatross are 6 million-to-1.
Has anyone ever aced a par 5?
Although no one in PGA Tour history has ever recorded an ace on a par-5, there have actually been five records of par-5 holes-in-one. And no, none of them were from Happy Gilmore. The first “condor” occurred in 1962 off the club of Larry Bruce.
Has Tiger Woods made a hole-in-one?
Woods has 20 holes-in-one, although, perhaps surprisingly, only three of those came on the PGA Tour. Even more strangely, those came in three successive years, way back in the 1990s. The first of Woods' PGA Tour aces came in the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open in his debut appearance as a professional.
What is a par 5 hole-in-one called?
A “condor” is term given to a hole-in-one on a par 5. It is almost as rare as two hole-in-ones in a single game of golf.
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 an 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 hole in 1 on a par 4 called?
Your odds of shooting an “albatross” — a hole in one on a par-4 (most holes in one are nailed on par-3s) — are even more steep: Try a staggering 6 million-to-1, according to the Double Eagle Club (though some believe it might be closer to 1 million-to-1).
Has anyone ever hit a hole-in-one on a par 4?
There has been one hole-in-one on a par 4 in PGA Tour history. That famously came at the 2001 Phoenix Open, when Andrew Magee's tee shot on the 332-yard 17th at TPC Scottsdale fortuitously bounded off Tom Byrum's putter and into the hole for an ace.
Who has the most albatrosses in golf?
Jeff MaggertThe most common way to make an albatross is getting the ball in the cup in two shots on a par-5. To date, this is how every albatross at a Major has been achieved. The only golfer to have made more than one albatross at a Major (instantly becoming the answer to a trivia question) is Jeff Maggert.
Is there anything better than an albatross 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 perfect golf score called?
The perfect round (score of 54 on a par-72 course) is most commonly described as scoring a birdie on all 18 holes, but no player has ever recorded a perfect round in a professional tournament.
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.
What's better than a hole-in-one?
Scoring an albatross is one of golf's rarest achievements Very, very difficult — a double eagle is much rarer than the hole-in-one. To score an albatross, a golfer has to hole out in two strokes (record a score of two) on a par-5 hole, or make a hole-in-one (a score of one) on a par-4 hole.
What is an Example of an Albatross Shot in Golf?
An albatross occurs when a golfer gets the ball into the hole three strokes under par. For example, on a par 5 , an albatross will arise if it only took two strokes to get the ball in. If the hole was a par six and you got the ball into the hole in three strokes, it will also be an albatross.
How to Get an Albatross Shot on the Golf Course?
Typically, golfers will get a double eagle on a par-5 hole on their second shot. The first shot puts them in a favorable spot on the green usually goes over the dogleg on the course. The second shot that they take is the one that syncs the ball into the hole.
Has Anyone got an Albatross in the U.S. Open?
Three players got a double eagle during the U.S. Open as of January 2022. Their names are Chen Tze-Chung, Shaun Micheel, and Nick Watney. The most recent occurrence of the double eagle in the U.S. Open was in 2012.
Has Anyone got an Albatross in The Open Championship?
Eight professional golfers got a double eagle during The Open Championship as of January 2022. The players’ names include Young Tom Morris, Jonny Miller, Manny Zerman, Greg Own, Greg Evans, Paul Lawrie, and Bill Rogers.
Has Anyone Women Golfers got this on an LPGA Tour?
As of January 2022, four women were able to accomplish an albatross. The four women are Dawn Coe-Jones, Asa Gottmo, Karen Stupples, and Vikki Laing. Three out of the four times it has occurred came from the Women’s British Open.
Is There Anything Better than an Albatross Shot in Golf?
The rarest shot in golf belongs to a condor, where you are four under par. As of January 2022, there have only been six players to achieve that. Interestingly, all of the six players were amateur golfers.
What does "albatross" mean in golf?
In golf, "albatross" is a term for scoring 3-under par on an individual hole. Yes, albatross is another word for a double eagle - the two terms are identical in meaning.
When was albatross first used?
According to ScottishGolfHistory.org, the earliest use of albatross, in its golf sense, in print occurred in a British newspaper in 1929. The British Golf Museum, meanwhile, says that "albatross" became commonly used by golfers only in the 1930s.
What is the par rating on a golf course?
Remember that " par " is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of a hole. And each hole on a golf course is assigned a par rating. With that in mind, a golfer gets to claim an albatross by: Scoring a 1 (making a hole-in-one) on a par-4 hole; Scoring 2 on a par-5 hole.
How many albatrosses have been scored in the Masters?
In the entire history of The Masters, there have been only four albatrosses scored (they are listed on our Masters Records page);
Who said "It is an albatross bird"?
Perhaps golfer and U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy said it best: "It (an albatross bird) is grand, which is what describes the shot.". (The shot being the one the golfer holed out with to make the score.)
Who said growing up it was always an albatross?
Another Australian golfer, John Senden, said the same thing: "Growing up it was always an albatross. I never knew it was anything different until I was maybe 15."
Is an albatross a double eagle?
Yes, albatross is another word for a double eagle - the two terms are identical in meaning. But, as we'll see below, albatross is the more widely used term. Albatrosses - save for holes-in-one on par-5s, which are nearly (but not quite) non-existent - are the rarest scores in golf. Albatrosses are far rarer than aces .
What is an albatross in golf?
No Comments. An Albatross, also known as “Double Eagle”, is a golf scoring term that is three (3) strokes less than the par rating a specific hole has. It is also recognized as 3-under par.
How to score an albatross?
Scoring an albatross may sound like you need luck to be on your side, but there is one thing you can do to improve your chances. Practice your shots! Make your shots better, powerful. Make them pierce through and go the distance. Securing more distance in each strike means fewer strokes necessary to complete a hole.
What is better than albatross?
If albatross is rare, is there a rarer score? There is and it is called a Condor or 4-under par, which basically means scoring 1 on a par 5 hole or 2 on a par 6.
How many strokes to score an albatross?
This means to deal with this fair and square you need to complete it utilizing five (5) strokes. However, if you are that kind of a golf player carrying much power and precision in every strike, and completed it with just two (2) strokes, then in that case you just scored an albatross. A score of 1 is an albatross in a par 4 hole.
What is an ace in golf?
Hole-in-One or Ace is basically completing a hole with just a single strike. So, in a par-4 hole for instance, completing it with just one (1) stroke would be a hole-in-one score, but at the same time an albatross.
Is albatross rare in golf?
Albatross is a very rare sight in the golf field. It’s rare that only a handful of golf players scored albatross in major tournaments. About a million-to-one if ratio helps you imagine the rarity of it. But this should not discourage you from even trying. You’ll have a chance at it as you gain experience.
Is an albatross a bird?
Well, if it is not obvious already, 3-under par and the bird albatross has one thing in common. That is, they are both rare. It is for this reason albatross is used to name a score three under par in agreement to the bird theme in golf scores.
What Is The History Of An Albatross In Golf?
An albatross can grow to a massive wingspan of twelve feet, symbolizing how noteworthy scoring one is.
What club do you use to score an albatross?
Pros also know which club they need for the shot they’re trying to make. Most albatrosses are scored with irons of various sizes. The reason is likely because irons are great middle-ground clubs for your second shot, which is the easiest for scoring a double eagle on a par-five course.
How to score an albatross?
If you want to score one, practice with your irons, drivers, and wedges, if needed. You’ll need consistently strong and far-flying shots to beat the par by three strokes or more.
How many yards did Joey Sindelar land on the par 5 course?
Athletes have scored a few albatrosses in recent history as well. During the PGA Championship of 2006, Joey Sindelar landed one over 241 yards on a par-five course. It was the third double eagle in the competition’s lifetime and the first since 1995.
What is the best day to practice for an albatross?
When it comes to practice, I suggest picking sunny, low-wind days to hit the green. The weather is unpredictable, but scoring an albatross takes a lot of luck, so minimize any other factors that could get in the way.
When was the first albatross scored?
In fact, despite the growing popularity of golf leading into the 20th century, the first famous albatross wasn’t scored until 1935. That was when Gene Sarazen tied for first in the 1935 Masters Tournament before winning the tiebreaker the next day.
Why do professional golfers play at different venues?
Professionals play at certain country clubs and other venues multiple times, so they get to know the courses they’re playing on. Doing so drastically improves their chances of scoring well. If you have a favorite venue for playing golf, study the holes and practice often.
What is an albatross in golf?
The History of The Albatross in Golf. A par score on a hole is predetermined by the golf club and refers to the number of shots that a good golfer should require to get the ball from the tee into the hole. Before the 1900s golf was scored in the number of shots under or below par. An albatross would be referred to as a 3 under par score.
How many albatrosses are there in golf?
Par 5 holes require you to hole out on your approach shot and this is where most albatrosses are recorded. Of the 18 albatrosses scored in major championships, 17 have been scored on par 5s. Considering that only approximately 10% of golfers have the length and ability to reach a par 5 in 2 shots, the other 90% of golfers don’t have a chance of ever making an albatross.
What Exactly Is A Albatross?
Albatross is the term used when a player gets the ball into the cup using 3 shots less than the pare score for the hole. The term was initiated in Britain staying in line with the avian them of birdies and eagles.
How to qualify as an albatross?
To qualify as an albatross, you have to hole out your tee shot from a par 4. Initially, this was unlikely but with the equipment available today, the strength of the players and many tournaments setting up a risk-and-reward drivable par 4s it may become a more frequent occurrence on par 4s.
What are some interesting facts about albatrosses?
Some Facts About Albatrosses in Major Tournaments 1 Only 18 Albatrosses in men’s’ Major history and 4 in women’s major tournaments 2 4 in the Masters (last achieved in 2012) 3 3 in the U.S. Open (last achieved in 2012) 4 18 in The Open Championship (oldest major) (last achieved in 2009) 5 3 in the PGA Championship (last achieved in 2006) 6 3 in Women’s Open championship (last achieved in 2014)
What are the odds of getting an albatross?
The odds of achieving an albatross are set at 6 million to 1. The chances of being struck by lightning (1 in 555,000) making it more likely that you will be struck by lightning than scoring an albatross.
Who has the rarest shot in golf?
Besides a “condor”, an albatross is the rarest shot in golf. Only 1 golfer has been able to achieve this feat twice in major tournaments. The only golfer to score 2 albatrosses in a major tournament is Jeff Maggert in the Masters in the 4 th round on the par 5, 13 th hole on 5 April 10, 1994, and in the 1 st round par 5, 6th hole of the Open Championship on July 19, 2001
What Is an Albatross in Golf?
Albatross is an extremely rare golf shot that entails scoring a 2 on a par-5 hole or three under par on a particular golf hole. To make an Albatross, you need to take two perfect shots under par, the latter taking the ball into the hole.
When was the last albatross in the PGA Tour?
The last Albatross in a PGA Tour was recorded in 2020. With two more Albatrosses scored in the same year, it’s likely for amateur golfers to make this shot, even if the odds are a million to one.
Why Is It Called an Albatross?
Albatross is a scoring term in the game of golf. It’s called an Albatross because the shot is as rare as the seabird itself. But why Albatross when three-under-par could literally be anything? To understand the clearly visible aviary theme in golfing, we have to take a look at the golf history.
What is the trickiest shot in golf?
Albatross is one of the trickiest shots in golf. It’s when you score a 2 on a par 5 or make three strokes under par on a single hole. Only a handful of professional golfers could achieve it, making the odds of scoring an albatross exceptionally rare for the average golfer!
How many times have albatrosses been made?
Albatrosses have been made a total of 18 times in Major golfing events. Shaun Micheel gave the world a spectacular scene in the final round of the US Open at the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
What is an eagle in golf?
An eagle in golf is a play on the scoring term Birdie, denoting two under par on a hole. Then there’s Double Eagle, which is three under par on a hole in a golfing tournament. As you might have guessed, Double is another name for Albatross.
When did Albatross become popular?
It became popular within golf terminology in America after golfing legend Gene Sarazen secured an Albatross for the first time in the 1935 Masters.
What does albatross mean in golf?
In golf, an albatross is something that most golfers will never have the fortune to make. This scoring term, which represents three strokes under par on a single hole, is extremely difficult to achieve.
Who has scored an albatross in golf?
Other pro golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Shaun Micheel and Joey Sindelar, have scored albatrosses in their careers. A notable, recent albatross and belongs to Nicholas Thompson, who achieved the feat at the 2009 Fry.com Open.
What hole did the golfer make an albatross on?
After making an albatross on the par-5 11th hole, he made a hole-in-one on the par-3 13th hole. The back-to-back albatross and hole-in-one is an extremely rare occurrence in the game.
How to score an albatross?
Scoring an albatross on a given hole requires that you are playing on a par-5 hole. If you were to hole out three shots below par on a par-4, this accomplishment would technically be called a hole-in-one rather than an albatross. On a par-5 hole, you would need to sink your second shot to achieve an albatross.
Who was the first professional golfer to record an albatross?
Notable Albatrosses. PGA Tour legend Gene Sarazen was the first professional golfer to record an albatross in one of golf's four modern major events, and he did so when the stakes were high. Sarazen earned this rare score on the par-5 15th hole of the 1935 Masters, which forced a tie for the lead and a subsequent playoff that he won.
Can you make an albatross on a par 5?
Because it's only possible on a par-5 hole, this limits your chances of an albatross to the number of par-5 holes on the course . Although you have a chance to make a 1-under-par birdie or even a 2-under-par eagle on any hole on any given course, the albatross remains highly elusive. Sorry, the video player failed to load.
Do golfers score albatross?
Several professional golfers have scored an albatross in a tour event, but the list remains relatively short compared with the number of holes collectively played by all the golfers in PGA Tour and LPGA Tour history.
The Scores That Result in An Albatross
How Rare Are Albatrosses in Golf?
- Veryrare. Consider these facts: 1. In the entire history of The Masters, there have been only four albatrosses scored (they are listed on our Masters Recordspage); 2. In the U.S. Open, only three albatrosses have ever been recorded (listed in the US Open FAQ); 3. And over the first 60 years of the LPGA Tour's history, a total of only 30 albatrosses were scored.
Origins of The Golf Use of 'Albatross'
- You know what an albatross is in golf, but why that word? How did "albatross" come to be used as the word for 3-under par on a hole? It was simply in keeping with the already established avian theme of terms applied to below-par golf scores. Birdie, for 1-under par on a hole, came first. Eagle, for 2-under par, evolved next. (See The Origins of Birdie and Eagle in Golffor more about t…
Double Eagle vs. Albatross
- The two terms are identical in meaning, but where are they used? This is easy: "Double eagle" is the preferred term in the United States, "albatross" is used almost everywhere else. Why "double eagle" came to be the commonly used term in the U.S. probably dates to the 1935 Masters. That's where Gene Sarazenhit a shot that is still among the most famous in golf history, a par-5 hole-ou…