In golf, an albatross or double eagle
Par
In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round, or a tournament. Pars are the central component of stroke play, the most common kind of play in professional golf tournaments. The term is also used in golf-like sports such as disc golf, …
| Golf Scoring Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Birdie | One stroke under par on an individual hole. |
| Eagle | Two strokes under par on an individual hole. |
| Albatross / Double Eagle | Three strokes under par on an individual hole. |
| Condor | Four strokes under par on an individual hole. |
How do you score an albatross on a golf course?
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.
What's the difference between an albatross and a hole in one?
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. Only four condors have been recorded in PGA history.
What is the difference between Condor and 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). Condor - A "Condor" is when a golfer scores four strokes less than par on an individual golf hole.
What is the difference between albatrosses and Aces in golf?
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.
What comes after 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 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 condor score in golf?
In golf, "condor" is the popular term for a score of 4-under par on an individual hole. Among common golf holes, a condor is only possible on a par-5 hole. Scoring a condor is so rare that only a handful are known in the history of golf.
What are the golf scores called?
A golfer's score is compared with the par score. If a course has a par of 72 and a golfer takes 75 strokes to complete the course, the reported score is +3, or "three-over-par" and takes three shots more than par to complete the course.
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 a snowman in golf?
In golf, a snowman is something you very much want to avoid. That's because "snowman" is a slang term golfers use for a score of eight on any individual hole. Use eight strokes to play a hole and, sorry bud, you just made a "snowman." A golf snowman won't melt anything but your scorecard.
What is a vulture in golf?
Buzzard is a slang term in golf that means a score of 2-over par on a hole. Buzzard, in other words, is a synonym for a double bogey.
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.
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 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 does F mean in golf?
“FinishedWhat Does F Mean On A Golf Leaderboard? Sometimes, in the blue circle on the image above, you will see the letter “F” instead of a number like a 65 or 1-18. This simply means “Finished” and is another way of saying that player has completed their round for the day.
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.
Has anyone ever hit an ostrich in golf?
Ostriches almost never happen in golf. In fact, obtaining a score of five-under par has never happened in a professional golf match. This feat is so rare that there are no recorded instances of it actually happening.
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.
Has any golfer ever birdied all 18 holes?
They call it “Vision 54” and their star pupil, Annika Sorenstam, came as close to it as any woman ever has with the only 59 in LPGA Tour history. No man or woman on any significant professional golf tour has birdied all 18 holes—in other words, scored a 54—in a single round.
Whats a hole-in-one on a par 5 called?
condorA “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 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.
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);
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.
Why is it rare to score 3 under?
Scores of 3-under par on a hole are rare today, but were even rarer in the early part of the 20th century, when, because of equipment limitations, golfers generally hit the ball shorter distances. So a term for the score of 3-under might not even have been considered necessary for a long time.
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.
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.)
Can you score 3 on a par 6?
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.
How many golfers have hit an albatross?
Did you know that there are over 40 other professional players (men and women) that have hit an albatross in golf, including scoring a par 4 hole in one?
What Professional Golfers Have Made an Albatross?
Remarkably, there are numerous players that have shot an albatross in golf, such as Jack Nicklaus who in 1996 hit an albatross on the par 5, 18th hole at the Atlantic Beach Country Club.
Why is it Called an Albatross?
You have to go back to 1899 to first learn about the origins of the albatross term in golf.
How many under pars for a condor?
If you shoot a condor you are rewarding yourself with an incredible -4 under par for that hole!
What are the odds of hitting an albatross?
The odds of hitting an albatross are thought to be in the millions to one shot so don’t be staking your house on this unlikely event!
Who suggested when his ball was only a few inches away from the hole?
The story goes that in Atlantic City there was a foursomes match where one of the players, AB Smith suggested when his ball was only a few inches away from the hole, the quote tells us…
Is it Hard to Shoot an Albatross?
Most amateurs will never shoot an albatross in their lives. When you think about what is required to make this shot on a par 5 hole it seems impossible!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
How many strokes does it take to get a ball in a hole?
Getting the ball in the hole (cup) in only one stroke.
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.
Is an Albatross the best score you can achieve in golf?
While an albatross is impressive, it isn’t the best score you can achieve in golf.
Are there any notable Albatross’s?
The most famous albatross was Gene Sarazen’s “shot heard around the world,” which he achieved at Augusta National’s 485-yard Par 5 15th in the final round of the Masters in 1935.
Is there a difference between an Albatross and a Double Eagle?
An albatross and a double eagle are the same score: three strokes under par on any particular hole.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…