
Get to know your Golf Scoring Language
Golf Score Terms | What does it Actually Mean |
Albatross/double eagle | 3 strokes under par on a hole-no idea wh ... |
Eagle | 2 strokes under par on a hole |
Birdie | 1 stroke under par on a hole |
Par | Score a good player would expect to make ... |
Why do they call it a birdie in golf?
6 rows · That one is understandable. A bird was a slang word meaning something nice, tidy, or good in the ...
Where did the golfing terms bogey par par birdie and Albatross come from?
Golfing Terms - why the birds? To score one under par in golf is described as getting a 'birdie'. If you get two under it is an 'eagle, and three under is an 'albatross'. The origin on the term birdie is said to go back to a time early last century, when after a score of one under par on a hole, the golfer exclaimed loudly 'what a bird of a shot'.
Why is a birdie called an eagle?
Dec 03, 2019 · Bear with me, it’ll all make sense. I only bring that up because of the focus of today’s article. We all know the common terms for scoring. One under is …
What is an Eagles in golf?
Mar 27, 2020 · Towards the end of the Nineteenth century, bird was American slang used frequently to describe a person or thing of excellence, such as, ‘He is a perfect bird of a man.’" Speaking of perfect birds...

Why are golf shots names after birds?
Why is it called birdie and eagle in golf?
What are the bird names 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.
Why is a golf shot called a bogey?
Why is it called skins in golf?
What is a mulligan in golf?
Has anyone ever made a condor in golf?
How rare is an eagle in golf?
He made 18 eagles over 2,124 holes (0.85% of holes). While Sungjae Im had the most eagles in 2019, Martin Laird made the most eaglesper holes played.Jul 14, 2021
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.'.
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 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).
Who is the youngest golfer to win the Open?
Tom Morris Jnr Youngest Open Winner. 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.
What is the birdie in golf?
Golfing Terms - why the birds? To score one under par in golf is described as getting a 'birdie'. If you get two under it is an 'eagle, and three under is an 'albatross'. The origin on the term birdie is said to go back to a time early last century, when after a score of one under par on a hole, the golfer exclaimed loudly 'what a bird of a shot'.
What is the meaning of "one under par" in golf?
To score one under par in golf is described as getting a 'birdie'. If you get two under it is an 'eagle, and three under is an 'albatross'. The origin on the term birdie is said to go back to a time early last century, when after a score of one under par on a hole, the golfer exclaimed loudly 'what a bird of a shot'.
What is a condor in golf?
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. Generally, the only way to accomplish a condor is to massively "cut off" a "dogleg" par-5 golf hole for a hole-in-one.
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 ...
What is the par score for 18 holes?
Full-length 18-hole golf courses include par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes. "Course Par" for the 18 holes will usually be between 69-73, with par-72 being most common for an 18-hole golf course.
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 yards is a par 4?
Par-4 – 211 to 400 yards. Par-5 – 401 to 575 yards. The golf scoring term "Par" is also used to reference the combined par of a group of golf holes. Full-length 18-hole golf courses include par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
Is golf a different sport?
Golf is no different. Someone new to the game might find many of them rather confusing at first. Given the age and popularity of the sport, golf probably has quite a few more than many other sports. Evened seasoned players often come across a term of reference that is new to them. In order to demystify the sport and give players a better ...
What is the back nine of a golf course?
Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Dimples – Golf balls have dimples to improve aerodynamics and regulate spin. The right number and design of dimples for your swing could improve performance. Divot – When striking the ball a chunk of turf from beneath the ball is often displaced. The remaining mark or hole is known as a divot.
What is a fat shot in golf?
The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.
What is a local rule in golf?
Local Rule – Specific rule or rules that are not mainstream and only for that particular golf course. Long – A term for a golfer who hits the ball far (Dustin Johnson). Long Game – Refers to hitting long irons, woods, hybrids, and driver. Lob Wedge – A type of wedge that is usually in the 60 to 64-degree range.
What is the stroke of a golf club?
Stroke – Any swing with a golf club from a golfer that is addressing and trying to hit the golf ball. Stroke Play – This format, sometimes called medal play, is based on the total number of strokes over a round or a fixed number of rounds.

'Birdie' Based on Early American Slang
The Birth of 'Birdie' in Atlantic City
- Who first used "birdie" on a golf course? Most sources point to Atlantic City Country Club in Atlantic City, N.J., as the place of origin. The USGA Museum cites the book Fifty Years of American Golf, published in 1936, which itself references a match played at Atlantic City Country Club in 1899. Atlantic City Country Club itself, however, says the match was in 1903, so that's th…
'Eagle' Soon Followed 'Birdie' Into Existence
- Unlike with birdie, we don't know the time and place that "eagle" entered the golf lexicon. But it was very soon after the creation of "birdie." The same Ab Smith who coined "birdie" said that he also recalled using "eagle" at ACCC soon thereafter. Eagle was just a natural extension of the avian theme of birdie. What's better than 1-under? Two-under. What's bigger, grander, more maje…