Trevor Ng
In golf, a double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious score of three-under-par on a single hole. It is typically achieved by making a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or by completing a par-5 hole in two shots. The odds of achieving a double eagle are estimated to be around one in a million for professional golfers and even lower for amateurs. Throughout golf history, only a handful of golfers have scored multiple double eagles, and only four double eagles have been recorded at the Masters Tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Albatross, eagle and a half |
| Description | A rare and prestigious golf score of three-under-par on a single hole |
| How to score | Either a hole-in-one on a par 4 or by completing a par-5 hole in just two shots |
| Odds | 1 in 6 million for amateurs, 1 in a million for professionals |
| Number scored by amateurs | 530 |
| Number scored by professionals | 451 |
| Number scored during casual play | 1,960 |
| Number scored during tournament play | 981 |
| Number scored during a Major Championship | 5 during LPGA Tour Majors, 14 during PGA Tour Majors, 3 during Champions Tour Majors |
| Notable double eagles | Gene Sarazen (1935), Jeff Maggert (1994, 2001), Louis Oosthuizen (2012), Bruce Devlin (1967) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Double eagles are rare
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious golf score of three-under-par on a single hole. The term "double eagle" is predominantly used in the United States, while "albatross" is more common in the UK and other parts of the world.
Double eagles are considered one of the rarest scores in golf, with odds estimated at around one in a million for professional golfers and even lower for amateurs. The odds of an amateur golfer scoring an albatross are estimated to be about six million to one. This makes the double eagle an even rarer feat than a hole-in-one, which is considered extremely rare in its own right.
The rarity of double eagles is due to the exceptional skill, precision, and luck required to achieve such a score. It typically involves either a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or completing a par-5 hole in just two shots. Notable golfers who have achieved albatrosses include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Gene Sarazen, whose famous "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in 1935 is credited with popularising the term "double eagle".
Despite their rarity, there have been several notable double eagles recorded in golf history. For example, in the history of The Masters Tournament, which dates back to 1934, there have only been four double eagles recorded, each occurring on a different hole. Additionally, Jeff Maggert is the only player to have scored a double eagle in more than one Major, achieving this feat in the 1994 Masters and 2001 British Open Championship.
Golfing on the Moon: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Double eagles are also known as albatrosses
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious golf score of three-under-par on a single hole. The term "double eagle" is more commonly used in the United States, while "albatross" is the preferred term in the UK and other parts of the world.
The achievement of a double eagle or albatross is considered one of the highest accomplishments in golf, requiring a combination of exceptional skill and luck. It is significantly rarer than a hole-in-one, with odds of around one in a million for professional golfers and even lower for amateurs.
To score a double eagle or albatross, a golfer must either make a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or complete a par-5 hole in just two shots. Notable golfers who have achieved this feat include Gene Sarazen, Bruce Devlin, Jeff Maggert, Louis Oosthuizen, and Jack Nicklaus.
The term "double eagle" first appeared in American golf vocabulary around the early 1900s, with one of its earliest documented uses in a 1920 issue of *The American Golfer* magazine. However, it was Gene Sarazen's famous shot at the 1935 Masters that is often credited with popularizing the term. In contrast, the term "albatross" was first used in British publications in 1929 and quickly became the standard in Scotland.
Whether referred to as a double eagle or an albatross, this scoring achievement is celebrated and recognized as a remarkable milestone in the golfing world.
Golf Clash Cheating: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ways to score a double eagle
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious golf score of three-under-par on a single hole. The term "double eagle" is more commonly used in the United States, while "albatross" is popular in the UK and other parts of the world.
There are two ways to score a double eagle:
- Make a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole: This is an extremely rare feat, as it requires a combination of skill and luck. The odds of a professional golfer making a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole are already low, at 2,500 to 1. Achieving a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole is even more challenging and unlikely.
- Complete a par-5 hole in just two shots: This method is equally challenging and uncommon. It requires exceptional skill and precision to achieve such a low score on a par-5 hole, which typically requires at least four strokes to complete.
Some notable instances of double eagles include:
- James Blane, age 14, scored a double eagle hole-in-one on a par-4, 303-yard hole at Badgemore Park Golf Club in the United Kingdom in 2007.
- Johnny Miller scored a double eagle on the par-5, 585-yard hole at the 1972 British Open Championship at Muirfield Golf Club.
- Bob Dickson, a 67-year-old former Champions Tour professional golfer, achieved a double eagle on the par-5 hole at TPC Sawgrass in 2011.
- Nikolai Wheeler, a 23-year-old professional golfer, scored a double eagle on the par-5, 520-yard hole at Hilton Head Lakes Golf Course in South Carolina in 2013.
- Rowan McCarthy, age 32, scored a double eagle on the par-5, 501-yard hole at Wembley Golf Course in Western Australia in 2022.
Double eagles are considered one of the rarest scores in golf, with odds estimated at around one in a million for professional golfers and even lower for amateurs. This rarity is due to the exceptional skill, precision, and luck required to achieve such a low score on a single hole.
Golfing with Am Fam: A Fun-Filled Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$21.12 $26.99
Notable double eagle scores
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious golf score of three-under-par on a single hole. It is significantly rarer than a hole-in-one, making it one of the most celebrated accomplishments in the sport. The term ""double eagle"" is more commonly used in the United States, while "albatross" is the preferred term in the UK and other parts of the world.
There have been several notable double eagle scores in golf history. Here are some examples:
Gene Sarazen, 1935
Gene Sarazen's double eagle at Augusta National in 1935 was a historic moment that sparked much debate over the terminology. The term "albatross" gained popularity due to this event, highlighting the exceptional difficulty and rarity of achieving such a score. This feat, known as the 'shot heard 'round the world', showcased the golfer's precision and control.
Tom Morris, Jr., 1870
Tom Morris, Jr. scored a double eagle at The Open in 1870, which was one of the earliest recorded instances of this achievement.
Jeff Maggert, 1994 and 2001
Jeff Maggert is the only player to have scored a double eagle in more than one Major. He achieved this feat at the 1994 Masters and again at the 2001 British Open Championship.
Tiger Woods (near miss)
Tiger Woods came extremely close to achieving a double eagle when his first shot on a par-5 hole was a 329-yard drive, leaving him with a very short second shot.
James Blane, 2007
James Blane, aged 14, scored a double eagle (hole-in-one) on the par 4, 303-yard 15th hole at Badgemore Park Golf Club in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2007.
Bob Dickson, 2011
Former Champions Tour professional golfer Bob Dickson, aged 67, made a double eagle at the par-5 second hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. He also had a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole, resulting in a remarkable round of golf.
These notable double eagle scores showcase the rarity and skill required to achieve this prestigious feat in golf.
The Greatest Golfer Debate: Who's the GOAT?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Odds of scoring a double eagle
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious golf score of three-under-par on a single hole. It is achieved by making a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or by completing a par-5 hole in just two shots.
The odds of scoring a double eagle vary depending on the skill level of the golfer. For professional golfers, the odds are estimated to be around one in a million, or 1,000,000/1, and even lower for amateurs. Some sources give odds of 6,000,000/1 for amateurs, while others put the odds for amateurs with higher handicaps at over a million-to-one. For professional players, the odds are estimated to be around 72,000/1.
The rarity of double eagles is due to the exceptional skill and precision required to achieve such a score, as well as the element of luck involved in making the perfect shots. While it is possible for amateurs to score a double eagle, it is extremely rare, and even at the highest levels of professional golf, they are very infrequent.
According to the PGA Tour, there have been 32 double eagles in the last 10 years, with an average of around 3 per year. In 2013, there were 2 double eagles out of approximately 281,000 holes played, giving odds of about 109,000 to 1. Assuming a similar number of holes played in most years, and an average of about 3 double eagles per year, the odds for a PGA tour player drop to about 72,000 to 1.
Several famous double eagles have been recorded in golf history, including those by Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Zach Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, and Yani Tseng. These achievements are celebrated as legendary feats within professional golf circles.
Golf Rangefinders: Slope Legality
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare golf score of three-under-par on a single hole. This can be achieved by making a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or by completing a par-5 hole in just two shots.
Double eagles are incredibly rare in golf, even for professionals. They are considered to be as difficult or more difficult to achieve than a hole-in-one. The odds of achieving a double eagle are estimated to be around one in a million for professional golfers and even lower for amateurs.
Some notable golfers who have achieved double eagles include Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Jeff Maggert, and Louis Oosthuizen. Gene Sarazen's double eagle in the 1935 Masters is often regarded as the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" due to its significance in the tournament's outcome.
