Trevor Ng
In golf, an eagle is a term used to describe a score of two strokes under par on a particular hole. The term eagle follows the avian theme of the term birdie, which means one stroke under par. An eagle is a rare and remarkable achievement, showcasing a golfer's talent and control. It is a moment of excellence that is celebrated by both professional golfers and average players alike.
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What You'll Learn
Scoring an eagle
In golf, an eagle refers to scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole. In other words, it is when a golfer scores two fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. For example, a golfer would score an eagle if they completed a par-5 hole in 3 strokes, a par-4 hole in 2 strokes, or a par-3 hole in 1 stroke. However, a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole is usually referred to as an "ace" or "hole-in-one" instead of an eagle.
Eagles are considered a significant accomplishment in golf, and they are relatively rare, especially for average golfers. They are most commonly achieved on par-5 holes by golfers who can reach the green in 2 strokes, giving them a significant advantage over shorter-hitting golfers. On par-4 holes, eagles can be achieved with a strong drive and an accurate approach shot.
The term "eagle" was chosen to represent a score better than a "birdie" because it is a relatively large bird, indicating a more impressive feat. The term "birdie" refers to scoring one stroke less than par on a given hole, so an eagle represents a more significant improvement over the expected number of strokes.
Completing a hole three strokes under par is called an "albatross" or a "double eagle", and doing so on a par-5 hole is an extremely rare feat. Even rarer is scoring a "condor", which is four strokes under par on an individual hole, typically achieved by a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole.
In summary, scoring an eagle in golf involves achieving a score of two strokes under par on a particular hole, most commonly on par-5 holes. It is a notable achievement that is less likely for the average golfer and requires a combination of distance and accuracy.
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The rarity of an eagle
An eagle is a golf term used to describe a golfer scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole. For example, this could be achieved by scoring 3 strokes on a par-5 hole, 2 strokes on a par-4 hole, or 1 stroke on a par-3 hole. While the term eagle is used, the latter example is more commonly referred to as a "hole-in-one" or an "ace".
Eagles are considered a rare feat in golf, with most occurring on par-5 holes. The ability to achieve an eagle is often dependent on a golfer's skill level and distance they can drive the ball. For instance, a golfer with a handicap between 16 and 20 may only score 0.3 birdies per round on average, making eagles an even rarer occurrence.
In 2019, Sungjae Im had the most eagles among qualifying golfers in the TOUR Championship, with 18 eagles over 2,124 holes (0.85% of holes). This was followed by Martin Laird, who made 17 eagles in 1,440 holes (1.18% of holes). These statistics highlight the rarity of eagles in golf, even among skilled players.
Some golfers have shared their experiences with achieving eagles. One golfer with a 9.6 handicap shared that they had only made two eagles in their entire life, both of which occurred in the same week. Another golfer with a 3 handicap achieved 3 eagles in a year, showcasing the variability in achieving this feat.
While achieving an eagle is challenging, there are strategies that can increase the chances of success. Playing from closer tees and hitting the ball far can provide more opportunities for eagles. Additionally, golfers with the distance to reach par-5 greens in two strokes have a significant advantage in making eagles.
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Eagle vs. birdie
In golf, an eagle and a birdie are terms used to describe a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par. A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. For example, a birdie would be achieved with two strokes on a par-3 hole or four strokes on a par-5 hole. The term birdie comes from the early 20th-century American slang word "bird", meaning anything excellent.
An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a hole. Examples of eagles include three strokes on a par-5 hole, two strokes on a par-4 hole, or one stroke on a par-3 hole (usually referred to as a hole-in-one or ace). Eagles are most commonly achieved on par-5 holes by reaching the green in two strokes and then completing the hole with one putt. The term eagle was developed shortly after birdie, with the meaning of a "'big birdie' or an even more significant accomplishment.
Completing a hole three strokes under par is called an albatross or a double eagle. This is a British term, with double eagle being the preferred term in the United States. A hole-in-one on a par-4 hole would also be called an albatross or double eagle. However, the terms hole-in-one or ace are typically used instead of albatross or double eagle in this case.
The terms eagle and birdie are used to describe a golfer's score relative to par. Par refers to the number of strokes an expert or "scratch" golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. Par always includes two putts for each hole. The distance of a hole, including factors such as whether it is uphill or downhill, determines the par rating.
While eagles and birdies are impressive feats, they are relatively rare for average golfers. In 2019, the PGA Tour average number of birdies per round was 3.68, while eagles were even less common.
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Eagle vs. albatross
In golf, an eagle refers to scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole. For example, this could be achieved with three strokes on a par-5 hole, two strokes on a par-4 hole, or one stroke on a par-3 hole. Eagles are most commonly achieved on par-5 holes, with the golfer reaching the green in two strokes and then completing the hole with one putt.
An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is an even rarer feat in golf. An albatross occurs when a golfer scores three strokes fewer than par on an individual hole. For instance, this could be achieved with two strokes on a par-5 hole. An albatross is considered rarer than even a hole-in-one (also known as an "ace").
The terms eagle and albatross (or double eagle) are used to describe a golfer's score relative to par. Par refers to the number of strokes that an expert or "scratch golfer" is expected to need to complete a hole. On a par-4 hole, for example, a scratch golfer is expected to reach the green in two strokes and then complete the hole with two putts.
While both terms describe a golfer's score in relation to par, an eagle represents a score of two strokes under par, while an albatross or double eagle represents a score of three strokes under par. Eagles are more commonly achieved on par-5 holes, while albatrosses are rarer occurrences.
The terms albatross and double eagle are interchangeable, with both referring to the same achievement of three strokes under par. The term albatross is considered the traditional term, commonly used in British golf, and is believed to be the older term. However, evidence suggests that the term double eagle may have been used by golfers as early as the 1910s, pre-dating the use of albatross, which was first recorded in the 1920s.
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The history of the term 'eagle'
The term "eagle" in golf means scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole. Examples of golf eagles include three strokes on a par-5 hole, two strokes on a par-4 hole, or one stroke on a par-3 hole (usually referred to as a "hole-in-one" or "ace"). Eagles are most commonly achieved by reaching a par-5 green in two strokes and then completing the hole with one putt.
The history of the term "eagle" in golf can be traced back to the early 20th century. The term "birdie", which refers to a score of one stroke under par, was already in use before the term "eagle" was coined. The term "birdie" originated in the United States in 1899, according to H.B. Martin's "Fifty Years of American Golf". The book includes an account of a foursomes match played at the Atlantic City (N.J.) CC, where one of the players, Ab Smith, described his shot as a "bird of a shot". Smith suggested that when one of them played a hole in one under par, they should receive double compensation, and the group began to call it a "birdie". In 19th-century American slang, "bird" referred to anyone or anything excellent or wonderful.
Following the coining of the term "birdie", it is believed that the term "eagle" soon came into use to refer to a score one better than a "birdie". The term "eagle" was likely chosen as it is the national symbol of the United States, and it was natural for American golfers to associate the term with a significant accomplishment. By 1919, the term "eagle" was being introduced to Britain, as Mr H. D. Gaunt explained the use of the term after encountering it in Canada. For many years, the term "eagle" was introduced as an American term, as in 1922, when Cecil (Cecilia) Leitch described a putt for a 3 on a par-5 hole as "securing what is known in American golfing parlance as an 'eagle'".
The term "eagle" is considered a significant accomplishment in golf, and it is relatively rare for the average golfer to achieve. In 2019, Sungjae Im had the most eagles among qualifying golfers in the TOUR Championship, with 18 eagles over 2,124 holes (0.85% of holes). While Sungjae Im had the most eagles that year, Martin Laird made the most eagles per hole played, with 17 eagles in 1,440 holes (1.18% of holes).
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Frequently asked questions
An eagle is a golf term for scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole.
Examples of eagles in golf include 3 strokes on a par 5 hole, 2 strokes on a par 4 hole, or 1 stroke on a par 3 hole.
Eagles are rare in golf, and they most often occur on par 5 holes.
The term "eagle" in golf originated in the early 20th century, following the introduction of the term "birdie" in the late 19th century. The term "eagle" was chosen to represent an even better score than a birdie, which is one stroke under par.
An eagle can significantly improve a golfer's overall score and showcase their talent and control. It is a sought-after accomplishment for both professional golfers and average players.
