Jackson Reid
In golf, a condor is a score of four under par. This can be achieved by scoring a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole, or by taking two strokes on a par-6 hole. As of 2021, there have only been 5 recorded condors in history. The first occurred in 1962 when Larry Bruce scored a hole-in-one on a 480-yard par-5 hole. The most recent condor was achieved in December 2020 by Kevin Pon at Lake Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, California. This was the only recorded condor to have happened on a par-6.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A condor is a score of four under par in golf |
| How to achieve | It can be achieved by scoring a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole, or by taking two strokes on a par-6 hole |
| Recorded occurrences | As of 2021, there have been 6 recorded condors in history, 5 of which were on par-5 holes and 1 on a par-6 hole |
| Probability | A condor is so uncommon that bookmakers don't offer odds on the feat |
| Examples | Larry Bruce (1962), Dick Hogan (1973), Shaun Lynch (1995), Mike Crean (2002), Jack Bartlett (2007), Kevin Pon (2020) |
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What You'll Learn
What is a condor in golf?
A condor in golf is an extremely rare feat, requiring a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole, or scoring four strokes under par on a single hole. This is usually only possible on a par-5 with a well-placed tee shot and an exceptional approach shot. Weather conditions and course setup can also affect the likelihood of achieving a condor. Strong winds or an unfavourable course layout may make it more challenging, while calm weather and favourable course conditions can increase the chances.
As of 2021, there have only been five recorded condors in history. The first occurred in 1962 when Larry Bruce drove into the hole over a stand of trees on the 480-yard dogleg right par-5 fifth hole at Hope Country Club in Arkansas, USA. The most recent recorded condor was achieved on December 20, 2020, by Kevin Pon at Lake Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, California on the 667-yard par-6 18th hole. This is the only recorded condor to have happened on a par-6.
A condor is so uncommon in golf that bookmakers don't offer odds on such a feat. The term 'condor' is believed to be a continuation of the 'bird' theme for under-par scores, with the size of the bird getting bigger as the score gets lower, hence "birdie", "eagle", "albatross" and "condor".
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How rare is a condor?
In golf, a condor is a hole-in-one that is four strokes under par. As of May 2023, there have only been six recorded condors in history. The odds of a hole-in-one on a par 3 are 12,500-1, and the odds of holing an albatross move into six figures. The chances of a condor are so slim that governing bodies don't even carry odds of it happening.
Five of the six recorded condors were par-5 aces. The first ever recorded condor was by Larry Bruce in 1962, who smashed his ball over a copse of trees on a 480-yard par-5 at Hope Country Club in Arkansas and found the cup on the hole that doglegged sharply to the right. The second recorded condor was in 1973 by scratch golfer Dick Hogan, who aced a 456-yard par-5 at Piedmont Crescent in North Carolina. Hogan, however, was never convinced of its legitimacy and assumed someone had played a prank on him. The third condor was achieved by Shaun Lynch in 1995, who used a 3-iron to hole out on the 496-yard 17th hole at Teign Valley in Devon. The fourth condor was recorded in 2002 by Mike Crean, who aced the 517-yard par-5 at Green Valley Ranch in Denver, Colorado, aided by the thin air at high altitude. The fifth condor was achieved in 2007 by 16-year-old Jack Bartlett, who aced the 511-yard 17th hole at Wentworth Falls in Australia.
The sixth and most recent condor was unique in that it was achieved on a par-6 hole. In December 2020, Kevin Pon scored a condor on the 649-yard 18th hole at Lake Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, California. This is the only recorded condor on a par-6 in US golf history. Pon, an amateur golfer, hit a drive from the elevated tee that travelled over 500 yards down the hill. He then used a pitching wedge for a 110-yard blind approach shot, holing out for a rare condor.
The rarity of a condor can be attributed to the fact that very few golf courses have suitable par-5 or par-6 holes. Additionally, the probability of a hole-in-one on a par-5 is extremely low, as it requires a combination of an extremely long drive and a hole-in-one on a par-4 for a skilled golfer on a suitable course. Therefore, for most golfers, a condor is only of academic interest.
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How many condors have been recorded?
A condor in golf is holing out in four shots under par. As of 2024, only six condors have been recorded in golf's history. All of the first five were par-5 aces. The sixth was achieved by Kevin Pon, who scored two on a par-6 hole.
The first recorded condor was in 1962 by Larry Bruce, who cut the dogleg on the 5th hole at the Hope Country Club in Arkansas. The hole is recorded as 480 yards, but as a dogleg, the drive would have been shorter.
In 1973, Dick Hogan aced the 456-yard par-5 8th hole at Piedmont Crescent in North Carolina. In 1995, Shaun Lynch holed a 3-iron on the 496-yard 17th hole at Teign Valley in Devon. The fourth condor was recorded in 2002 by Mike Crean, who took advantage of the thin air at Green Valley Ranch in Denver, Colorado, to make the longest hole-in-one ever recorded on a 517-yard par-5. The last condor before Pon's was in 2007, when 16-year-old Jack Bartlett scored a condor on the 511-yard 17th hole at Wentworth Falls in Australia.
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What is par in golf?
A condor in golf is a hole-in-one on a par-5, or four shots under par. As of May 2023, a condor has been recorded only five times on a par-5 and once on a par-6.
Now, onto your question: "What is par in golf?"
In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient golfer (scratch or zero handicap) is expected to take to complete a hole. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, which include a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball, and two putts. Par-3 holes are typically shorter, requiring golfers to reach the green in one stroke and sink the ball with two putts. On a Par 4, golfers are expected to reach the green in two strokes and make two putts to complete the hole. The longest holes, Par 5s, are designed for golfers to reach the green in three strokes.
The par value for each hole is determined based on its length and difficulty. Factors such as altitude, terrain, and obstacles are considered when setting the par for a hole. For example, a hole that is significantly uphill or requires playing a stroke to finish short of a body of water will impact the par.
Tournament scores are reported by totalling scores relative to par in each round. A golfer's score is compared with the par score to determine if they are "over par", "under par", or "even/level par". For instance, if a course has a par of 72 and a golfer takes 75 strokes to complete it, the reported score is +3, or "three-over-par".
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What is a hole-in-one?
In golf, a hole-in-one, also known as an "ace", occurs when a ball hit from a tee to start a hole finishes in the cup. This feat needs to occur on the stroke that starts a hole. Holes-in-one are well known outside of golf and often require a powerful shot and significant skill. However, they also require a significant amount of luck.
The odds of scoring a hole-in-one are very small, with actuaries placing the chances of an average golfer making a hole-in-one at approximately 12,500 to 1, and the odds of a tour professional at 2,500 to 1. Holes-in-one are most common on par-3 holes, the shortest distance holes on a standard-size golf course. Longer hitters have also achieved this feat on longer holes, although nearly all par-4 and par-5 holes are too long for golfers to reach in a single shot.
The term "hole-in-one" is thought to have originated from the stock exchange, where it was used to describe the expected value of stocks. The transition to golf was made by a writer. It is traditional for a player who has scored a hole-in-one to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the clubhouse bar. Occasionally, special events host hole-in-one contests, where prizes such as a new car or cash awards of up to $4 million are offered.
The world record for the most holes-in-one is currently held by American Norman Manley of California, who has achieved 59 aces. Tiger Woods has had 3 aces during his time on the PGA Tour, with his first hole-in-one recorded at the age of six.
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Frequently asked questions
A condor is a score of four under par. This can be achieved by scoring a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole or by taking two strokes on a par-6 hole.
A condor is extremely rare in golf, with only six recorded instances in the last 60 years.
The odds of scoring a condor are unknown, but the odds of an albatross (a similar golf shot) are estimated to be between 1 million and 6 million to 1.
As of 2021, there have been five recorded condors scored by Larry Bruce, Shaun Lynch, Mike Crean, Jack Bartlett, and Kevin Pon.
Condors are most commonly scored on par-5 holes, with five of the six recorded condors being scored on this type of hole.
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