
In golf, an albatraoz, or albatross, is one of the rarest and most impressive achievements a golfer can make. It is also known as a double eagle and happens when a player completes a hole in three strokes under par. The term “albatross” dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles. The word “bird” was first used as slang for something excellent and soon became associated with shots one under par, known as a “birdie”. As golf evolved, additional terms were coined: “eagle” for two shots under par and “albatross” for three shots under par. The odds of achieving an albatross are estimated to be around 1 in a million for the average golfer, making it a highly celebrated feat when it occurs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Completing a hole in three strokes below par |
| Synonyms | Double eagle |
| Odds | 6 million to 1 or 1 in a million for the average golfer |
| Scarcity | Only 18 players have achieved it in major tournaments |
| Ways to achieve it | Scoring a hole-in-one on a par-four hole or completing a par-five hole in two shots |
| Notable achievers | Nicholas Thompson, Kevin Murray, Xander Schauffele, Brendan Steele, Robby Shelton, Jack Nicklaus, Louis Oosthuizen, Gene Sarazen |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- 'Albatraoz' is golf slang for a very rare score of three under par
- It's also known as a ''double eagle'' and is a remarkable feat
- The term 'albatross' dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles
- There have been some notable albatrosses in golf history, including Kevin Murray's 647-yard albatross
- The odds of achieving an albatross are around 6 million to 1, making it a highly coveted achievement

'Albatraoz' is golf slang for a very rare score of three under par
In the sport of golf, an "albatraoz" is a slang term for a very rare score of three under par. Also known as a “double eagle”, this impressive feat occurs when a player completes a hole in three strokes under par. For instance, on a par-5 hole, an albatross would mean sinking the ball in just two shots.
The term "albatross" dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the word “bird” was slang for something excellent or "cool". When golfers performed well, they would say it was a “bird”. This inspired the term “birdie” for a shot one under par, and as golf evolved, “eagle” for two shots under par, and "albatross" for three shots under par.
Albatrosses are extremely rare, with odds of around 6 million to 1, or 1 in a million for the average golfer. Even professional golfers may never score one in their careers. The feat requires a combination of distance, accuracy, skill, and a bit of luck. Strategies to increase the chances of an albatross include a powerful drive and an accurate approach shot.
Some notable albatrosses in golf history include Kevin Murray's 647-yard albatross, the longest ever; Nicholas Thompson's albatross on the 11th hole at the 2002 PGA Tour's Safeway Open; and Xander Schauffele's albatross on the 5th hole during the final round of The American Express in 2023.
Golf Daddy: Legit or Not?
You may want to see also

It's also known as a ''double eagle'' and is a remarkable feat
An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is one of the rarest feats in golf. It involves completing a hole in three strokes below par. The term albatross dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles. The word ""bird" was slang for something excellent and soon became associated with a shot one under par, known as a "birdie". As golf evolved, additional terms were coined, with ""eagle" referring to two shots under par and ""albatross" for three shots under par.
The odds of achieving an albatross are estimated to be around 6 million to 1, making it a remarkable and highly celebrated achievement. It requires a combination of distance, accuracy, skill, and a bit of luck. Certain strategies can increase the chances of an albatross, such as a powerful drive and an accurate approach shot.
There have been several notable albatrosses in major golf tournaments, with only 18 players achieving this feat in significant competitions. One of the most famous albatrosses was scored by Nicholas Thompson in 2002 at the PGA Tour's Safeway Open. He accomplished this on the par-five 11th hole at the Silverado Golf Club in California and gained widespread attention for his achievement.
The term albatross may have been chosen due to the unique abilities of the albatross bird, which can travel long distances out at sea and follow ships for extended periods. This reflects the challenging nature of achieving three strokes under par in golf, requiring both skill and a favourable alignment of external factors.
Exploring Golfo San Jorge's Depths: How Far Down Does It Go?
You may want to see also

The term 'albatross' dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles
The term 'albatross' in golf refers to completing a hole in three strokes below par. It is one of the rarest achievements in the sport, with only 18 players achieving this in major tournaments. The term dates back to the 1800s and comes from American golfing circles.
The word 'birdie' was first used as slang for something excellent and soon became associated with a shot one under par. As golf evolved, new terms were coined: 'eagle' for two shots under par, and 'albatross' for three shots under par. These terms became widely adopted as golf grew in popularity worldwide.
The term 'albatross' was influenced by the large, excellent-gliding seabird of the same name. The name of the bird comes from the Latin 'albus' meaning 'white', and its derivatives in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic. The word was used in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', where the mariner kills an albatross and is forced to wear it around his neck. This sense of the word influenced golfing terminology in the early 1900s, alongside the development of terms like ''birdie' and 'eagle'.
The earliest documented use of the term 'albatross' in golf was in 1929, although Americans initially preferred the term 'double eagle' after Gene Sarazen's famous 1935 Masters shot. The term 'double eagle' first appeared in a 1920 issue of 'The American Golfer' magazine. The term 'albatross' gradually gained acceptance and became widely used as golf grew in popularity.
Achieving an albatross is extremely challenging, with only a few realistic ways to do so. One way is to score a hole-in-one on a par-four hole. Another way is to complete a par-five hole in two shots, which is the most common scenario.
Polarized Sunglasses: Help or Hindrance for Golfers?
You may want to see also

There have been some notable albatrosses in golf history, including Kevin Murray's 647-yard albatross
An albatross is one of the rarest achievements in golf, involving completing a hole in three strokes under par. It is one of the most prized accomplishments in the sport and has only been achieved by 18 players in major tournaments. The odds of achieving an albatross are around 6 million to 1, making it significantly rarer than a hole-in-one, which has odds of 13,000 to 1.
There have been some notable albatrosses in golf history. One of the most famous was achieved by Nicholas Thompson in 2002 at the PGA Tour's Safeway Open. He scored it on the par-five 11th hole at the Silverado Golf Club in California, and what made it so impressive was that he achieved a hole-in-one just two holes later.
Another notable albatross was recorded by Kevin Murray, who holds the record for the longest albatross in golf history. In 1982, Murray achieved this feat on a staggering 647-yard par-5 at the Guam Navy Golf Club. This achievement showcased an impressive mix of power, precision, and luck, as albatrosses are considered much rarer than hole-in-ones. Murray's achievement remains one of the most impressive golf feats ever, highlighting the skill and luck needed to achieve such a rare shot.
Xander Schauffele also scored an albatross on the 5th hole during the final round of The American Express in 2023. Brendan Steele made history with the first albatross in LIV Golf at The Greenbrier in 2024. These remarkable moments continue to captivate the golfing world, showcasing the incredible skill and luck required to achieve such feats.
Golfing Scandinavian Style: Mixed Team Play
You may want to see also

The odds of achieving an albatross are around 6 million to 1, making it a highly coveted achievement
An albatross is one of the rarest achievements in golf. It involves completing a hole in three strokes below par. The odds of achieving an albatross are around 6 million to 1, making it a highly coveted achievement.
The term "albatross" in golf dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles. The word "birdie" was first used as slang for something excellent and soon became associated with a shot one under par. As golf evolved, additional terms were coined: "eagle" for two shots under par and "albatross" for three shots under par. These terms became widely adopted as golf's popularity grew worldwide.
There are two realistic ways to score an albatross: scoring a hole-in-one on a par-four hole, or completing a par-five hole in two shots. The latter is the most common scenario and is considered far more likely. To achieve an albatross, golfers need to lengthen their drive, as most modern par-five holes measure at least 450 yards. This means driving 250-300 yards off the tee is essential to leave golfers in a strong position for their second shot.
While the odds of an albatross are exceptionally high, it is not impossible. Notable golfers such as Nicholas Thompson, Kevin Murray, Xander Schauffele, and Brendan Steele have achieved this feat. Thompson's albatross, in particular, gained widespread attention as he achieved a hole-in-one just two holes later during the 2002 PGA Tour's Safeway Open.
Golf Tracer Technology: How Does It Work?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a golf term for completing a hole in three strokes under par. It is one of the rarest achievements in golf.
The odds of achieving an albatross are approximately 6 million to 1, or 1 in a million for the average golfer.
While achieving an albatross requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck, you can increase your chances by:
- Having a powerful drive: On par-5 holes, a long and accurate drive that covers a significant distance will give you a better chance of chipping into the hole with your second shot.
- Accurate approach shot: Use a fairway wood or long iron to get the ball into the hole from a distance.
- Course conditions: Choose courses and hole layouts that are more conducive to scoring an albatross.
Notable golfers who have achieved an albatross include:
- Nicholas Thompson: at the 2002 PGA Tour's Safeway Open
- Kevin Murray: Recorded the longest albatross in golf history at 647 yards on the second hole
- Xander Schauffele: at The American Express in 2023
- Brendan Steele: at the LIV Golf tournament
- Robby Shelton: in March 2024
![I'm an Albatraoz [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-honwKFJL._AC_UY218_.jpg)

