Harper Lin
Golf has a unique scoring system, with terms like birdie, eagle, albatross, par, and bogey. An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a particular hole. For example, on a par-5 hole, an eagle would be achieved with just three strokes. The term eagle was used to represent a better score than a birdie, as an eagle is a larger bird. Before eagles, there are birdies, and after eagles, there are albatrosses, also known as double eagles.
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What You'll Learn
Birdie: Scoring one stroke under par on a hole
In golf, scoring one stroke under par on a hole is known as a birdie. It represents a skilful shot that puts the golfer ahead of the expected score for that hole. The term originated in the United States in 1899, when Ab Smith hit a remarkable shot, exclaiming, "That was a bird of a shot!". Smith suggested that shooting one under par on a hole should earn "double compensation". The next time someone in his group achieved this, they referred to it as a "birdie". The term quickly spread beyond the Atlantic City Country Club and became common in golfing parlance.
Birdies are typically the result of an excellent approach shot to the green, setting up a short putt. However, impressive long-distance birdie putts also occur, such as Louis Oosthuizen's 65-foot putt at the Honda Classic in February 2022. Birdies are an important milestone for golfers, and achieving one reflects a player's ability to excel during a round. They contribute to the enjoyment and competitiveness of the game, providing a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Understanding the concept of "par" is crucial in golf. Par represents the expected number of strokes a proficient golfer should require to complete a hole. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, based on the distance from the teeing ground to the putting green and other factors such as terrain and obstacles. On a typical 18-hole golf course, the total par is around 72. By comparing their number of strokes to the par score, golfers can determine if they are "over par", "under par", or "even/level par".
While achieving a birdie is impressive, scoring an eagle, or two strokes under par, is an even greater feat. Just as an eagle is larger than a birdie in the natural world, scoring an eagle in golf surpasses the achievement of a birdie. Eagles most commonly occur on par-5 holes, where golfers with greater distance have an advantage in reaching the green in fewer strokes. Completing a hole three strokes under par is an even rarer accomplishment, known as an "albatross" or a double eagle.
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Par: The expected number of strokes to complete a hole
Par is a term used in golf to refer to the expected number of strokes it should take a skilled golfer to complete a hole. The term is thought to have originated from the stock exchange, where it described the expected value of stocks. The par value for each hole is determined based on its length and difficulty, with holes generally assigned par values between three and five. For example, a par-3 hole is typically shorter, requiring golfers to reach the green in one stroke and take two putts. On the other hand, par-4 holes are longer, requiring golfers to reach the green in two strokes and make two putts. The longest holes, par-5s, are designed for golfers to reach the green in three strokes, although professional golfers may aim for two strokes.
The par value of a hole is crucial in shaping the strategies used by golfers throughout the game. For instance, on par-3 holes, golfers may focus on precision, while on par-5 holes, the emphasis may shift to power and distance. The term "par" can also be used for multiple holes on a golf course. A nine-hole golf course with a par-36 means that a total score of 40 would be "4 over par". It is important to note that a single golf course does not need to have all its holes with the same par value and a mix of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes is more common.
Understanding par is essential for golfers aiming to improve their game. It helps golfers assess their performance relative to the course's expectations and allows them to refine their strategies accordingly. Golfers can compare their number of strokes to the par score to determine if they are ""over par", "under par", or "even/level par". For example, if a golfer takes 75 strokes to complete a course with a par of 72, their score is considered "three-over-par".
In addition to the basic understanding of par, golfers can also benefit from knowing related terms such as "birdie", "eagle", "albatross", and "condor". A "birdie" refers to getting a ball into the hole with one stroke to spare. An "eagle" is a step above, representing two strokes under par on a particular hole. A "birdie" on a par-3 hole would be considered an "eagle". An "albatross", also known as a ""double eagle", is three strokes under par, and a "condor" is an impressive four strokes under par. These terms provide golfers with a way to track their improvement and adjust their strategies based on the par value of the hole they are playing.
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Albatross: Scoring three strokes under par on a hole
In golf, an albatross describes a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It is an extremely rare and impressive score, and achieving an albatross is a remarkable feat in golf and a significant highlight for any golfer. In the history of golf majors (Masters, US Open, British Open, PGA Championship), only 18 players have recorded an albatross. Albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a continuation of the birdie and eagle theme. The term albatross was first used in 1929, but it had been in use for some time before then.
The term "birdie" originated in the United States in 1899. H.B. Martin's "Fifty Years of American Golf" contains an account of a foursomes match played at the Atlantic City (N.J.) CC. One of the players, Ab Smith, said, "my ball... came to rest within six inches of the cup. I said, 'That was a bird of a shot... I suggest that when one of us plays a hole in one under par, he receives double compensation.' The other two agreed, and we began right away, just as soon as the next one came, to call it a 'birdie.'" The term quickly caught on at the country club and spread worldwide.
The name "eagle" was used to represent a better score than a birdie due to it being a relatively large bird. An eagle usually occurs when a golfer hits the ball far enough to reach the green with fewer strokes than expected. It most commonly happens on par-fives but can occur on short par-fours. A hole-in-one on a par-three hole also results in an eagle. A hole score of three strokes fewer than par (three under par, −3) is known as an albatross (the albatross being one of the largest birds). It is an extremely rare score and occurs most commonly on par-fives with a strong drive and a holed approach shot. Holes-in-one on par-four holes (generally short ones) are also albatrosses.
The term "par" refers to the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient (scratch, or zero handicap) golfer should require to complete a hole, a round (the sum of the pars of the played holes), or a tournament (the sum of the pars of each round). Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, including a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball, and two putts. On occasion, factors other than distance are taken into account when setting the par for a hole, such as altitude, terrain, and obstacles.
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Holes-in-one: Scoring an eagle with one stroke on a par-3 hole
In golf, a hole-in-one, also known as an "ace", occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole, completing the hole in just one stroke. While aces are very rare, they are even more unlikely on a par-3 hole, with the average golfer's chances of achieving this feat being 12,500 to 1.
When it comes to scoring, the term ""par" refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer, or a "scratch" golfer with zero handicap, is expected to need to complete a hole. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, based on the distance from the teeing ground to the putting green, with par-3 holes for men being under 260 yards (240 m) and 220 yards (200 m) for women.
An "eagle" in golf means scoring two strokes under par on a particular hole. While eagles most often occur on par-5 holes, they can also be achieved on par-4 holes or par-3 holes. However, when a golfer scores an eagle on a par-3 hole by completing it in one stroke, it is typically referred to as a "hole-in-one" or "ace" instead of an eagle.
The term "birdie" was already in use before the term "eagle" was introduced to represent a better score. A birdie occurs when a player scores one stroke less than par on a given hole. So, an eagle, being a relatively large bird, was chosen to represent a more impressive feat of two strokes under par.
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Scoring an eagle: Scoring two strokes under par on a hole
In golf, an eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a particular hole. It is a term that originated in the United States and was introduced to Britain in 1919. The name "eagle" was chosen because it is a large bird, and thus represents a better score than a birdie.
Eagles are most commonly achieved on par-5 holes, where a golfer hits the ball far enough to reach the green in two strokes and then completes the hole with one putt. This is a significant advantage over shorter-hitting golfers. While eagles can also occur on short par-4 holes, they are less common. A hole-in-one on a par-3 hole is also considered an eagle, although this is usually referred to as a "hole-in-one" or "ace".
The likelihood of scoring an eagle varies depending on a golfer's skill level and distance they can hit the ball. For example, 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). On the other hand, the average golfer will likely find it challenging to score an eagle in a given year.
Eagles are an impressive feat in golf, and achieving one can significantly improve a golfer's score relative to par. It is a term that is well-established in golfing parlance and is used to describe a notable accomplishment on the course.
In addition to eagles, there are other golf scoring terms related to par. A birdie refers to a score of one stroke under par, while a bogey is one stroke over par. A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare score of three strokes under par. These terms create a hierarchy of scores, with each bird-themed name representing a higher and more impressive achievement. The terms provide a colourful and memorable way to describe golfers' performance on the course.
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Frequently asked questions
An eagle occurs when a golfer completes a hole two strokes under par. For example, on a par 4 hole, an eagle would be achieved with just two strokes, and on a par 5 hole, three strokes would secure an eagle.
Before an eagle, there is a birdie, which is when a player scores one stroke under par on a given hole.
A birdie is when a player scores one stroke less than par on a given hole.
Before a birdie, there is a par, which is the expected number of strokes to complete a hole. Achieving par means completing the hole in the expected number of strokes.
