
In golf, a double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare scoring achievement where a golfer completes a hole in three strokes under par. This can be achieved in two ways: by making a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or by completing a par-5 hole in two strokes. 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. Achieving a double eagle requires a combination of skill and luck, and it is considered one of the highest accomplishments in golf.
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Double eagle is a rare golf scoring feat
In the game of golf, a double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare scoring feat. It refers to a score of three strokes 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 strokes. The odds of achieving this feat are about 6 million to 1 for amateurs, making it an extraordinary and historic accomplishment in the sport.
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. The term first appeared in a 1929 Scottish newspaper, marking its official entry into the golf vocabulary. However, the term "double eagle" emerged earlier in American golf circles during the 1910s and was used in a 1920 issue of "The American Golfer" magazine.
Achieving a double eagle requires a combination of skill, precision, power, and a bit of luck. It is a notable milestone in a golfer's career and is considered one of the highest accomplishments in the sport. Golfers who achieve this feat often find their names etched in the annals of golf history, as it is a testament to their precision and prowess on the course.
One of the most famous double eagles was achieved by Gene Sarazen in 1935 at Augusta National. He struck a perfect 4-wood from 235 yards on the par-5 15th hole, securing a historic Masters victory. This shot was known as the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" and sparked much debate over the terminology of the achievement. Another notable near-achievement was by Tiger Woods, whose first shot on a par-5 hole was a 329-yard drive, bringing the ball extremely close to the pin.
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It is also known as an albatross
In the game of golf, a double eagle is a rare and prestigious score of three strokes under par on a single hole. This is also known as an albatross. The term albatross comes from the large seabird known for its impressive wingspan and rarity, symbolising the uncommon and remarkable nature of this golf score. The use of bird-related terminology to describe positive outcomes in the sport is common, with the eagle denoting a score of two under par, and the albatross sitting between this and the almost-mythical condor (four under par).
The term albatross was first used in a 1929 Scottish newspaper, though Americans initially preferred "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, where it was described as scoring three under par on a hole. The term albatross is more commonly used in the UK and other parts of the world, whereas "double eagle" is predominantly used in the United States.
The odds of scoring an albatross are about 6 million to 1, and it has only been recorded four times. Shaun Lynch, a 33-year-old Irishman, achieved this feat in 1995 at the Teign Valley Golf Club in England. He hit a 3-iron over 20-foot-high hedges on the par-5 17th hole, and the ball ran down the slope into the hole. This exceptional shot was commemorated with a plaque.
The albatross is a remarkable achievement in golf, requiring a combination of skill and luck. It is a testament to a golfer's precision and prowess, and those who achieve it find their names etched in the annals of golf history.
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It is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole
In golf, a double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare and prestigious score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It is considered one of the highest accomplishments in the sport, requiring a combination of skill and luck. The odds of achieving a double eagle are about 6 million to 1 for amateurs, making it significantly rarer than a hole-in-one.
The term "double eagle" emerged in American golf circles during the 1910s and was first used in a 1920 issue of "The American Golfer" magazine. However, the term "albatross" is believed to have originated in Scotland and appeared in a 1929 Scottish newspaper, marking its official entry into golf vocabulary. Today, the usage of these terms varies by region, with "double eagle" being more common in the United States and "albatross" preferred in the UK and other parts of the world.
There are two ways to score a double eagle. One way is to make a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole, which is an extremely challenging feat. The other way is to complete a par-5 hole in just two strokes, which is also very difficult and requires exceptional driving distance and accuracy.
Throughout golf history, there have been several notable double eagles, or albatrosses. One of the most famous is Gene Sarazen's ""Shot Heard 'Round the World" in 1935, where he struck a perfect 4-wood from 235 yards at Augusta's par-5 15th hole, securing a historic Masters victory. Another notable achievement is Shaun Lynch's double eagle at the Teign Valley Golf Club in England in 1995. Lynch, a 33-year-old Irishman, hit a 3-iron over hedges 20 feet high on the horseshoe-shaped par-5 17th hole, with the ball running down a slope and into the hole.
Achieving a double eagle in golf is an extraordinary and historic milestone that requires a blend of power, precision, and luck. It is a testament to a golfer's skill and prowess on the course, earning them a place in the annals of golf history.
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It can be achieved in two ways
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare golf scoring achievement. It is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. This feat can be achieved in two ways.
The first way to achieve a double eagle is by making a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. This is an impressive feat of skill and precision, as it requires the golfer to get the ball into the hole in a single shot from a longer-than-usual distance. This method of achieving a double eagle is a true showstopper and is sure to turn heads on the golf course.
The second way to achieve a double eagle is by completing a par-5 hole in just two strokes. While it may be less dramatic than the hole-in-one on a par-4, it still requires a high level of skill and accuracy. The golfer must carefully plan their shots to ensure they can get the ball into the hole in just two strokes.
Both methods of achieving a double eagle require a combination of exceptional skill, strategic course management, and a bit of luck. It is a testament to a golfer's precision and prowess on the course, and those who achieve it often find their names etched in the annals of golf history. The odds of achieving this feat are about 6 million to 1 for amateurs, making it a legendary accomplishment in the world of golf.
While the term "double eagle" is predominantly used in the United States, the term "albatross" is more common in the UK and other parts of the world. Both terms refer to the same achievement and are interchangeable, with their usage often influenced by local golfing traditions and culture.
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It is called a double eagle predominantly in the US
In the game of golf, achieving a double eagle is a rare feat. It involves scoring three strokes 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. The odds of achieving this are about 6 million to 1 for amateurs.
The term "double eagle" is predominantly used in the United States, whereas "albatross" is the preferred term in the UK and other parts of the world. The term "double eagle" emerged in American golf circles during the 1910s, with one of its earliest documented uses appearing in a 1920 issue of *The American Golfer* magazine. The term was used to describe a score of three under par on a hole.
The use of bird-themed slang was common to describe positive outcomes in the sport. The term "albatross" is derived from the large seabird known for its impressive wingspan and rarity, symbolizing the uncommon and remarkable nature of the golf score. The term "albatross" first appeared in a 1929 Scottish newspaper, marking its official entry into golf vocabulary.
While the terms "double eagle" and "albatross" refer to the same golfing achievement, their usage varies by region. Both terms are interchangeable and correct, with their usage influenced by local golfing traditions and culture. Despite the regional differences in terminology, the significance of the achievement remains unchanged.
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Frequently asked questions
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a rare golf score of three strokes under par on a single hole.
You can achieve a double eagle in two ways: 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 are about 6 million to 1.










































