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In golf, a player's score is compared to the par score to determine how they performed relative to expectations. Par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient golfer is expected to require to complete a hole, a round, or a tournament. A hole score of one stroke fewer than par (one under par, -1) is known as a birdie. The term birdie is thought to have originated at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey, in 1899 or 1903, when a golfer hit his second shot only inches from the cup on a par-four hole after his first shot struck a bird in flight. The term birdie comes from the early 20th-century American slang term bird, meaning anything excellent.
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What You'll Learn
A ''birdie' is a score of one under par
In golf, a birdie is a score of one stroke under par. So, for example, a golfer would achieve a birdie if they completed a par-5 hole in 4 strokes. The term 'birdie' is thought to have originated at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey, in 1899. According to a story passed down, three golfers—George Crump, William Poultney Smith, and Ab Smith—were playing together when Crump hit his second shot just inches from the cup on a par-four hole. His first shot had struck a bird in flight. The Smith brothers exclaimed that Crump's shot was "a bird", and the group began to use the term 'birdie' for a score of one under par.
The term 'birdie' is derived from the early 20th-century American slang term "bird", meaning anything excellent. This is also reflected in the terms used for other under-par scores, such as 'eagle' (two under par), 'albatross' or 'double eagle' (three under par), and 'condor' (four under par). These bird-themed names were likely chosen because an eagle is a relatively large bird, the albatross is a very rare bird, and the condor is one of the largest birds.
In golf, par refers to the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient or 'scratch' golfer is expected to 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, as well as other factors like terrain and obstacles. A typical 18-hole golf course will have a total par of around 72. A golfer's score on each hole or in a tournament is compared to the par score to determine if they are 'over par', 'under par', or 'even/level par'.
Other golf terms related to par include 'bogey', which is a score of one stroke over par, and 'double bogey', which is two strokes over par. These terms are often used by less skilled golfers who may need more strokes to complete a hole than the par score.
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'Par' is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need
In golf, "par" is the predetermined number of strokes that an expert golfer, or a "scratch golfer", is expected to make to complete a hole. Par always includes two putts for each 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. Distance, or more specifically "effective distance" (the distance a hole plays after accounting for elevation changes and other factors), is the main factor in determining a hole's par rating.
Each hole on a golf course is assigned a "par" score, which typically ranges from 3 (par-3) to 5 (par-5), with par-6 and par-7 holes being extremely rare. A typical 18-hole golf course will have a total par of around 72 strokes, while a 9-hole par-3 course (where all holes are par 3) will have a total par of 27. Par is determined primarily by the playing length of each hole from the teeing ground to the putting green.
Golf also utilizes a handicap system to allow players of varying skill levels to compete on an equal footing. A handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's ability, calculated based on recent scores and adjusted for course difficulty. The lower the handicap, the closer a golfer is expected to score to par.
The term "under par" describes a player's score when they have taken fewer strokes than par for a given hole or set of holes. Achieving a score of one stroke under par on a hole is called a "birdie", while two strokes under par is an "eagle". A score of three strokes under par is known as an "albatross" or "double eagle", and a score of four strokes under par is a "condor".
Conversely, the term "over par" describes a player's score when they have taken more strokes than par. A score of one stroke over par is a "bogey", while two strokes over par is a "double bogey". These terms add a layer of excitement and tradition to the game, motivating players to strive for lower scores.
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Scoring one stroke over par is known as a 'bogey'
Golf is a game that uses a lot of jargon and technical terms, and it can be confusing for beginners to understand what is meant by "one under" or "one over par". These terms refer to the number of strokes a golfer takes to complete a hole in relation to the "par" score. Par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient golfer, or "scratch golfer", is expected to require to complete a hole. It takes into account the distance from the teeing ground to the putting green, as well as other factors such as terrain and obstacles.
So, when a golfer scores one stroke over par, it is known as a "bogey". This is considered a bad result for a low-handicap or professional golfer but is a good outcome for a beginner. For example, scoring 5 strokes on a par-4 hole would be a bogey.
On the other hand, scoring one stroke under par is known as a "birdie". This term is thought to have originated from American slang, where "bird" means anything excellent. For example, a golfer would achieve a birdie by scoring 4 strokes on a par-5 hole.
There are also terms for scoring two strokes over par ("double bogey") and three strokes over par ("triple bogey"). Similarly, scoring two strokes under par is known as an "eagle", and three strokes under par is an "albatross" or "double eagle".
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A 'double eagle' is a score of three under par
In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient golfer should make to complete a hole. A hole score of one stroke fewer than par (one under par, −1) is known as a birdie. The term birdie comes from early 20th-century American slang, where "bird" meant anything excellent. The term was first used in 1899 at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey, when a golfer's shot hit a bird in flight.
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a score of three strokes fewer than par (three under par, −3). This term originated in Britain and was first used in 1929, although it had presumably been in use for some time before that. A double eagle is a very 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.
A hole score of two strokes fewer than par (two under par, −2) is known as an eagle. The name "eagle" was used as a continuation of the theme of birds for good scores from a "birdie", with an eagle 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 equal to the par of the hole is simply called a par. A score of one stroke more than par (+1) for a hole is known as a bogey.
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A 'condor' is a score of four under par
In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient golfer should make to complete a hole, a round, or a tournament. A golfer's score is then compared to par to determine if they are "over par", "under par", or "even/level par". Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, based on the distance from the teeing ground to the putting green. A typical 18-hole golf course will have a total par of around 72.
Scores on holes are given names relative to par. For example, a score of one stroke more than par (+1) for a hole is known as a bogey, while a score of one stroke fewer than par (-1) is known as a birdie. A condor, meanwhile, is an unofficial name for a hole score of four strokes fewer than par (four under par, −4). A condor is also known as a double albatross or a triple eagle. This is the lowest individual hole score ever made, relative to par.
A condor would be a hole-in-one on a par-five, a two on a par-six, or a three on a par-seven. Par-sixes and par-sevens are exceptionally rare. As of May 2023, a condor had been recorded only five times on a par-5, once on a par-6, and never on a par-7. Until 2020, all recorded condors were on par-5 holes.
Golfers typically record their own scores on a scorecard. As of 2023, a condor had never been achieved during a professional tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
"One under" in golf means a player's score is one stroke under par. This score is called a birdie.
Par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient golfer is expected to require to complete a hole.
A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. The term was coined in 1899 at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey.
A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a hole. While a bogey is a bad result for a low handicap or professional golfer, it is a good score for a beginner golfer.
An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a hole.
