Hearing golfers shout That's a birdie! or groan about a dreaded double bogey can feel like listening to a foreign language. Understanding the Lingo is a big part of feeling comfortable on the course and enjoying the game. This guide will break down all the score names in golf, from the aclaimed eagle to the all-too-common bogey, so you can track your rounds with confidence and join the conversation.
Before we can talk about birdies or bogeys, we have to start with the single most important term in golf scoring: par. Par is the expected number of strokes an expert golfer should take to complete a hole. It's the baseline against which all other scores are measured.
Every hole on a golf course is assigned a par number, typically 3, 4, or 5. This number is determined primarily by the hole's length from the tee box to the green.
When you add up the par for all 18 holes, you get the total par for the course, which is usually between 70 and 72. If a course is a Par 72, an expert golfer is expected to complete the entire round in 72 strokes. SImply put, if your score matches the par, you have "made par." Now let's get into the more exciting names you'll hear.
Scoring under par on a hole is what every golfer strives for. These are the scores that make a round special and are universally praised. They even have cool names, most of which are famously themed around birds.
A birdie is one of the most common and celebrated achievements in golf. It means you completed a hole in one stroke less than its designated par. The term originated in the early 20th century in America, where "bird" was slang for something excellent or cool.
Making a birdie feels fantastic. It’s an accomplishment that proves you hit a great series of shots and can give you a major confidence boost for the rest of your round.
One upping the birdie, an eagle means you completed a hole in two strokes less than the par. Sticking with the avian theme, an eagle is a bigger, rarer, and more majestic bird than the one It’s a truly magnificent feat.
Eagles are most common on Par 5s, where a long drive and a fantastic second shot give you a chance to putt for eagle. They are also possible, but much rarer, on short par 4s.
Now we're getting into truly exceptional territory. An albatross, also called a double eagle in the United States, is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It's considered one of the rarest feats in golf - statistically much rarer than a hole-in-one. The name "albatross" follows the theme, referencing a large and very rare seabird.
An albatross can only happen in two scenarios:
Get ready for a golf's version a mythical creature with a condor. A Condor represents a scores of four-under on a single hole. It has only one way for It's to be achieved: making a hole-in--one on a Par-5. The likelihood of this happening combines the near-impossible shots, requiring incredible distance, accuracy and luck. While it's recorded to happened a few times in history, it would be the holy grail for most golfers. Not many people will ever see a condor.
An amazing shot, that even the pros celebrate with unbridled joy: a hole-in-one, also know as an ace. An Ace is a player using only one stroke to get the ball into the hole from the tee box. While it is It's own accomplishment, how it is scored officially really depends on Par For the particular hole That's being played. It has achieved legendary status.
Anytime you make an ace, it is a moment to remember - It’s the shot every golfer dreams of making at sometime in their career!!
Now, let's come back to earth. While we alldream of eagles and even birdies, the majority of scores for recreational golfers will probablybe over par, especially in the eary learning phase to the sport. The language of higher scores is wayless glamorous than birds of prey, and it comes from another bit of golfing histor. These are not a sourcefor discouragements at all - they are just part a parcelof golf for us all no matter how skilled they are golfers become!
A scoring of bogey is achieved when a golfer plays one stroke more than is set for hole. Golf is challenging, so this score really means there wasn-t too muchest damage doneduring playing through that segment of eachround. Many beginner players are happywhen a bogey is scored. Back in thelate 19thcentury,"Bogey-Man"--the old Scottish folktakecharacter--,became partsof vernacular relatedtogolf's scoring systems:The idea developedtochasethe” “BogeyMan"or agolfing standardsetscoreforthegivenholes on a course.
A dreaded Double Bogey means two strokes more onapar ticular hole. This'll definitelyhurt your finaltallycard. Often times thisisresult offrom having committed afew playingerrorssuchas hitting outsofbounds, into thesand trap andsoforth.Or when puttitng takesan extratwo moreattempts togetthe golf ball dropped down in the hole.
'triple-bogey'or for as4+ score- it’s a quadruple_bogeySo if on Pargolf4s someone sayshey,“Igota-sev"thatimplies thatplayer took 3.extraclub swings so theygot the TripleBoogey score in total fortheday. It's muchmore ofa commonmethod than naming out everyingleBogeytype afterdouble.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
