What Do You Call Three-Under-Par on a Single Hole in Golf?

A score of three-under-par on a single hole in golf is called an albatross or, more commonly in the United States, a double eagle. It’s one of the rarest and most celebrated achievements in the sport, a feat of skill and luck that most golfers will only ever dream of. This article will break down exactly what an albatross is, the different ways you can make one, just how unlikely it is, and what you can work on as a player to at least give yourself a shot at this legendary score.

The Official Names: Albatross and Double Eagle

Walk onto a golf course in the UK and hole out your second shot on a par-5, and your playing partners will cry, "You've made an albatross!" Do the same thing in California, and you'll hear, "It's a double eagle!"

So, which is it? The short answer is: both are correct. The terms are interchangeable and refer to the exact same accomplishment of scoring three strokes below par on a single hole.

• Double Eagle: This is the term most widely used in the United States. It follows a sort of logical progression from the other common scoring terms. If one-under is a "birdie" and two-under is an "eagle" (a bigger, more impressive bird), then three-under is sold as being doubly impressive - a "double eagle." It’s a straightforward, distinctly American term.
• Albatross: This is the preferred term in most other parts of the world, especially across Europe. It continues the avian theme. Following the birdie and the eagle, the albatross was chosen because it’s an exceptionally large and magnificent seabird, known for its ability to travel enormous distances with effortless grace. Given that scoring a three-under-par involves a ball traveling a huge distance into a tiny hole, the name feels incredibly fitting. It adds a touch of worldly romanticism to the score.

While an avid golfer will know what you mean regardless of which term you use, it's good to know the regional preferences. The R&A, the governing body of golf outside the US and Mexico, officially recognizes "albatross," while the USGA acknowledges that "double eagle" is the more common name in its jurisdiction.

The Scenarios: How Do You Actually Make an Albatross?

Now for the fun part: how does a shot that rare even happen? An albatross is the result of holing out a very long shot. For a player to be three-under-par, the par for the hole must be at least 4. Here are the practical ways an albatross comes to be.

Scenario 1: Scoring a 2 on a Par-5

This is the most frequent path to an albatross. Par-5s are the longest holes on the course, designed to be completed in five strokes by a scratch golfer: a drive, a layup shot, a short approach to the green, and two putts. To card an albatross, you have to do it in just two strokes.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

1. The Drive: It begins with a phenomenal tee shot. To have any chance of reaching the green in two, you need a long, well-placed drive that leaves you within striking distance. We’re not just talking a good drive - we're talking about one of the best drives of your life.
2. The Approach: This is the moment of truth. From far down the fairway - often over 200 yards away - you have to hit a second shot with a fairway wood, hybrid, or long iron that lands on the green and finds its way into the cup. It has to be a perfect strike, on a perfect line, with perfect distance control.

Imagine standing on a 540-yard par-5. You hit a beautiful, towering drive that comes to rest 300 yards down the middle of the fairway. You're left with 240 yards to a pin tucked behind a bunker. Pulling your 3-wood, you swing away, launching the ball on a high, straight path toward the flag. It lands just short of the green, takes a soft bounce, and rolls directly into the hole. That’s your albatross.

Scenario 2: Scoring a 1 on a Par-4

If a 2 on a par-5 is rare, a hole-in-one on a par-4 is almost legendary. This can only happen on what is known as a "drivable" par-4. These holes are typically shorter, often under 350 yards, and may feature a dogleg that allows long hitters to cut the corner and take a direct line at the green.

The shot is exactly what it sounds like: a single stroke from the teeing ground that travels the entire length of the hole and drops in for a 1. For a player with the sheer power to attempt this, it requires even more heroic precision than the second shot on a par-5, as there’s often more trouble (trees, water, bunkers) guarding the green from the tee.

What About a Hole-in-One on a Par-5?

Technically, a "-4" on a single hole is known as a condor, and yes, that would be a hole-in-one on a par-5. This score is golf's truest unicorn. As far as official records go, it has happened only a handful of times in history, usually on holes with extreme layouts, like a horseshoe-shaped dogleg where a player hit a tee shot over towering trees during frigid, icy conditions, allowing the ball to run out for miles on a frozen fairway. It’s a wonderful piece of golf trivia, but not a practical possibility for us mortals.

Just How Rare is a Double Eagle? Let's Talk Numbers

To put the albatross in perspective, let’s compare it to its more famous cousin, the hole-in-one. The odds of an average amateur golfer making a hole-in-one are estimated to be around 12,500 to 1.

The odds of that same golfer making an albatross? Most estimates place it somewhere between 1 million to 1 and 6 million to 1.

It is monumentally rarer than an ace. Even on the PGA Tour, where the best players in the world compete weekly, a season might see dozens of holes-in-one but only one or two albatrosses. Gene Sarazen’s famous double eagle on the 15th hole at the 1935 Masters - the "shot heard 'round the world" - is arguably the most historically significant single shot in golf, helping put the tournament on the map.

Simply put, if you ever witness an albatross, let alone make one yourself, you have experienced one of the rarest moments the game has to offer.

Chasing the Ghost: A Coach's Guide to Setting Up an Albatross Chance

So, we've established an albatross is almost entirely based on luck. But you can practice in a way that puts you in a position to get lucky. Chasing this score is less about trying to make it happen and more about developing the skills that give you the opportunity in the first place. As a coach, instead of focusing on the impossible outcome, I’d have you focus on these fundamental areas.

1. Develop Usable Power, Not Just Raw Speed

The first requirement is distance. You simply can't get an albatross if you can't reach a par-5 green in two. However, raw power is nothing without control. Rather than just swinging for the fences, work on the rotational mechanics of your golf swing. Your power comes from turning your body - your hips and shoulders - not from an "up and down" chopping motion with your arms. A smooth, connected swing that relies on body rotation will produce centered contact. A ball struck on the sweet spot will fly farther and straighter than a wild, off-center swing every single time. This is what unlocks *effective* distance.

2. Become Confident With Your Fairway Woods

The albatross shot is almost always made with a fairway wood or a long iron. This is a part of the bag that many amateurs neglect. Most golfers go to the range and hit driver and 7-iron. To give yourself a chance, you need to be comfortable hitting that 200+ yard shot off the turf.

Practice Tip: Dedicate part of your range sessions to hitting your 3-wood, 5-wood, and/or hybrids off the deck (without a tee). Don’t just hit balls - pick a specific target for each shot. The goal is to develop a repeatable swing that produces a consistent flight and solid contact with these clubs. This is the skill that turns a 250-yard "hope" into a confident shot at the green.

3. Think Strategically on Par-5s

Playing a par-5 isn't just about hitting the ball as far as you can. It's about placement. When you stand on the tee, don't just aim vaguely down the middle. Think about where the pin is. Where is the best spot to position your drive to open up a clean angle to the green? Often, being 15 yards shorter but in the middle of the fairway is tremendously better than being farther along in the right rough with an awkward angle or stance.

The smarter you plan your first shot, the better your opportunity on the second shot. It’s this strategic thinking that consistently puts you in a position to score well, and very rarely, gives you that one-in-a-million look at an albatross.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, a three-under-par score - an albatross or double eagle - represents a perfect moment where immense skill and enormous luck collide on the golf course. It’s what happens when you hit a career shot that gets a fortunate bounce and finds the bottom of the cup, most often on a long par-5.

While an albatross relies on quite a bit of chance, putting yourself in position starts with making smart choices, especially on those long par-5s. Knowing the best line off the tee or having the confidence to pull the right club for a 220-yard approach shot can make all the difference. This is exactly what we created Caddie AI to help with. When you're planning your hole, our app can give you an instant, smart strategy, suggesting the optimal target for your tee shot and recommending a club for your approach. It simplifies the hard decisions so you can stand over the ball, trust your plan, and swing freely - ready for whatever the game might send your way.