Shooting 2 under in golf is a significant achievement that signals excellent play, whether it happens on a single hole or over an entire round. Most golfers dream of scoring under par, and getting to two under is a moment to remember. This guide will break down exactly what 2 under in golf means, cover the different contexts, and give you some real, coach-approved advice on how you can start working toward that incredible score yourself.
Before we can talk about being under par, we have to be absolutely clear on what par is. You can’t understand the goal a player has achieved without first understanding the baseline they beat.
In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes a skilled golfer should need to complete a hole. Think of it as the "expected" score.
An entire golf course also has a par, which is simply the total of the pars for all 18 holes. Most standard courses are a Par 70, 71, or, most commonly, 72.
With that foundation set, let's explore what it means to be "2 under."
When a golfer scores 2 under par on an individual hole, it is called an Eagle. It's a rare and exhilarating accomplishment that electrifies a round of golf. An Eagle means you completed the hole in two strokes fewer than its par.
Here’s how you can make an Eagle on different types of holes:
While we're talking about rare feats, it’s worth mentioning the even rarer cousin of the Eagle: the Albatross, or a Double Eagle. This breathtaking accomplishment is a score of 3-under-par on a single hole. It means scoring a 2 on a Par 5 (hitting a perfect drive and then holing out your second shot from the fairway) or, almost impossibly, a hole-in-one on a Par 4.
The odds of an amateur golfer making an albatross are estimated to be somewhere around 6 million to 1, making it one of the most remarkable shots in all of sports.
Scoring an Eagle on one hole is an amazing feeling, but posting a final score of 2 under par for the entire 18-hole round is a mark of a truly skilled and consistent golfer.
Shooting "2 under" for the round simply means your total score at the end of 18 holes was two strokes better than the course's par. If you're playing a Par 72 course, a 2-under-par round would be a final score of 70.
A round of 2 under par is rarely a result of just making two birdies and 16 pars. Golf is a game of ups and downs, and a good score is often about balancing the good holes with the bad. A golfer shooting 70 on a Par 72 might have a scorecard that looks something like this:
The final math would be: -4 (from birdies) + 2 (from bogeys) = -2 total score relative to par.
This is what makes shooting under par for a round so impressive. It doesn’t demand a perfect round without mistakes. Instead, it demonstrates the ability to bounce back from bogeys with birdies and to manage the game well enough to produce more positive outcomes than negative ones over four-plus hours of play.
For most amateur golfers, the concept of shooting under par can feel a million miles away. You might be focused on simply breaking 100 or 90. But the strategies that lead to lower scores are essential for golfers at every level. If you want to start making progress toward becoming a player who can legitimately challenge par, here are some practical, fundamental areas to focus on.
Lowering your score isn’t always about hitting the ball better, it’s about thinking better. The number one mistake I see golfers make is poor decision-making.
Around 60-70% of all golf shots happen within 100 yards of the hole. This is where scores are truly made. The pros aren't necessarily that much better than you off the tee an average basis - where they truly dominate is with their wedges and putter.
Par 5s are the breathing room on any golf course. They are your best opportunity to score under par, yet so many amateurs play them without a clear strategy. For most players, you should approach every Par 5 as a planned three-shot hole.
By a adopting this "three-shot" mindset, you can turn a low-percentage gamble into a high-percentage birdie opportunity on a consistent basis.
Understanding "2 under" in golf celebrates two different but equally impressive feats: the single-hole brilliance of an Eagle and the sustained excellence of a complete under-par round. Achieving either represents a combination of great shot-making, smart on-course strategy, and mental toughness. It's a gold standard that shows a golfer is truly in command of their game.
Embraking on a path to a playing under-par requires hard work and a commitment to smart preparation and execution on the course. I've found modern technology can now make tour-level strategic insights accessible to every golfer looking for that edge. With my personalized a on-demand golf coaching app, Caddie AI, you can do just that This invaluable on or off course tool for providing you immediate access to strategic coaching during any situation. If you’re standing on a tricky Par 4 and a decision on how to approach the shot can become a stressful moment - but by just taking pictures of the whole that you are on within my app it will instantly give a whole strategy so no the best areas to go as well as avoid. Using this for every single hole can help minimize the potential mistakes you might otherwise make an increase the opportunity for scoring, making birdies and even eagles feel that much more attainable. Our goal is to simply equip every goffer with tour-level coaching, a strategic Caddie the course and an always available guru so that next time you get out on the course a 2 under might come a little less unexpectedly and turn into a moment of pure bliss with friends for great memories to laugh over later!
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