Making four birdies in a row is called a Hambone, a fantastic term borrowed from the sport of bowling. This article won’t just define this awesome piece of golf slang, it will serve as your coaching guide to making this epic achievement a real possibility in your own game. We'll break down the strategy, mindset, and practical steps needed to string together birdies and chase down your own Hambone.
Every golfer dreams of circling numbers on their scorecard. One birdie is a great feeling. Two are even better. Three in a row is often called a "Turkey," another term nabbed from bowling slang for three consecutive strikes. So, what about four? That glorious streak is a Hambone.
The term wasn't born on the fairways. It was popularized in the broadcast booth. Legendary sportscaster and Hall of Fame bowling announcer Chris Schenkel would exclaim “It’s a Hambone!” when a bowler rolled their fourth consecutive strike. Years later, current PGA Tour caddie and announcer Paul Tesori, a huge bowling fan, was sharing this story on air. His broadcast partner, Mike Tirico, loved it so much that he started using it during golf telecasts to describe a player making four birdies in a row. The name stuck, and a new piece of a golf lexicon was created.
Achieving a Hambone is a massive accomplishment. It signifies that for a four-hole stretch, a golfer is playing at an incredibly high level, showcasing a combination of power, precision, and steely nerves. It’s the kind of hot streak that can completely transform a round.
Before you can string four birdies together, you have to understand how to make just one. It isn't about blind luck, it's about creating opportunities and capitalizing on them. There are generally two paths to making a birdie on a hole:
A Hambone almost always involves a mix of both. You might hit a par-5 in two and two-putt for an easy birdie, hit a tight approach on a par-4 and drain a 15-footer, then miss a green on the next hole and chip one in. It requires every part of your game to be sharp and ready to perform.
As a golf coach, I can tell you that the biggest obstacle to a long birdie streak isn’t a tough pin position or a narrow fairway - it’s the six inches between your ears. Once you make two birdies in a row, the thought inevitably sneaks in: "Wow, I'm playing so well. Can I get another one?" That's often when things fall apart. The pressure builds, your muscles get tight, and you start playing not to make a bogey instead of playing to make another birdie. Here's how to manage the mental side.
This is the single most important mental shift you can make. Do not focus on "making a birdie." Focus on your process for the shot right in front of you. A perfect pre-shot routine is your best friend during a hot streak. It might look something like this:
By focusing entirely on your routine, you take your mind off the result. A birdie isn't something you force, it's the natural result of executing a series of good shots based on a solid process.
The hole you just birdied is in the past. The tough finishing holes are in the future. Neither one matters for the tee shot you're about to hit. The only thing you have control over is this shot. When you feel your mind drifting to your score or the what-ifs of the round, gently bring your focus back to the immediate task: walking to your ball, getting a yardage, or feeling the wind. Stay present, and the streak will take care of itself.
Okay, you’re mentally prepared. Now what? You can’t just will birdies into existence. You need a tangible strategy. Here is a four-step plan to give yourself the best possible chance to go on a run.
Every course has easier and harder holes. Before you tee off, grab a scorecard and identify your "green light" holes. These are typically:
Mark these on your card. When you get to one of these holes, your mindset shifts slightly towards being a bit more aggressive with your strategy (while still being smart).
Birdies aren't made from 250 yards out. They're sealed with the clubs you use from about 120 yards and in, especially the putter. If you seriously want to make birdie streaks, you need to be deadly with your scoring clubs. Here are two simple drills to practice:
If you play the par 5s in 1 or 2-under par, you're already well on your way to a great round. For most golfers, the smartest strategy isn’t trying to be a hero.
1. The Tee Shot: Forget raw power. Your only goal is to find the fairway. A 240-yard drive in the short grass is infinitely better than a 270-yard drive in the trees or a penalty area.
2. The Second Shot (Your Layup): This is the most important shot. Don’t just hit your 3-wood as far as you can. Instead, figure out your absolute favorite wedge distance - let's say it's 90 yards. Subtract 90 from the total distance to the green, and hit a club that gets you to that number. Laying up to a "full-swing" yardage you feel comfortable with gives you a much higher chance of hitting the green close than trying to muscle a long iron or hitting an awkward half-swing pitch.
3. The Wedge and Putt: Now you’re in your comfort zone. Execute your go-to wedge shot and give yourself a great look at birdie.
Hunting for birdies means being aggressive, but it does *not* mean being reckless. There's a huge difference撮
The goal is to give yourself as many birdie putts as possible. Over the course of 18 holes, this strategy will yield far more birdies - and prevent the big mistakes that ruin a scorecard and kill a potential streak.
A "Hambone" isn’t just a funny name for four birdies in a row, it's a testament to playing brilliant, confident golf. By combining a sound strategy for attacking birdie holes with a disciplined mental process that keeps you in the present moment, this amazing feat moves from a wild dream to an attainable goal.
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