What Is a Dodo in Golf?

If you heard someone on the course mention a dodo and you're now secretly trying to figure out what it is, you've come to the right place. Let us clear things up so you can walk back onto the first tee with confidence. This article will explain exactly what a dodo is in golf and introduce you to the real, quirky terms that make the game so unique.

So, What Is a Dodo in Golf? The Straight Answer

Here’s the simple truth: there is no official scoring term in golf called a "dodo." It's not a real piece of golf slang, it’s not a type of score, and it’s not a secret term used by the pros. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

So where did you hear it? Most likely, one of two things happened:

1. You may have misheard another term. Golf’s scoring system is famously full of bird names, and it's easy to get them confused.
2. It was probably a joke. Golfers love friendly ribbing, and someone might have just called a particularly bad shot a "dodo" - as in, an extinct, flightless bird, which is a pretty funny (if painful) description for a topped drive that dribbles 20 yards.

But while the dodo may be extinct on the golf course, its avian cousins are very much alive. Your confusion is completely understandable because the scoring system can seem a little strange. Let's look at the real birds of golf scoring.

The Real "Birds" of Golf Scoring Explained

The tradition of naming scores after birds is one of golf's coolest quirks. It all revolves around your score on a single hole relative to its "par." Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. Shooting below par is good, and that's where the birds come in.

Think of it like a hierarchy: the rarer and more impressive the bird, the better the score.

Condor (-4 on a hole)

This is the rarest score in all of golf, practically a myth. A condor, or a "triple-eagle," is a score of four-under par on a single hole. How is this even possible? The only way is to get a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole or a two on a par-6. Has it ever happened? The official count stands at an estimated six times in the history of the sport. If you ever see one, you've witnessed golf's equivalent of a shooting star.

Albatross (or Double Eagle) (-3 on a hole)

A much more achievable, yet still incredibly rare feat. An albatross is a score of three-under par on a hole. This is most commonly achieved by scoring a two on a par-5 (holing out your second shot) or making a hole-in-one on a par-4. It's called an "Albatross" and also a "Double Eagle" in the United States. Getting one is a highlight of any golfer's career, and it's something most of us can only dream of.

Eagle (-2 on a hole)

Now we’re getting into the realm of possibility for regular amateur golfers. An eagle is a score of two-under par on a hole. An eagle is usually a two on a par-4 or a three on a par-5, achieved by holing a long putt or even chipping in. It’s an exciting moment that always gets the blood pumping and can completely turn a good round into a great one.

Birdie (-1 on a hole)

This is the most common and sought-after bird in golf. A birdie is one-under par on a hole - for instance, making a three on a par-4 or a four on a par-5. Stringing a few birdies together is the key to shooting low scores, and the feeling of draining a putt for birdie is what keeps us all coming back for more.

Par (E)

Par is the benchmark. Making a par means you completed the hole in the expected number of strokes (e.g., a four on a par-4). While it may not have a fancy bird name, a scorecard full of pars is a beautiful sight and the foundation of a solid round. Consistently making pars is a sign of a very good golfer.

The "Ugly" Scores

Once you go over par, the bird theme stops abruptly. This is when the scores get more straightforward, and less glamorous.

• Bogey: One-over par (+1)
• Double Bogey: Two-over par (+2)
• Triple Bogey: Three-over par (+3)

And so on. Nobody likes these, but they are a part of the game for every one of us.

Where Did All These Bird Names Come From? A Little History

So why birds? The tradition reportedly started in the United States around the turn of the 20th century. Here’s the story:

In 1899 (or 1903, the story varies) at the Atlantic City Country Club in New Jersey, a group of golfers were playing a match. One of the players, Ab Smith, hit a magnificent second shot on a par-4 that landed inches from the hole. He exclaimed that it was a "bird of a shot."

In the slang of the day, "bird" meant something excellent or cool. After he made the putt for one-under-par, his group decided to call this score a "birdie" from then on. The idea caught on. When golfers started making scores of two-under-par, they needed a bigger, more majestic bird, so "eagle" was adopted. The albatross and condor are just logical extensions of that same high-flying theme.

Other Wacky Golf Slang You'll Actually Hear

While "dodo" isn't one of them, golf is filled with other strange and wonderful terms. Knowing a few of these will make you feel like you're in the know.

• Snowman: One of the slang terms you don't want to get. It's when you make an 8 on a hole. Why? Because the number 8 looks like a snowman.
• Barkie: You hit a tree, but still managed to make par on the hole. You get points for this in some friendly games because your shot went "bark" and you still scored well.
• Mulligan: A "do-over" shot, usually taken on the first tee after a poor drive. It's not allowed in the official rules, but it’s a standard in casual, friendly rounds.
• Gimme: A putt so short that your playing partners tell you to just pick it up without hitting it, as in "that's a gimme." It's a gesture of sportsmanship to speed up play.
• Worm Burner: A shot that never gets off the ground and just skims or "burns" along the grass like a worm. A classic mis-hit that everyone, from beginner to pro, has experienced.
• Flyer: When your ball is in the rough, but it comes out with less spin and goes much farther than you intended. You’ll often hear someone say, “Wow, that was a flyer lie.”
• Shank: The single most feared word in golf. A shank, or "hosel rocket," is when the ball strikes the hosel (the part of the club where the head connects to the shaft) and shoots out sharply to the right (for a right-handed player). It's a shot-destroyer.

How to Keep Score the Simple Way

Understanding all this terminology is great, but don't let it intimidate you. The goal is to have fun, not to memorize a dictionary. Here's a simple way to think about keeping score when you're starting out.

1. Find the Par: On each hole's tee box sign, you'll see its par (Par 3, Par 4, or Par 5). This is your target score.
2. Just Count your Strokes: From your first shot on the tee to your last putt that drops in the hole, count every single swing you take. That's your score for the hole. Don't forget whiffs (missing the ball completely) and penalty strokes!
3. Write it Down: Write that number down on the scorecard next to the correct hole number.
4. Don't Worry About Par (at first): If you're new to the game, forget about trying to make par. Just focus on hitting the next shot well and counting your strokes honestly. Comparing your score to par can come later as you gain more experience. Your main goal is to finish the round with a lower total number of strokes than the last time you played.

Focusing on your own progress and enjoying the good shots is a much healthier way to learn the game than obsessing over bogeys and double bogeys. Everyone starts somewhere, and every golfer on the course was once in your shoes, counting up high scores and wondering what all the weird terms meant.

Final Thoughts

So, there is officially no "dodo" in golf, but its mythical status perfectly illustrates the confusing and funny nature of golf terminology. The game is packed with scoring birds, quirky slang, and unwritten rules that can feel a bit overwhelming, but learning them is part of the fun of becoming a golfer.

When you encounter any confusing situations or just want a second opinion on the course, you can use our golf app, Caddie AI anytime to ask a question. Since Caddie AI acts as your 24/7 personal caddie, you can ask for anything from course strategy, rules clarifications or shot-selection advice on complex lies... All so that you can play smarter when you're on the golf course. It’s like having an expert friend right in your pocket, ready to take the guesswork out of the game so you can play with more confidence.