What Is a Double Albatross in Golf?

A score of four-under-par on a single hole is the single most remarkable and unlikely shot in all of golf. Known as a double albatross, or more commonly a condor, it represents a feat so rare that most golfers play their entire lives without ever hearing about it, let alone seeing one. This article will explain exactly what a double albatross is, how it can be achieved, and just how staggeringly improbable this ultimate golf achievement really is.

Understanding Golf’s Bird-Themed Scoring

To fully appreciate the gravity of a double albatross, it helps to understand the standard scoring terminology in golf, much of which is affectionately named after birds. This system rewards players for completing a hole in fewer strokes than its designated "par."

Par is the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole. Your score on any given hole is measured relative to that number.

• Birdie: A score of one stroke under par (-1). This is a great score that all golfers strive for.
• Eagle: A score of two strokes under par (-2). Significantly harder to achieve, an eagle typically comes from holing out your second shot on a Par 4 or reaching a Par 5 in two shots and making the putt.
• Albatross (or Double Eagle): A score of three strokes under par (-3). Now we’re in exceptionally rare territory. An albatross is achieved by making a 2 on a Par 5 or a hole-in-one on a Par 4. Most professional golfers will go their entire careers without making one.

Following this logical pattern, we arrive at the top of the pyramid: the double albatross.

What Exactly Is a Double Albatross?

A double albatross is a score of four strokes under par (-4) on an individual hole. It sits one step above the albatross in the hierarchy of golf achievements, representing the absolute pinnacle of scoring. Given its name, it’s also frequently and more colorfully known as a “condor.” The name follows the bird theme, with the massive and impressive condor fittingly representing the grandest score possible.

So, how does a golfer make a score of four-under on one hole? There are only two ways it’s theoretically possible:

1. A hole-in-one on a Par 5.
2. A score of 2 on a Par 6.

Let's look at why both of these scenarios are almost unimaginable.

The Near-Impossible Par-5 Hole-in-One

Most Par 5 holes on a standard golf course measure between 470 and 600 yards. The world record for the longest drive in a competition is just over 500 yards, achieved under special conditions. For a golfer to make a hole-in-one on a Par 5, they would need a combination of incredible power, a helping wind, a massive downhill elevation change, and an extraordinary amount of luck. The drive would have to go farther than any professional can consistently hit it and then have the good fortune to roll perfectly onto the green and into the hole.

The only semi-plausible scenario is on a sharp "dogleg" Par 5, where the hole turns aggressively. A player might intentionally (or accidentally) hit a massive drive that cuts over trees or a hazard, landing on the green and finding the cup. The shot wouldn't travel the full scorecard yardage in a straight line, but it would have to be a heroic carry and a truly lucky bounce. It’s so unlikely that, for all practical purposes, it’s considered impossible in normal play.

The Ultra-Rare Deuce on a Par 6

Par 6 holes are not standard on most courses. They are specialty holes that stretch over 650 yards, a nd sometimes much more. Making a 2 on a Par 6 is the most likely way a condor has ever been scored.

However, that doesn't make it easy. Consider what it takes:

• The Drive: A golfer would need a blistering drive of 350+ yards just to get into a reasonable position.
• The Approach Shot: From there, they would have to hole out their second shot from 300+ yards away. Hitting a 3-wood or driver off the fairway isn't just about distance, it's about phenomenal accuracy. To have it land on the green and roll into the pin from that far out is a shot most golfers can only dream of.

Has a Condor Ever Actually Happened?

Yes. Despite the borderline impossibility, there are a handful of documented, albeit unverified by major golf organizations, instances of a condor being scored. These legendary shots have secured their place in golf folklore.

1. Larry Bruce, 1962

The first recorded condor occurred at Hope Country Club in Arkansas. Golfer Larry Bruce hit a drive on the 480-yard Par 5 5th hole. The hole was a sharp dogleg right. Bruce aimed his drive over a stand of pine trees, cutting the corner completely. The ball landed on the green and rolled straight into the hole for a one-of-a-kind hole-in-one on a Par 5.

2. Shaun Lynch, 1995

At Teign Valley Golf Club in England, Shaun Lynch scored his condor on the 496-yard Par 5 17th. Using his 3-iron (an incredible choice for a driver alternative), he played a shot over a 20-foot-high hedge to cut a dogleg. Unsighted, he didn't realize the shot had gone in. His playing partners were able to see the ball drop onto the downward-sloping green and disappear into the hole.

3. Mike Crean, 2002

Playing at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Mike Crean achieved his condor on the 517-yard Par 5 9th hole. With the high altitude giving balls some extra flight, his powerful drive cut the corner, found the green, and rolled right in. Like the others, it was an ace on a Par 5 assisted by a well-taken shortcut.

4. Kevin Pun, 2020

The most recent example comes from Kevin Pun, who reportedly made a 2 on the monstrous 667-yard Par 6 18th hole at Lake Chabot Golf Course in California. This is the only well-known condor achieved on a Par 6, involving a mammoth drive and a second shot that found the bottom of the cup from a huge distance.

What Are the Odds of a Double Albatross?

Putting a number on the odds of a condor is difficult because they are so astronomical and not officially tracked. However, we can use the odds of other great golf shots to get a sense of scale.

• Odds of a hole-in-one (for an amateur golfer): Roughly 12,500 to 1.
• Odds of an albatross: Estimated to be around 6 million to 1.
• Odds of a condor (double albatross): There are no official odds, but experts and statisticians have thrown out numbers ranging from 100 million to 1 to even a billion to 1.

Essentially, you are significantly more likely to win the lottery than you are to make a double albatross. It’s a shot so improbable that it stands as one of the hardest single achievements in any sport.

A Goal for You? How to Think About the Condor

Aspiring to make a double albatross isn't a practical goal. It falls into the category of "freak occurrence" or "divine intervention." No golf coach can outline a step-by-step plan to make a hole-in-one a on a Par 5.

However, we can take inspiration from it. The elements that create even a sliver of a chance at a condor are the same ones that make you a better golfer:

1. Developing power and distance: While you might not drive it 500 yards, working on your swing mechanics to gain yardage will help you score better on every hole.
2. Smart course management: The players who made condors on Par 5s saw an opportunity to take an aggressive line. Understanding risk and reward is something every golfer can improve upon. Knowing when to be aggressive and when to play safe is fundamental to lowering your scores.
3. Long iron an wood accuracy: Want to have a chance at an eagle or an albatross? You have to be able to hit your long clubs accurately from the fairway. Practicing with your 3-wood, 5-wood, and your hybrids or long irons is a great way to give yourself more scoring opportunities.

So, instead of dreaming about the one-in-a-hundred-million shot, focus on building the skills that put birdies and eagles within your reach. That’s how you consistently improve and enjoy the game more. And if one day, you happen to cut a corner on a dogleg Par 5 and your ball finds the bottom of the cup… you'll have a truly legendary story to tell.

Final Thoughts

A double albatross, or condor, is a 4-under-par score on a single hole, representing the rarest and most legendary accomplishment in golf. Whether made via an ace on a Par 5 or a 2 on a Par 6, it’s a moment of history that only a handful of golfers have ever experienced.

While making a condor is a wonderful daydream, making smarter decisions on the course is a skill you can improve every round. For those tough decisions, like how to attack a dogleg or whether you should try for the green in two, getting a solid strategic opinion is invaluable. For that, I often turn to Caddie AI. When you're unsure how to play a hole, you can get instant advice on the smartest line to take, helping you understand risk-reward and commit to your shot with more confidence.