What Is a Double Birdie in Golf?

A double birdie is one of golf's most thrilling and elusive scores, but its name is a bit of a misnomer. This score is officially known as an albatross, and it represents a pinnacle achievement in a golfer's life. This guide will walk you through exactly what an albatross is, how it's scored on different types of holes, just how rare this amazing feat is, and some practical steps you can take to give yourself the best possible chance to make one.

What Exactly Is a Double Birdie? The Albatross Explained

Let's clear up the naming confusion right away. In golf, scoring is based relative to "par," the predetermined number of strokes a highly skilled golfer should take to complete a hole.

• A Birdie is one stroke under par (-1).
• An Eagle is two strokes under par (-2).

Logically, you might think a "double birdie" would mean two strokes under par, but that term is already taken by the eagle. The term "double birdie" is therefore a casual, though technically incorrect, name for a score of three strokes under par (-3) on a single hole. The accepted and far more common term is an Albatross.

You may also hear it called a Double Eagle, particularly in the United States, but "albatross" is the globally recognized term. Both refer to the same incredible score: 3-under-par on one hole. Just like the magnificent seabird it's named after, this score is a rare and majestic sight on the golf course.

The Anatomy of an Albatross: How It Happens

Scoring three shots below par is an incredible accomplishment that combines immense power with stunning accuracy. It's only possible on holes with a par of 4 or 5, as you need three strokes to "give" to get to 3-under. Here’s how it breaks down.

Making an Albatross on a Par-5

This is the most common scenario for an albatross, though "common" is a highly relative term here. A par-5 is designed to be reached in three shots by a very good golfer, with two shots to get reasonably close to the green and a third shot to putt or chip in. An albatross turns this entire concept on its head.

To score an albatross on a par-5, you need to hole out your second shot. The final score is a 2.

• Shot 1 (The Tee Shot): You need a massive, well-placed drive. This isn't just a good drive, it has to be a monster. We're talking 280, 300, or even 320+ yards, landing in a perfect spot in the fairway. This shot has to leave you with a manageable, albeit very long, approach shot to the green.
• Shot 2 (The Approach Shot): This is the hero shot. From a distance where most players are just hoping to lay up, you take a full swing with a fairway wood (like a 3-wood or 5-wood), a hybrid, or a long iron. This shot needs to travel well over 200 yards, land softly on the green, and roll directly into the cup. No putting necessary.

It’s the golfing equivalent of a full-court buzzer-beater in basketball. It requires a perfect combination of distance, direction, and a big dose of good fortune.

Making an Albatross on a Par-4

If an albatross on a par-5 is rare, one on a par-4 is almost legendary. This requires making a hole-in-one. The final score is a 1.

Most par-4s are designed to be two-shot holes for skilled players and range from 350 to over 450 yards, making a hole-in-one impossible even for the longest hitters in the world. However, many courses feature "drivable" par-4s, shorter holes that tempt aggressive players to try and hit the green with their tee shot. These holes typically measure between 280 and 330 yards.

Acing a drivable par-4 is an albatross because you card a 1 on a par-4, which is 3-under par. This feat is extraordinarily rare, even more so than a traditional albatross, as it removes the "setup" shot and demands perfection from the very first stroke.

Is an Albatross Possible on a Par-3?

Simply put, no. A par-3 is designed to be completed in three strokes. The best possible score you can achieve is a hole-in-one, which scores a 1. A score of 1 on a par-3 is 2-under-par (-2), which is an Eagle, not an Albatross. To make an albatross, you'd need to hit the ball into the hole before you teed off, and that's just not in the rules!

Just How Rare is The Majestic Albatross?

To give you some perspective, almost every regular golfer knows someone who has made a hole-in-one, or they may even have one themselves. But you can go your entire life without ever witnessing an albatross, let alone making one.

The odds speak for themselves:

• The odds of an average amateur golfer making a hole-in-one are roughly 12,500 to 1.
• The estimated odds of an average amateur golfer making an albatross skyrocket to a staggering 6 million to 1.

It's an achievement that has created some of golf’s most iconic moments. One of the most famous was Gene Sarazen’s "shot heard 'round the world" at the 1935 Masters Tournament. On the 15th hole, a par-5, Sarazen holed his second shot with a 4-wood from 235 yards. That single shot allowed him to tie for the lead and eventually win the tournament in a playoff, cementing the albatross in golfing lore.

More recently, millions watched as Louis Oosthuizen holed a 4-iron from 253 yards on the second hole (a par-5) at Augusta National during the final round of the 2012 Masters. It was the first albatross ever recorded on that hole and one of only four in the entire history of the tournament.

The Path to the Impossible: Practical Steps to Chase the Dream

Let's be realistic: making an albatross is mostly about being in the right place at the right time with a dash of incredible luck. However, you can absolutely work on the skills that put you in a position to let that luck happen. You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket, and you can’t make an albatross if your long game isn’t up to the task.

Here’s what you, as a motivated golfer, can work on to one day have a shot at this amazing goal.

Step 1: Build a Foundation with a Powerful and Accurate Drive

Everything starts on the tee. To even have a chance at reaching a par-5 in two, you need a strong, reliable drive. This doesn’t mean swinging out of your shoes. Power in the golf swing comes from proper mechanics and rotation, not just brute force.

• Focus on Rotation: The golf swing is a rounded action. True power is generated from the rotation of your torso - your shoulders and hips. Practice turning your body away from the ball and then unwinding forcefully through it. Don't fall into the trap of thinking it's an up-and-down chopping motion with your arms. The body is the engine.
• Athletic Setup: A good setup promotes balance and power. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, lean over from your hips while keeping your back relatively straight, and let your arms hang naturally. This athletic stance gives you astable base to rotate around.
• Find the Center: An off-center hit robs you of distance. Spend time at the driving range using impact tape or foot spray on your driver's face to see where you're making contact. Learning to consistently find the sweet spot is more valuable than adding a few mph of swing speed.

Step 2: Master Your Long Approach Shots

This is where the magic truly happens. Hitting a fairway wood, hybrid, or long iron purely off the fairway from over 200 yards is one of the most difficult shots in golf. Here’s how to improve.

• Sweep, Don't Dig: A common mistake is trying to "lift" the ball into the air with these clubs. Trust the club's loft to do the work. The goal is to sweep the ball off the turf with a shallow angle of attack. Think of brushing the grass through impact, not taking a deep, chunky divot like you would with a short iron.
• Maintain Balance: Hitting a 3-wood requires a full, powerful swing, but you must stay balanced from start to finish. Hold your finish position until the ball lands. If you're falling over or off-balance, it’s a sign that you're swinging too hard and losing control. A smooth, balanced swing will produce more consistent and powerful results.
• Practice with Purpose: Don't neglect these clubs at the range. Pick out specific, distant targets and try to hit them. Hitting your 3-wood well just once or twice isn’t enough, you need to build the confidence that comes from repeating the shot successfully time and again.

Step 3: Know When to Go for It (Informed Risk-Taking)

Perfecting your swing is only half the battle. You have to be smart about when to unleash the hero shot. Good course management is essential.

• Assess the Lie: Is your ball sitting "clean" in the middle of the fairway? Or is it in the first cut of rough? A fluffy lie can make a clean strike with a fairway wood tough, while a tight lie can be just as intimidating. Be honest with yourself about your ability to hit the shot from your specific lie.
• Analyze the Risk vs. Reward: Take a look at the green. Is it protected by a deep bunker? A pond right in front? Trees overhang one side? A shot that misses might leave you in a position that leads to a double bogey or worse. Sometimes, the smart play is to lay up with an iron to a comfortable wedge distance and secure your birdie or par.
• Commit to Your Decision: Once you decide to go for it, fully commit. Indecision is a swing-killer. A confident, committed swing on a risky shot has a much better chance of success than a tentative, fearful one. Trust your preparation and let it fly.

Final Thoughts

Making a double birdie, a true albatross, is the kind of breathtaking moment that solidifies a golfer's passion for the game. While it relies heavily on a perfect strike and a bit of fortune, developing a powerful driver game and a consistent long-iron or fairway wood game is how you earn the opportunity for that luck to strike.

While that one amazing shot moment depends on your swing, making the right choice to even attempt it is a big part of the game. That’s a challenge where we believed technology could help, which is why we built Caddie AI. On those special par-5s, you can describe the hole and our coaching intelligence offers instant strategic advice, breaking down the shot so you can make a smarter, more confident choice. When you are facing that long, daunting second shot, you can even snap a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll give you a recommendation on how to play it, removing doubt and letting you swing with full commitment. It’s like having a tour-level caddie in your pocket, helping you think your way to better golf.