What Is a Triple Birdie in Golf?

A triple birdie isn't an official golf term you'll hear from a tournament official, but on the course, it refers to one of the rarest and most exciting feats in the game: scoring three strokes under par on a single hole. This guide explains exactly what a triple birdie is, the legendary names it goes by, and most importantly, offers a clear, coach-approved blueprint for how you can start building the skills to give yourself a shot at this incredible achievement.

What is a Triple Birdie? Albatross, Double Eagle, and Scoring Explained

In golf's scoring lexicon, there are pars, birdies (one under par), and eagles (two under par). A "triple birdie" simply extends this logic to mean scoring 3-under par on one hole. While the term is easily understood among golfers, the official and more widely accepted names for this accomplishment are an Albatross or a Double Eagle.

The name you hear often depends on where you are. "Albatross" is the more traditional term, common throughout Europe and the rest of the world. "Double Eagle" is the preferred term in the United States. They both mean the exact same thing:

• Scoring a 2 on a Par 5: This is the most common way an albatross is made. It requires a tremendous tee shot, followed by holing your second shot from the fairway.
• Scoring a 1 (a hole-in-one) on a Par 4: This is an even rarer event, requiring you to ace a "drivable" par 4, a hole that is short enough to be reached from the tee.

Is a Triple Birdie the Same as Three Birdies in a Row?

This is a frequent point of confusion, so let's clear it up. A triple birdie is not the same as getting three birdies in a row. Making three consecutive birdies is an excellent accomplishment often called a "turkey" in casual rounds, but it involves scoring 1-under par on three different holes. An albatross, or triple birdie, is the much more difficult feat of scoring 3-under par on a single hole.

Just How Rare is a Triple Birdie? Putting the Feat into Perspective

To put it simply, an albatross is astonishingly rare - far rarer than the coveted hole-in-one. While the odds vary, it's estimated that a hole-in-one for an average amateur is around 12,500 to 1. The odds of an albatross skyrocket to somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 million to 1.

Think about what has to happen. You have to execute two perfect shots back-to-back. First, a long and accurate drive that puts you in an ideal position to reach the green in two on a par 5. Second, you have to hit a fairway wood, hybrid, or long iron from over 200 yards away and have it find the bottom of the cup. It’s the combination of immense power and absurd precision that makes it so legendary.

These shots are mythical even at the professional level. Gene Sarazen's albatross on the 15th at Augusta National in 1935 is known as "the shot heard 'round the world" and helped him win The Masters. More recently, spectators at the 2012 Masters witnessed Louis Oosthuizen's incredible 4-iron from 253 yards find the cup for an albatross on the second hole. These moments are etched into a course's history and a player's legacy.

A Coach’s Guide: Your Strategic Blueprint for an Albatross

Okay, so it’s nearly impossible. But "nearly" isn't a word that should stop a determined golfer. While you can’t plan for the shot to go in, you absolutely can plan to give yourself the chance. Accomplishing this starts with building the right skills and developing a smart, aggressive mindset. Here is a step-by-step guide to developing an "albatross-ready" game.

Step 1: Build Real Power and Control with Your Driver

The first shot on a Par 5 sets the tone for everything. An albatross opportunity doesn’t just start with a long drive, it starts with a strategically placed long drive. Your goal isn’t just distance, it’s finding the perfect spot in the fairway that gives you the best angle of attack for your second shot.

• Focus on Rotational Power: Real power doesn't come from your arms. As a coach, I see so many players try to muscle the ball by swinging their arms harder. The foundation of a powerful swing is rotation. It’s a rounded action where the club moves around you, powered by the turn of your hips and shoulders. As you turn your torso back and then unwind through the ball, you transfer speed and energy to the clubhead effortlessly. This is how smaller players can generate surprising power - they use their body as the engine.
• Center-Face Contact is King: Swing speed means nothing if you don't hit the sweet spot. Hitting the center of the clubface maximizes ball speed and minimizes spin, giving you both distance and control. Practice with impact tape or foot spray to see where you're making contact. Finding the center consistently is far more valuable than adding 3 mph of swing speed.
• Know Your 'Go-To' Tee Shot: Can you hit a reliable baby draw? Is a straight shot or a fade your strong suit? Don't try to be every player. Develop one dependable, powerful shot shape off the tee that you can count on when you need to find the fairway.

Step 2: Master Your Fairway Woods and Long Irons

This is the hero shot. You're likely 200+ yards out, and you need to not only hit the green but hole the shot. Solid, clean contact is non-negotiable.

Keys to Hitting a Fairway Wood Off the Deck:

• The Right Setup: Position the ball slightly forward of the center of your stance, a few inches inside your lead heel. Get into an athletic posture, leaning forward from your hips with your arms hanging naturally. This stable base is what allows you to rotate smoothly without losing balance.
• Don't Try to Lift the Ball: This is the biggest mistake I see. The club has loft built in to get the ball airborne. Your job is not to help it up. Instead, think about making a sweeping motion. The goal is to clip the ball cleanly off the turf, taking little to no divot, or a very shallow one just after the ball. Trust the club's design to do the lifting for you.
• Quiet the Lower Body & Rotate Through: A fairway wood requires a stable base. As you start your downswing, the movement is a turn, an unwinding of the body towards the target. You're not sliding or lunging. The feeling is one of turning through the shot and extending your arms towards the target after impact, keeping the rotation going all the way to a balanced finish.

Step 3: Develop Aggressive but Smart Course Management

This is where separates hopeful shots from calculated risks. You need to know when to even attempt going for a Par 5 in two.

• Identify Your Par 5 Opportunities: Before your round, or when you get to the tee, size up the Par 5s. Which ones are reachable for you? A friendly Par 5 might be shorter, play downwind, or have a wide-open entrance to the green. A dangerous one might have water guarding the front, heavy bunkering, or be a dogleg that complicates the second shot.
• Analyze Your Lie: Your decision to go for it can change instantly based on your lie. A perfect fairway lie is a green light. A fluffy lie in the first cut of rough might be fine. But a ball sitting down in deep rough or on an awkward upslope? The hero shot is likely off the table. Pride can cost you strokes, the smart play is to punch out and salvage the par or birdie with a good wedge shot.
• Consider the Percentages: If out of 10 attempts, you feel you could hit the green once and get into serious trouble the other nine times, that’s not a good risk. But if you think you could find the putting surface 4 to 5 times out of 10, the reward might be worth it. Part of playing smarter is knowing yourself and being honest about your abilities from that distance.

Putting it all together, the chase for an albatross is a two-shot sequence. It begins with a drive that is both long and tactical, finding that A-plus position in the fairway. From there, it's about committing 100% to your second shot. You pick your club with confidence, visualize the ball flying toward your target, and make a free, unrestrained swing. You can’t control luck, but you can control your preparation, your strategy, and your commitment to the swing.

Final Thoughts

Shooting a "triple birdie" or albatross is a pinnacle moment in a golfer's life, a perfect blend of power, precision, and good fortune on a Par 5. While the odds are long, understanding the components - a potent drive, a purely struck long-approach, and sharp course management - transforms an impossible fantasy into a tangible, long-term goal you can genuinely work towards.

Perfecting the kind of course management needed for these high-stakes shots is where modern tools can be incredibly helpful. When you’re standing over that second shot on a Par 5 debating what to do, this is a moment where removing doubt is so valuable. I've found an AI-powered tool like Caddie AI simplifies this big decision. I can use the tool to analyze the hole, account for my specific lie by taking a picture, and it will give me a clear, strategic recommendation on whether going for the green or laying up is the smarter play, helping me commit to my decision with confidence.