A triple eagle is a score of four-under par on a single hole, a feat so rare it has been officially verified only a handful of times in the history of golf. Also known as a condor, this score is the single rarest shot in the sport, making the hole-in-one seem commonplace by comparison. This article will break down exactly what a triple eagle is, why it's the Mount Everest of golf achievements, the specific conditions required to make one, and how the pursuit of this impossible shot can actually make you a better, smarter golfer.
In golf, scoring terms for under-par performance are all named after birds. A birdie is one-under par. An eagle is two-under par. An albatross (or double eagle) is three-under par. Following that pattern, a triple eagle, also called a condor, is a staggering four-under par on one hole. The name "condor" is preferred in many golfing circles because it continues the theme of progressively larger and rarer birds for a better-than-eagle score.
To put that into numbers, here’s how you could achieve a condor:
Just reading that list tells you how incredible this score is. Professionals on tour dream of making an albatross (a hole-in-one on a par-4 or a 2 on a par-5), which happens maybe a few times a year across all professional tours worldwide. By contrast, a condor has never been recorded in a professional tournament. It exists purely in the realm of incredible skill, unique course design, and a massive dose of once-in-a-lifetime luck.
Thinking about the odds is mind-boggling. The National Hole-in-One Registry quotes the odds of an average golfer making an ace at 12,500 to 1. The odds of a professional making one are closer to 2,500 to 1. The odds of making an albatross (a double eagle) are estimated to be as high as 6 million to 1.
What about a condor? There are no official odds calculated because it happens so infrequently that there isn't enough data. It's an outlier of all outliers. To date, there have been only a handful of verified amateur condors in the history of golf, each one becoming a piece of golfing folklore.
Achieving a feat this absurd means the stories are equally extraordinary. Here are a couple of the most well-documented instances:
These stories have one thing in common: a par-5 with a sharp dogleg design and/or immense elevation changes, allowing a player with exceptional power and the right conditions to take an unconventional, high-risk, high-reward direct line to the green.
A condor doesn’t just happen. It’s the product of a perfect storm of factors, a rare alignment of player skill, course architecture, and cooperative weather. Let's break down the ingredients for the most plausible condor scenario: a hole-in-one on a par-5.
The hole must be designed in a very specific way. A straight, 550-yard par-5 makes a condor virtually impossible, as not even the longest hitters can carry a drive that far. The opportunity arises on a sharply-bending dogleg hole.
Imagine a par-5 that goes straight for 300 yards and then takes a 90-degree turn for another 200 yards. The straight-line distance from the tee to the green might "only" be 350-400 yards. This creates an opportunity for a hugely gutsy player to "cut the corner" by flying their drive over trees, water, or other hazards, landing it directly near - or on - the green.
Gravity is your best friend when chasing a condor. A significantly elevated tee box gives the ball more hang time and allows it to travel farther.
The ground also needs to be cooperative. Firm, fast fairways and greens are essential. A perfect drive could land on a downslope that acts like a ski ramp, propelling the ball forward and allowing it to run out for an extra hundred yards or more.
You'll need a powerful tailwind at your back, and we're not talking about a gentle breeze. A sustained wind of 20-30 mph can add 30, 40, or even 50 yards to a drive. Combine a powerful gust with thin air (like in Denver) and you start to see how these legendary distances become achievable.
Of course, none of this matters without a player capable of producing incredible ball speed and launch conditions. But power alone isn’t enough. You need the complete, almost reckless, confidence to attempt a shot with a microscopic chance of success and an enormous probability of ending up out-of-bounds. It's a true "zero or hero" play.
And let's be honest: after meeting all these requirements, it still comes down to luck. The ball must thread the needle over the trees, catch the perfect bounce, hold its line, and have just the right speed to fall into the cup. It’s a golf miracle.
Should you go out tomorrow and try to cut the corner on every par-5? Absolutely not. You'll likely lose a dozen balls and shoot your worst score of the year. However, the principles behind achieving the impossible can be applied to your game in practical ways. Thinking like a "condor hunter" can sharpen your course management and develop your skills.
The first step in any aggressive play is knowing what you're capable of. A condor requires maximum distance, and every golfer wants more of that.
The best golfers are masters of calculating risk. The condor is an extreme example, but you face dozens of smaller risk/reward decisions every round. The next time you face a tough shot, think like this:
If the risk is low (a fairway bunker) and the reward is high (a shot at the green in two), it might be worth the gamble. If the risk is high (out-of-bounds) and the reward is minimal, the smart play is to choose the safer route.
Whether it’s smashing a driver over trees or hitting a long fairway wood onto a par-5 green, these aggressive plays require total commitment. You can't make a tentative swing when victory is on the line. Spend time on the driving range specifically practicing with the clubs that feel intimidating.
Hit ten 3-woods in a row. Practice your driver trying to hit different shapes - a high draw around a corner or a lower "stinger" shot. Build a relationship with these clubs so that when the opportunity arises on the course, your mind thinks "I can do this" instead of "I hope I don't mess this up."
The triple eagle, or condor, represents the absolute pinnacle of scoring in golf - an almost mythical feat where everything aligns perfectly for one incredible moment. It’s a beautiful reminder of the possibility and an enduring part of the game's rich history, proving that on any given day, on any given hole, something truly incredible can happen.
While chasing a condor isn't a realistic day-to-day goal, the strategy behind it is. Making smarter decisions on the course, like knowing when to take a risk and when to play it safe, is where you'll see the biggest improvements in your score. For those tricky situations where you're standing over a ball and unsure of the smart play, We built Caddie AI. You can snap a photo of your lie, describe the shot you're facing, and our AI will offer a strategic recommendation in seconds, helping you turn those potential blow-up holes into confident, well-played ones.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
