What Is a Turkey in Golf?

Scoring three birdies in a row is known as a turkey, a term that marks a special moment of high-level play in any golfer's round. It’s a rewarding feeling when your focus and skill align perfectly for a a sustained period of excellence. This guide will walk you through exactly what a turkey is, the fun story of where the name comes from, and most importantly, provide a coach’s perspective on the practical steps you can take to make this impressive feat a part of your game.

So, What Exactly is a Turkey in Golf?

In golf, a turkey is the slang term for making three consecutive birdies during a single round. A birdie, as you probably know, is a score of one shot under par on an individual hole. Getting one birdie feels great. Getting three of them back-to-back-to-back is a sign that your game has reached an exceptional level of consistency and control.

Let's paint a picture:

• You step up to the 5th hole, a par-4, and stick your approach shot to 8 feet. You calmly roll in the putt for a birdie. One down.
• On the 6th, a long par-3, you hit a beautiful high tee shot that lands softly on the green, leaving you a 15-footer. You drain it. That's two in a row.
• Now, on the 7th tee, a reachable par-5, you can feel the pressure and excitement building. You crush your drive, hit a solid second shot just short of the green, chip it close, and tap in for your third straight birdie.

Congratulations. You just bagged a turkey. It’s a significant achievement because it doesn’t happen by accident. It requires you to link together three holes of nearly flawless golf, combining excellent ball-striking with sharp putting under mounting pressure.

A Fun Bit of Trivia: Where the Term "Turkey" Comes From

Interestingly, the term “turkey” didn't originate on the golf course. It was borrowed from the world of bowling! In the late 1800s and early 1900s, bowling alleys would often run promotions, especially around the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, to attract players. One of the most common prizes for bowling three consecutive strikes - a difficult accomplishment - was an actual frozen turkey.

Bowlers who rolled three strikes in a row were said to have "won the turkey," and the term simply stuck. Over time, "turkey" became the universally accepted name for three consecutive strikes. Like many colorful sports expressions, the term migrated over to other athletic pursuits. Golfers, known for their unique lingo (think eagles, bogeys, and albatrosses), adopted the term to describe their own version of a noteworthy triplet: three birdies in a row. It’s a fun nod to history and a perfect way to describe a scoring streak that’s something to feast on.

The "Birdie" Hierarchy: Streaks and Standalone Scores

To fully appreciate what a turkey is accomplishment-wise, it helps to place it within the context of other scoring achievements in golf. While you have your single-hole scores, streaks introduce a whole new level of nomenclature and bragging rights.

Single-Hole Scores

First, a quick refresher on the scores relative to par on a single hole:

• Albatross (or Double Eagle): A score of three strokes under par (-3). For example, a 2 on a Par 5. Incredibly rare.
• Eagle: A score of two strokes under par (-2). Usually, a 3 on a Par 5 or a hole-in-one on a Par 3.
• Birdie: A score of one stroke under par (-1).
• Par: A score equal to the designated par for the hole.
• Bogey: A score of one stroke over par (+1).

Birdie Streaks: Going Beyond One

This is where it gets fun. When you start stringing birdies together, new terms emerge. Here’s how the unofficial hierarchy generally works:

• 2 Birdies in a Row: Sometimes called a "brace of birdies" or simply "back-to-back birdies." There's no widely adopted, single term for two in a row like there is for three.
• 3 Birdies in a Row: The Turkey. This is the most well-known term for a birdie streak and a milestone every serious golfer aims for.
• 4 Birdies in a Row: Ham-Bone or Gobbler. Now we’re getting into less-common territory. The term "ham-bone" was made famous by TV commentator and actor Rob Riggle. Some traditionalists might call it a "gobbler" (as in, a big turkey), but neither is as firmly established as "turkey."
• 5+ Birdies in a Row: At this point, the names become much more informal and are largely up to the imagination of your foursome. You might hear creative names thrown around in locker rooms, but there is no universal term once you get past four. This is the stratosphere of amateur golf, and just achieving it is more important than what it's called!

Why a Turkey is the Mark of an Accomplished Golfer

Making a single birdie can sometimes feel like a stroke of good fortune - a perfectly struck iron shot, a long putt that happens to find the cup. But making three in a row pushes past the realm of luck and firmly into the territory of skill. It’s a testament that your entire game is firing on all cylinders.

Think about what has to go right across three consecutive holes:

1. Consistent Ball-Striking: You have to put yourself in a position to make birdie on three different hole layouts. This might mean a great drive on a par-5, a precise iron on a par-3, and a well-placed approach shot on a par-4. A turkey proves you can do it all, back-to-back.
2. Pressure Putting: Holing a birdie putt is one thing. Doing it after you've already made one takes nerve. Doing it to complete the turkey, when you know exactly what is on the line, requires a calm mind and a steady stroke.
3. Mental Endurance: Perhaps the most difficult part is managing your own emotions. It's so easy to get ahead of yourself. After the first birdie, you start thinking about the second. After the second, the thought of "I can get a turkey!" can derail the whole operation. A golfer who makes a turkey has demonstrated the mental discipline to stay in the present moment and execute one shot at a time.

For these reasons, a turkey is a true badge of honor. It shows you didn’t just have a lucky moment - you created a period of sustained excellence.

A Coach's Game Plan for Bagging Your First TUrkey

Alright, enough theory. Let’s talk about how you can actually go out and get one for yourself. As a coach, I see golfers get close all the time, only to be let down by poor strategy or a case of the nerves. Here is a practical, step-by-step game plan you can use.

Step 1: Identify "Birdie Holes" Before Your Round

Don't just walk to the first tee and hope for the best. Be a strategist. Before you even tee off, look at the scorecard and identify 3-5 holes that are your best opportunities for a birdie. These are your "green light" holes.

• Are there any short par-4s where you can hit less than driver and leave yourself a full wedge in?
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• Is there a par-5 you can comfortably reach in two, or at least leave a simple chip for your third?
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• Is there a par-3 that plays perfectly to distance of one of your favorite clubs?

Circling these holes mentally helps you build a proactive plan. It prepares you to be aggressive in the right moments. The goal is to set up a situation where you might find two or three of these birdie holes in a row.

Step 2: Master the Art of the "Mental Reset"

Momentum is real, but it can work against you if you let your mind wander. The key to stringing good shots together is to treat every shot as an independent event.

• After birdie #1: Enjoy it for the walk to the next tee, then leave it behind. Your new goal is simple: hit a good tee shot on this hole. Go through your complete pre-shot routine. Focus entirely on the target in front of you, not the birdie on the last scorecard.
• After birdie #2: This is where the mental battle truly begins. Your brain will start screaming, "Don't mess this up!" Your job is to quiet that voice. Acknowledge the opportunity, then refocus on the process. Take a few deep breaths. Walk through your routine with extra care. Your only job is to commit to the target and make a good swing. You aren't "trying to get a turkey." You are "trying to stripe this 7-iron."

Step 3: Play to Your Strengths, Not Your Ego

On a potential birdie hole, especially the third one, it's tempting to try for the "hero shot." A smarter approach is to play the percentages and maximize your chances.

For example, you're on a par-5 and a birdie would complete the turkey. You have 240 yards to a green guarded by water. The hero shot is to go for it with your 3-wood. However, your comfortable layup distance is 100 yards. The smart play is to hit an iron to that 100-yard mark, leaving you with your favorite wedge in hand. This gives you a much higher probability of hitting a great third shot and setting up a makeable birdie putt, instead of bringing double-bogey into play by going for the green.

Step 4: Practice Your "Birdie Zone" Putts

Most birdie opportunities fall within the 5-to-15-foot range. This is the "birdie zone." To convert more of these, you need to practice them with intent. Here’s a great drill:

1. Place three balls in a circle around the cup at 5 feet.
2. Place three more in a circle at 8 feet.
3. Place one final ball at 12 feet.

Your goal is to make at least five of these seven putts before you can leave the green. This drill simulates pressure by giving you a clear objective and forces you to focus on each putt. Standing over that final 12-footer to "win" the drill feels a lot like standing over a real putt for a turkey.

Final Thoughts

A turkey in golf - three consecutive birdies - is a fantastic accomplishment that showcases skill, consistency, and mental fortitude. It’s more than just a slang term, it represents a hot streak where your entire game comes together perfectly over a three-hole stretch, and it's something every golfer should aspire to achieve.

As you work on stringing those great holes together, having a smart game plan is essential. We designed Caddie AI to act as that expert strategist in your pocket. Having guidance on which club to hit or the best way to play a tricky approach shot helps you make smarter decisions, giving you more opportunities to post that first or next turkey on your scorecard.