What Is an Albatross in Golf?

Scoring 3-under-par on a single hole by holing out your second shot on a par-5 is one of golf's rarest and most electrifying moments: the albatross. This isn't just a great shot, it's a legendary one that places you in an elite club of golfers. This article will break down exactly what an albatross is, just how rare this stunning achievement is, some of the most famous examples from golf history, and the on-course strategy that can give you a fighting chance to make one yourself.

What Exactly Is an Albatross?

An albatross is the official term for scoring 3-under-par on a single hole. You might also hear it called a "double eagle," especially in the United States, and both terms mean the exact same thing. It’s an incredible feat of power and precision that requires two perfect shots in a row.

To understand its place in golf's scoring lexicon, let's look at the "bird-themed" naming convention for making scores under par:

• Birdie: One-under par (-1) on a hole
• Eagle: Two-under par (-2) on a hole
• Albatross: Three-under par (-3) on a hole

So, how does an albatross happen? There are two main scenarios:

1. Making a 2 on a Par-5: This is the most common way to achieve an albatross. It involves hitting a great drive, followed by a long second shot (usually with a fairway wood or hybrid) that finds its way directly into the cup.
2. Making a Hole-in-One on a Par-4: This is an even rarer event. It requires a Herculean tee shot on a short, "drivable" par-4 that not only lands on the green but also rolls into the hole.

While an eagle is something many dedicated golfers can achieve with a bit of skill and a good day, the albatross is a different beast entirely. It sits just one step below the "condor," or a 4-under-par score (a hole-in-one on a par-5), which is widely considered the rarest shot in all of golf.

How Rare Is the Albatross in Golf?

To put it simply, the albatross is astronomically rare. We've all daydreamed about making a hole-in-one, an achievement that already carries incredible odds. For the average amateur golfer, the chances of making an ace are estimated to be around 12,500 to 1.

The albatross makes those odds look like a sure thing.

While exact figures are hard to pin down, golf experts often place the odds of an amateur golfer making an albatross somewhere between 1 million to 1 and 6 million to 1. Think about that for a moment. You are orders of magnitude more likely to make a hole-in-one than an albatross.

Why is it so much harder? A hole-in-one, while difficult, typically happens on a par-3. You get to tee your ball up, you're using a controlled iron shot, and the target is (relatively) close. For an albatross on a par-5, you need to execute a second shot with a much less forgiving club - a 3-wood, 5-wood, or long hybrid - from 200-250+ yards away, often from an imperfect lie in the fairway. The margin for error is razor-thin, and you need a massive stroke of luck for the ball to find the bottom of the cup.

Even on the PGA Tour, where the world's best players are attempting to reach par-5s in two every week, the albatross remains a true spectacle. In the entire history of the four men's major championships, there have only been 18 officially recorded albatrosses. It’s so rare that when it happens during a televised event, it becomes the highlight of the entire tournament.

Famous Albatrosses in Golf History

Some of the most iconic moments in golf are tied to this incredible shot. These albatrosses weren't just spectacular, they were seismic events that changed the course of major championships.

Gene Sarazen: "The Shot Heard 'Round the World"

No discussion of albatrosses is complete without mentioning the one that put the term on the map. In the final round of the 1935 Masters, Gene Sarazen stood in the 15th fairway at Augusta National, trailing by three strokes. He pulled his 4-wood from 235 yards away and hit a towering shot that tracked perfectly toward the flag. It landed on the front of the green, bounced a couple of times, and rolled right into the hole for an albatross 2.

The monumental shot erased his deficit in an instant, and he went on to win the tournament in a playoff the next day. This albatross didn't just win him a major, it helped cement the Masters' status as one of golf's premier events. It remains arguably the most famous single golf shot ever hit.

Louis Oosthuizen: The First Albatross on Augusta's 2nd Hole

For 77 years, no one had recorded an albatross on Augusta National's par-5 2nd hole. That changed during the final round of the 2012 Masters. Louis Oosthuizen striped a 4-iron from 253 yards. The ball landed perfectly on the front of the green and began its long, winding journey down the massive slope, feeding directly toward the pin. The crowd's roar grew louder and louder as the ball tracked, culminating in an explosion of sound as it dropped into the cup.

It was the first-ever albatross on that specific hole and the first to be broadcast on live television during the Masters, creating an unforgettable moment for millions watching at home.

Jeff Maggert: A Disappearing Act at the 1994 Masters

While not changing the outcome of the tournament, Jeff Maggert's albatross at the 1994 Masters is iconic for a different reason. He holed a 3-iron from 222 yards on the 13th hole. The shot he hit was absolutely perfect, landing on the green and funneling straight into the hole. Watching the replay is pure joy, as the commentators and crowd saw one incredible shot that single-handedly put him into contention on a Sunday at Augusta.

The "Strategy" for Chasing an Albatross

Okay, let's be real. You can't plan for an albatross. It's a shot that requires a healthy dose of serendipity. However, you absolutely can implement a strategy that puts you in a position to have a realistic look at an eagle, and from there… well, you let luck take over. As a coach, I always tell players to focus on the process, not the miracle.

Step 1: The Tee Shot is Everything on a Par-5

Your hopes for an eagle or albatross begin and end with your drive. The goal isn't just to bomb it as far as you can, it’s to hit it long and, more importantly, in the fairway. Hitting a fairway wood or hybrid accurately from thick rough is nearly impossible. A clean lie is non-negotiable.

Before you even step on the tee, analyze the hole. Where is the trouble? Is there a bunker guarding one side of the landing area? Is one side of the fairway better for the approach shot? Position your drive to give yourself the best possible angle to attack the green in two.

Step 2: Know Your "Go For It" Distance

This is where honesty is essential. You need to know your real, on-course carry distance for your fairway woods and hybrids, not the one-in-a-hundred-shot you pured on the range once. If you have 240 yards to the green but you know your 3-wood only carries 225 yards consistently, laying up might be the smarter play, especially if there's a water hazard in front.

Assess the risk-reward. If there's wide open space around the green, a miss might not be penal. But if the green is protected by deep bunkers, water, or out-of-bounds, the hero shot might not be worth the risk of a double bogey or worse. Great course management is about knowing when to attack and when to play safe.

Step 3: Executing the "Hero" Second Shot

So, you’ve smashed a drive down the middle and you’re within range. Now comes the moment of truth. Picking the right club is your first priority. Next, and this is the most important part from a coaching perspective, focus on a smooth tempo. The biggest mistake amateur golfers make is trying to generate extra power by swinging out of their shoes. A rushed, violent swing almost always leads to a mishit.

Trust your club to do the work. Focus on a pure, center-face strike. Instead of aiming for the flagstick, pick a larger, safer target - like the middle of the green. Your goal is to get the ball on the putting surface and give yourself a chance. If you pull it off perfectly and the ball just happens to go in, that's the magic of golf.

What Do You Do If You Make an Albatross?

First, take a solid 30 seconds to process the shock! The feeling will be a mix of elation, disbelief, and pure adrenaline. Once you've picked your jaw up off the floor and accepted a round of high-fives from your playing partners, here’s the most important tradition:

You go buy the drinks at the clubhouse!

It’s the same tradition as a hole-in-one, but the accomplishment is far greater. Embrace it! You've just achieved something most golfers will only ever dream of. Make sure to have your partners sign the scorecard and take a photo as proof. You've earned the bragging rights, so enjoy every moment of it.

Final Thoughts

An albatross, or double eagle, is a score of 3-under-par on a single hole, representing one of the rarest feats in sports. It requires a perfect drive on a par-5, a flawless long-approach shot that finds the cup, and a huge stroke of good fortune that places it among golf's most celebrated achievements.

Deciding when to take the risk and go for a par-5 in two is a test of course management. For those tough decisions on the course, we designed Caddie AI to be your personal strategist. Instead of just guessing, you can get instant advice on how to play the hole, helping you make smarter, more confident choices when the pressure is on and avoid the kind of mistakes that can derail your round.