What Is Before an Eagle in Golf?

In golf, the score that comes directly before an eagle is a birdie. Making an eagle means you’ve finished a hole in two strokes under par, while a birdie is one stroke under par, making it the more common and highly celebrated achievement for most golfers. This article will not only give you the simple answer but will also break down the entire scoring system in golf, explaining how birdies and eagles are made and providing practical tips to help you start scoring them yourself.

The Official Scoring Ladder in Golf

Golf scoring can seem confusing with its unique set of names, but it’s all based on a simple concept: par. Every score is just a comparison to the par of that specific hole. Understanding this hierarchy is the first step to shooting lower scores.

Here’s a quick-_ glance at the common scoring terms, starting from the best possible outcome:

• Albatross (or Double Eagle): 3 strokes under par (-3)
• Eagle: 2 strokes under par (-2)
• Birdie: 1 stroke under par (-1)
• Par: Even with the par score (E)
• Bogey: 1 stroke over par (+1)
• Double Bogey: 2 strokes over par (+2)
• Triple Bogey: 3 strokes over par (+3)

As you can see, a birdie is the excellent score you achieve right before you get to the even rarer air of an eagle. While club golfers might celebrate a handful of pars in a round, a birdie is a moment of pure triumph. An eagle is something you might remember for years.

First, You Need to Understand Par

Before we can talk about shooting under par, we have to be crystal clear on what “par” actually means. Par is the predetermined number of strokes a highly skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. It's the standard, the benchmark you measure yourself against on every single tee box.

The par for a hole is based on its length and the number of shots it should take to reach the green, plus two putts. This is a fundamental concept often glossed over, but it’s the blueprint for how to play the game strategically.

How Par is Calculated for Different Holes:

• Pa_r 3s: These are the shortest holes. The expectation is your tee shot will land on the green (1 stroke), and you’ll need two putts to get the ball in the hole (2 strokes). Total = 3 strokes.
• Pa_r 4s: These are the middle-length holes. You’re expected to hit a tee shot into the fairway (1 stroke), an approach shot onto the green (2 strokes), and then take two putts (2 strokes). Total = 4 strokes.
• Pa_r 5s: These are the longest holes. The standard player is expected to hit a tee shot (1 stroke), a second "layup" shot to get closer to the green (2 strokes), a third shot onto the green (3 strokes), and finally, two putts (2 strokes). Total = 5 strokes.

Comprehending this structure is everything. It shows you the most common path to making par. To score better than par, you have to break this expected pattern by eliminating a stroke somewhere along the way.

The Anatomy of a Birdie: How to Make One

Making a birdie (-1) means you completed the hole in one fewer stroke than the par suggested. This is the goal for any player looking to lower their handicap. Let’s look at the most common ways to card a birdie on each type of hole.

Making Birdie on a Par 3

A birdie on a par 3 means scoring a 2. Since the expectation is one shot to the green and two putts, your path to a birdie is clear: hit an excellent tee shot and make one putt.

• Step 1: The Tee Shot. This is everything on a par 3. Your goal isn’t just to hit the green, it’s to hit it close enough to the pin to give yourself a realistic one-putt chance. This requires well-dialed-in iron play and understanding your yardages.
• Step 2: The Putt. Once you're on the green, you need to sink the putt. Most birdie putts are made from inside 15 feet, so focusing on this distance in your practice can pay big dividends.

Making Birdie on a Par 4

A birdie on a par 4 means getting the ball in the cup in 3 strokes. This is much tougher because it requires two great full shots leading up to the putt.

• Step 1: The Drive. A good drive that finds the fairway is essential. Playing your approach shot from the short grass massively increases your chances of hitting the green in regulation.
• Step 2: The Approach. This is the money shot. From the fairway, you need to hit a precise iron or wedge shot that lands on the green and stops relatively close to the hole.
• Step 3: The Putt. Just like the par 3, you have to convert the opportunity. Read the green, trust your stroke, and sink the putt for a 3.

Another, more thrilling (and less common) way to birdie a par 4 is to chip in from off the green for your third shot!

Making Birdie on a Par 5

A birdie on a par 5, which means scoring a 4, is widely considered the most attainable birdie for the average golfer. Par 5s are longer, but they also give you an "extra" shot to work with.

• Step 1: The Drive. A solid tee shot that sets you up in a good position is your first priority. It doesn't have to be perfect, just in play.
• Step 2: The Second Shot. Here you have a choice. Big hitters might try to reach the green in two. For most golfers, this shot is about positioning - laying up to a favorite yardage (like 100 yards) for your third shot.
• Step 3: The Pitch/Chip. This is often the most important shot. You’ve laid up to your perfect distance, now you need to execute a quality wedge shot that leaves you with a short birdie putt.
• Step 4: The Putt. Knock it in for a well-earned 4. This “three shots to the green, one putt” strategy is a repeatable recipe for making birdies on par 5s.

Taking the Next Step: How to Make an Eagle

If a birdie is the beautiful stepping stone, the eagle (-2) is the majestic leap. Making an eagle requires you to beat the par of a hole by two full strokes. It demands a combination of power, precision, and sometimes, a little bit of good luck.

The Eagle on a Par 4

Making a 2 on a par 4 is an electrifying moment. It happens in one primary way: holing out your approach shot.

Imagine hitting a great drive right down the middle of the fairway. You walk up to your ball, see you have 140 yards to the pin, pull your 8-iron, and flush it. The ball flies directly toward the flag, takes one bounce, and disappears into the hole. That’s an eagle! It's an exceptionally rare and unforgettable experience.

The Eagle on a Par 5

This is where eagles are most commonly found. Scoring a 3 on a par 5 is a much more realistic, though still very challenging, goal for club golfers. It unfolds like this:

1. A Monster Drive. It all starts with the tee shot. You need a long and accurate drive that puts "going for the green in two" into consideration. It needs to be much better than just a "good" drive.
2. A Heroic Second Shot. From the fairway, you have to hit a fantastic long iron, hybrid, or fairway wood that not only travels the remaining distance but also lands on the green. This shot demands immense skill.
3. The Eagle Putt. Now you're on the green with a putt for eagle! Whether it's 5 feet or 50 feet, you have to sink it to card that incredible score of 3. Two-putting from here is still a fantastic result - it’s a simple tap-in birdie.

And what about an eagle on a par 3? That requires scoring a 1. It has its own special name: a hole-in-one!

Actionable Tips to Hunt for Birdies and Eagles

Knowing how_ a birdie or eagle is possible is one thing. Doing it is something else entirely. Here is some friendly coaching advice to put you on the right path.

1. Prioritize Fairways Over Raw Distance

It’s tempting to try and blast the ball as far as you can, bu_t you can't hit good approach shots from behind a tree. Smart course management means choosing a tee shot strategy that reliably finds the fairway. A 260-yard drive in the short grass is infinitely better than a 280-yard drive in the deep rough. Give yourself a chance by playing from the fairway.

2. Become the Master of Your "Money" Distance

Most birdie opportunities are set up by your approach shots. Don't just practice hitting balls aimlessly. Practice with a purpose. Figure out your exact yardages for every iron and wedge in your bag. Find your "money" distance - that 75, 100, or 125-yard shot you feel most confident with - and lay up to that number on par 5s whenever you can.

3. Your Short Game is Your Scoring Engine

The fastest way to lower your scores isn’t by hitting your driver 10 yards farther. It’s by sharpening your game from 50 yards and in. An excellent short game turns a missed green on a par 5 into a simple up-and-down for birdie. It turns a potential bogey into a saved par. Spend a significant portion of your practice time on chipping, pitching, and bunker play. It will pay off.

4. Develop Unshakable Putting Confidence

Ultimately, most birdies and eagles are made with the putter. Those moments when you’re standing over a 10-foot putt for a score under par can be nerve-wracking. The key is to have a simple, repeatable routine. Practice your stroke until it feels automatic, work on reading greens, and most importantly, learn to trust yourself. Step up to every putt believing you can make it.

Final Thoughts

So, what's before an eagle? A birdie. But as you now know, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Understanding the entire scoring structure, from bogeys to albatrosses, is all tied to the fundamental concept of par. Making those dream scores of birdie and eagle comes down to executing a specific sequence of great shots, born from a combination of smart strategy and skilled execution.

Applying this knowledge on the course, especially under pressure, is where the real challenge lies. On every shot, you’re making decisions that will either open up or shut down these scoring opportunities. We designed Caddie AI to act as your on-demand golf expert, helping you make those smarter decisions right when you need them. Whether it’s giving you a simple, effective strategy on the tee box or analyzing a tricky lie in the rough from a photo, our caddie guidance helps you avoid mistakes and put yourself in the best position to succeed, turning tough pars into legitimate birdie chances.