What Is Higher Than an Eagle in Golf?

You’ve seen a player card an eagle on TV - a thrilling moment that always gets a roar from the crowd. But is there anything better? The answer is a definitive yes. The two scores higher than an eagle in golf are an albatross and the almost-mythical condor. This article won’t just define these incredible shots, it will break down exactly how they happen, how impossibly rare they are, and what you can learn from them to improve your own scoring.

Setting the Stage: A Quick Tour of Golf Scoring

Before we get to the super-rare scores, let’s quickly calibrate our understanding of how golf scoring works. Everything is measured against "par," the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take on a given hole. Every other score is just a name for how you did in relation to par.

• Bogey: One stroke over par (+1). The frustrating but all-too-common companion for most golfers.
• Par or "Even Par": Completing the hole in the expected number of strokes (0). Always a solid result.
• Birdie: One stroke under par (-1). This is the score that makes you feel great and gets you on the path to a low round.
• Eagle: Two strokes under par (-2). Usually happens by making the putt on a par-5 in just three strokes or, more rarely, by holing out your second shot on a par-4. An eagle is a massive jolt of momentum in any round.

Now that we have the foundation, let’s go beyond the eagle and into truly special territory.

The First Answer: The Awesome Albatross (or Double Eagle)

The first score that flies higher than an eagle is the albatross. Hearing announcers call this out on a broadcast is special because it happens so infrequently, even at the professional level. Many lifelong golfers will play thousands of rounds without ever witnessing one in person.

What Exactly Is an Albatross?

An albatross is when a player completes a hole in three strokes under par (-3). You’ll often hear this feat called a "double eagle," particularly in the United States. While both terms are correct, "albatross" is the more traditional name, befitting a score that is as rare and magnificent as the bird itself. It’s a shot that requires both immense skill and a healthy dose of good fortune.

How an Albatross Happens: The Two Scenarios

Unlike a birdie or even an eagle, which can be scored in a few different ways, an albatross can only happen in two specific and spectacular scenarios.

Scenario 1: Two Strokes on a Par-5

This is the "classic" albatross. Think about the layout of a typical par-5. The design expects you to take one stroke to drive the ball, a second stroke to position it for a short approach, and a third to land it on the green before two-putting for par. To card an albatross, you have to throw that script out the window.

The sequence is incredible:

1. You hit a gigantic drive that puts you in an aggressive position, often 200+ yards from the hole.
2. For your second shot, instead of just laying up, you pull out a fairway wood or long iron and take a direct shot at the green. The shot has to be perfect - the right distance, the right ball flight, and the right line.
3. The ball lands on the green, tracks perfectly toward the hole, and drops in for a 2.

Perhaps the most famous albatross in golf history was Gene Sarazen’s "shot heard 'round the world." trailing by three shots on the 15th hole in the final round of the 1935 Masters, he holed a 4-wood from 235 yards for an albatross 2. The shot tied him for the lead and catapulted him to an eventual victory. It remains one of the greatest shots in the sport's history.

Scenario 2: A Hole-in-One on a Par-4

The second way to get an albatross is even more direct: a hole-in-one on a par-4. Many modern courses feature a "drivable" par-4, usually a dogleg or a shorter hole under 350 yards, that tempts long hitters to go for the green from the tee. To make an albatross here, a player needs to hit a perfect tee shot that finds its way into the cup. It’s the ultimate grip-it-and-rip-it success story, a pure display of power and accuracy that pays off in the most spectacular fashion possible.

Just How Rare Is an Albatross?

To put it mildly, it's incredibly rare. While reliable statistics are hard to pin down, estimates often place the odds of an amateur golfer making an albatross at somewhere around six million to one. For comparison, the odds of a hole-in-one are closer to 12,500 to one. It happens occasionally on the PGA Tour, maybe once or twice a season, and each time it’s a major highlight.

The Ultimate Answer: Golf's Rarest Score, the Condor

So, is there anything better than a -3 on a single hole? Believe it or not, yes. We now enter a realm of scoring so rare that it’s crossed over from a golf feat into a legitimate legend.

Defining the Impossible: What is a Condor?

A condor is when a player completes a hole in an astonishing four strokes under par (-4). This is golf's version of a perfect game or a single-player grand slam. It's so rare that there are only a small handful of verified instances of it ever happening in the history of the sport. Many golfers, even experienced ones, have never even heard the term.

The Only Path to a Condor: A Hole-in-One on a Par-5

Think about that for a second. A hole-in-one... on a par-5. How is that physically possible? A par-5 is, by definition, a hole that requires three shots for an expert player just to reach the green. These holes are typically well over 500 yards long.

A condor can’t happen on a straightaway hole. It requires a very specific set of circumstances and course design features:

• A "Horseshoe" or Severe Dogleg: The hole must bend so dramatically that a direct, over-the-corner shot is theoretically possible. Think of a hole that wraps around a thick patch of trees, a lake, or a canyon.
• Ideal Conditions: You'd need a perfect storm of environmental assistance. This often means playing at high altitude where the ball flies farther, with a massive tailwind behind you, and on extremely firm, baked-out ground that allows for a tremendous amount of roll.
• The Shot of a Lifetime: The player has to execute a monumental tee shot that carries the corner, lands in the perfect spot, and then rolls - sometimes for a very, very long time - all the way to the green and into the hole.

There have supposedly been about five or six verified condors ever recorded. One of the most cited examples happened in 1962, when a golfer named Larry Bruce hit a driver over a stand of pine trees on a 480-yard dogleg par-5 at Hope Country Club in Arkansas. His ball landed on the firm fairway, rolled onto the green, and into the cup. It’s a shot born from pure ambition, perfect conditions, and unbelievable luck.

What Comes After a Condor? The Theoretical Ostrich

So, does it go any deeper? The next callout in this bird-themed family is the "ostrich," a score of -5 on a single hole. To achieve this, a player would need to score a hole-in-one on a par-6. While some courses do have par-6 holes, they are typically over 700 yards long, putting them well out of reach for a single shot with current golf technology. For all practical purposes, the ostrich remains a purely theoretical score.

Bringing It Back to Your Game: Lessons from the Super Scores

Let's be honest, you're probably not going to make a condor in your next round. But the strategy behind these extraordinary scores contains valuable lessons that can help you shoot lower, whether you're chasing par, a birdie, or your very first eagle.

1. Get Confident with Your Driver

Both the albatross and the condor are built on the foundation of a great tee shot. For regular golfers, a long and accurate drive is what opens up opportunities. It turns a long iron approach into a mid-iron, or a mid-iron into a wedge. This doesn’t mean you have to swing out of your shoes on every hole, but having the confidence to hit driver well gives you a serious advantage and allows you to be more aggressive when the situation is right.

2. Practice Your "Go" Shots

A classic albatross happens when a player successfully takes on a risky approach shot with a long iron or fairway wood. How often do you practice those 200+ yard shots? Most golfers only hit them on the course, often with a low success rate. Dedicating some of your range time to practicing these "hero" shots will build your confidence for those moments on a par-5 when you have a real chance to get on or near the green in two.

3. Manage the Course with Smarter Strategy

The players who card historic scores aren't just great ball-strikers, they are brilliant strategists. They understand when the reward is worth the risk. For you, this might mean recognizing that the driver isn't always the right play on a tight hole, or knowing the precise yardage where you feel most confident with a wedge in your hand. Playing smart and putting yourself in positions to succeed is the fastest way to drop strokes off your handicap.

Final Thoughts

In the game of golf, an albatross (-3) and the mind-bogglingly rare condor (-4) are the two scores that soar higher than an eagle. These are achievements that represent a perfect blend of bold strategy, flawless execution, and a touch of magic, reminding us of the amazing possibilities that exist in this great game.

Making smarter decisions under pressure, like knowing when to go for a risky par-5 in two or how to best escape deep trouble, is a huge part of shooting lower scores. With our app, Caddie AI, you get that expert-level strategic advice right in your pocket. You can plan your way around the course with customized strategies for every hole, and even snap a photo of a tough lie to get an instant recommendation. We believe taking the guesswork out of these big moments lets you step up and swing with confidence.