What Is the Rarest Score in Golf?

The rarest score in golf is the condor, a staggering four-under par on a single hole. This is the stuff of legend - getting a 1 on a par 5, an achievement so unlikely that most golfers have never even heard of it. This article breaks down the condor, the albatross, and the hole-in-one, showing you exactly what these incredible scores are, just how rare they are, and the mix of skill and luck required to pull one off.

The Condor: Golf's Holy Grail

A "condor" represents a score of four strokes under par on an individual hole. It's the only score named after a bird larger than the albatross, signifying its supreme rarity. There are only two ways a golfer can make a condor:

• A hole-in-one on a par 5.
• A 2 on a par 6.

Since par-6 holes are themselves incredibly unusual, the condor is almost exclusively discussed in the context of an ace on a par-5. To put this in perspective, there have only been a handful of verified condors in the entire history of golf. It’s a feat that has never been accomplished in a professional tournament.

How is a Hole-in-One on a Par 5 Even Possible?

A hole-in-one on a par 5 requires a perfect storm of conditions that simply don't exist on 99.99% of golf courses. The hole would need:

• A Severe Dogleg Shape: The hole would have to bend so dramatically that a direct line from the tee to the green cuts off a huge amount of the hole's official measured distance.
• A Massive Elevation Drop: The tee box would need to be towering high above the green, allowing the ball to stay in the air for an extended period and carry over obstacles like trees or water.
• Favorable Conditions: Think brick-hard fairways for maximum bounce and roll and a strong tailwind pushing the ball forward.

One of the most famous verified condors was made in 1995 by a golfer named Mike Crean. He aced the 517-yard, dogleg 9th hole at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver. His drive flew a tremendous distance, landed perfectly, and rolled its way into the cup. It’s less of a golf shot and more of a physics miracle. For this reason, the condor remains more of a mythical achievement than a practical goal. Its odds are incalculable, but they dwarf even those of the already rare albatross.

Next in Line: The Albatross or Double Eagle

If the condor is a myth, the albatross, also known as a double eagle in the United States, is a bona fide legend. An albatross is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It's achieved by either:

• Making a 2 on a par 5.
• Making a hole-in-one on a par 4.

While still astronomically rare, the albatross happens far more frequently than the condor. Yet, data suggests it is about 2.5 times rarer than being struck by lightning. Estimates on the odds range from 1 million-to-1 to 6 million-to-1.

The Anatomy of an Albatross

The "classic" albatross is holing out for a 2 on a par 5. Unlike a hole-in-one on a shorter par 3, which is often a bit lucky, an albatross is widely considered a greater feat of pure skill. It requires two nearly perfect, powerful, and precise shots in a row.

1. The Drive: The first shot must be a long and accurate drive that puts the golfer in an ideal position to reach the green in two.
2. The Approach: The second shot is typically a long iron or fairway wood from 200+ yards away that has to be struck perfectly, with the right shape and trajectory, to find the bottom of the cup.

The most famous albatross in history is Gene Sarazen's "shot heard 'round the world" at the 1935 Masters. On the 15th hole, a par 5, Sarazen holed a 4-wood from 235 yards for a score of 2, which ultimately propelled him to win the tournament. He needed two flawless shots, and he delivered on golf’s biggest stage.

A hole-in-one on a par 4 is also an albatross, but it’s less common. It can only happen on short, "drivable" par 4s where long hitters can take a direct shot at the green from the tee. It’s an act of brilliant aggression that, when it pays off, becomes an instant personal highlight for life.

The Shot Every Golfer Dreams Of: The Hole-in-in-one

The hole-in-one, or "ace," is the rare score that every amateur golfer dreams of making. While it's not as scarce as an albatross or condor, its odds are still long - approximately 12,500 to 1 for an amateur golfer. An ace is a score of 1 on a hole, which is almost exclusively made on par 3s.

The thrill of watching a perfectly struck iron shot land on the green, track toward the cup, and disappear is unmatched. It's followed by a rush of disbelief and exhilaration, and traditionally, the custom of buying a round of drinks for everyone in the clubhouse. While luck plays a huge role in a ball's final few feet of travel, you can absolutely take steps to improve your chances.

Can You Actually Improve Your Chances of an Ace?

Yes. An ace may be lucky, but you have to hit a great shot just to be in the running. Putting yourself in a position to get lucky is all about consistency, and consistency is built on a solid foundation.

1. Build a Consistent Swing Foundaion

First and foremost, you need a comfortable, repeatable golf swing. Remember, the golf swing is a rotational action that moves around the body in a circle-like manner. We're creating power from the turn of our hips and shoulders, not by trying to power the swing with just our arms. As you take the club back, you are rotating your body, on the downswing, you are simply unwinding that rotation through the ball. By focusing on this rotational movement, you can build a more consistent swing with better clubface control, which is essential for accuracy.

2. Master Your Setup

Consistency starts before you even move the club. Your setup is where you build the conditions for a good shot. Take a stance that is about shoulder-width apart to provide a stable base for your rotation. Bend from your hips, allowing your arms to hang naturally and relaxed beneath your shoulders. A solid, athletic setup that you can repeat every time is one of the most important things for hitting consistent iron shots close to the pin.

3. Know Your Yardages

You can't hole a shot if it lands 20 yards short of the green. Having a precise understanding of how far you actually hit each of your clubs is fundamental. Don't rely on guesswork. Spend time at the range with a launch monitor or use a GPS device on the course to learn your true carry distances. Choosing the right club is half the battle on any par 3.

4. Use the Green's Contours

Don’t just aim directly at the flagstick every time. Pay attention to the slopes on the green. Sometimes, the smart play is to aim 10 feet to the left or right of the pin and let a "sideboard" or natural slope feed the ball toward the hole. Understanding course management turns a pure game of chance into a game of calculated strategy.

Putting It All in Perspective: A Rarity Ranking

Golf's rarest scores are a testament to the challenge and beauty of the game. Here's a simple breakdown from most to least rare:

• The Condor (4-under): Mythical. So rare it's barely a part of the golf conversation. The odds are astronomically high, likely in the tens of millions-to-one or greater.
• The Albatross (3-under): Legendary. Many tour professionals will play their entire careers without making one. Its rarity is a hallmark of its difficulty, often cited with odds of 6 million-to-1.
• The Hole-in-One (on a Par 3): A momentous achievement. Attainable but still very special. At 12,500-to-1 odds, it’s a career highlight for anyone lucky enough to have one.

Final Thoughts

From the almost impossible condor to the more achievable (but still thrilling) hole-in-one, the rarest scores in golf combine incredible skill with a once-in-a-lifetime dose of good fortune. They remind us that on any given day, an incredible, unforgettable shot is just one swing away.

While we can't guarantee you a hole-in-one, we build tools focused on helping you make better decisions and build the consistency that gets you closer to the hole more often. With Caddie AI, you can get data-driven recommendations on club selection and a smart strategic plan for every hole, turning guesswork into confidence. Instead of just hoping for a miracle swing, you can play smarter shots and avoid the big mistakes, giving you more opportunities to score and, just maybe, make that shot of a lifetime.