Have you ever been on a golf course and heard people screaming ‘Eagle!’?
You may have been wondering what the fuss is all about. An eagle in golf is a score that rarely happens or is seen.
Golf has its scoring mechanism with certain terms and acronyms like par, birdie, bogey, and eagle. The term Par is the expected number of strokes that have to be made to complete a hole.
A birdie is a term that means you scored one stroke under par, and this is considered good. But an eagle? That means you made 2 under par for that hole! It’s an amazing accomplishment that a golfer would have in his/her career.
If you are new to golf, you will ask yourself, why is an eagle such a big deal? In this piece, I shall discuss everything you must know about the eagle and why it is so unique.
What is An Eagle in Golf?
An eagle means the player has taken two shots less than what is considered typical on the particular hole.
Let’s suppose that you’re playing in a par 4 hole, Par is the number of attempts any professional golfer should take to get the hole. However, if you place the ball into the hole with only two shots, that is an eagle.
Pretty incredible, right?
Birdies are a normal occurrence for good players. But eagles are significantly rarer and happen only when everything goes well in two or three strokes. It is among the most joyous events one can experience during a round of golf.
Which of the scores makes an Eagle?
An eagle is one of the most challenging scores a golfer can achieve during a round. This all depends on the par rating of the particular hole the player takes on during the game.
On a par 3 hole, the only way to make an eagle is by scoring a hole-in-one. That means the golfer’s tee shot went directly into the cup in one perfect stroke! This is very hard to achieve, but they may have ‘eagled’ that par 3 if they do.
Most often, one gets an eagle on the par 5 hole. Par 5s are longer holes that take a professional player 5 shots to complete. However, if everything is arranged, tee shot, approach shot, and putt, then a golfer can get it in 3 strokes.
The hardest eagle is the most common on the par 4 hole. These are the medium-length holes classified with a par of 4 strokes.
How many strokes do you need to Score An Eagle?
Scoring an eagle typically involves taking 2 strokes under par for a given hole. The most common scenarios are:
- 1 stroke on a par 3
- 2 strokes on a par 4
- 3 strokes on a par 5
That is what makes the eagle get that super low score compared to Par on any hole, that is what one considers as a rare and exciting incident in the game of golf. It is a score that all players look forward to each time they begin a round of golfing.
How to Score An Eagle?
While scoring an eagle requires luck and shots aligned perfectly, certain strategies can increase your chances of achieving:
Eagles are usually achieved when people do not rush things and remain calm. When a simple play is expected, but the player attempts a heroic shot, this happens mostly. Keep your eyes on the ball and avoid deviating from your strategy by making unadvised moves.
Take Advantage of Scoring Clubs
On longer shots to the green, plot out an attack with one of your scoring clubs, such as a 7 or 8 iron. These are clubs with higher loft, which ensures a higher probability of hitting the green and getting a good opportunity for an eagle than hitting long irons or woods during the approach.
Develop Elite Lag Putting
One way to avoid this situation is to lag long putts close to the hole to improve the chances of getting an eagle. Make lag putts of 40-60 feet to pick up the ball within a distance, making it easier to complete the eagle.
Play to Your Strengths
Whether a professional or an amateur possesses certain clubs, they consider themselves to be most confident with certain shot shapes they prefer.
For example, fading the ball may make better angles into greens for you. Consider how to deploy your strengths to look for the eagle opportunities.
Course Management is Key
Good strategies like not getting into trouble off the tee place you in a good stand to go for pins and shoot eagles. Understand the course map and decide to play safe, thinking golf when possible.
It has to be mentioned that skill development and practice cannot guarantee better scores. It can increase the chance of getting more eagles in the subsequent rounds.
However, the act of converting is what sets an eagle apart, even if the best artists prepare it.
What is Double Eagle in Golf?
A double eagle also called an “Albatross,” refers to a very special event where a golfer gets at least 3 shots below par on a particular hole.
It means getting a two on a par 5, or more commonly, a two on a par 4. Double eagles are the biggest scoring goals that a golfer aspires to accomplish.
Origin of The Word Eagle in Golf?
The term ‘eagle’ was used in the early 1900s as American golfers sought to expand the use of bird terms for under-par scores.
Subsequently, 1-under-par was called “birdie,” and the term “eagle” for 2-under-par came naturally as the next progression in the birds of prey sizes.
What is The Difference Between Net and Gross Eagle in Golf?
There are 2 types of the eagle in golf, each with its own characteristics. Here it is!
1. Net Eagle
A net eagle is a shot taken two strokes below the hole’s par, and a golfer’s handicap has been considered. It is well-deserved for a player of that caliber.
2. Gross Eagle
A gross eagle is a two-under-par score, which does not involve any handicap. This is a more impressive feat as it shows the player’s actual performance in that particular hole, disregarding the average score.
Golf Scoring Terms Like Eagle
Various terms are used in golf to depict scoring. Here are they!
Par: Par refers to how many strokes an experienced golfer should be expected to complete a hole-in.
| Up to 225 yards | Par 3 |
| 225 to 425 yards | Par 4 |
| 426 to 600 yards | Par 5 |
| Over 601 yards | Par 6 |
- Birdie: Birdie refers to a golf shot that is one stroke less than the par on a hole.
- Bogey: A bogey is one stroke more than the par of a particular hole.
- Double Bogey: A double bogey scores two strokes over the par for that particular hole.
- Triple Bogey: A triple bogey score is three strokes over the par on a hole.
- Condor: A condor is also called a double albatross or a triple eagle. It is a score of 4 strokes under par on a hole.
- Albatross: An albatross is a score of three strokes below the par of the hole and is also called a double eagle.
- Ostrich: An ostrich is a score of 5 strokes under par on a hole, which rarely happens.
- Turkey: A turkey is a colloquial word used to describe three consecutive birdies in one round.
Check Out: What is Ace in Golf? A Complete Guide!
How Many Strokes Result in Golf Scoring Terms?
To fully understand golf scoring, knowing the stroke counts behind common terms like par, birdie, and eagle is crucial.
Par 5 Hole
- Par: 5 strokes
- Birdie: 4 strokes
- Eagle: 3 strokes
- Albatross/Double Eagle: 2 strokes
- Condor/Triple Eagle: 1 stroke
Par 4 Hole
- Par: 4 strokes
- Birdie: 3 strokes
- Eagle: 2 strokes
- Albatross/Double Eagle: 1 stroke
Par 3 Hole
- Par: 3 strokes
- Birdie: 2 strokes
- Eagle: 1 stroke
FAQs
Is Eagle better than par?
Yes, an eagle is better than par.
Par denotes an ideal score that an experienced golfer should achieve. Conversely, an eagle means the golfer has finished the hole two strokes below the par.
What is a turkey in golf?
The turkey is used in golf, whereby a player makes three consecutive birdies in a round.
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