Wondering “What is an eagle in golf ” — In golfing, an eagle is a score where a player takes two strokes below the par on one specific hole. Simply, when a par 5 hole is played with three strokes, it results in an eagle.
The importance of eagle in golf comes from the fact that an eagle helps reduce a player’s score by two strokes than par. Eagles can be achieved on reachable par-5 holes, as well as playing par-4 hole in 2 strokes and a hole-in-one par-3.
What is an Eagle in Golf: Quick Answer
| Golf term | Score relative to par | Example on a par 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Bogey | 1 over par | 6 |
| Par | Even | 5 |
| Birdie | 1 under par | 4 |
| Eagle | 2 under par | 3 |
| Albatross | 3 under par | 2 |
| Condor | 4 under par | 1 |
An eagle will always be recorded as -2 in the player’s score on the particular hole. The eagle will be one step higher than a birdie and one step lower than the albatross or the double eagle.
What is an Eagle in Golf?
Each hole in golf scoring is allocated with a par value. This is the expected amount of shots for a hole by a good golfer.
An eagle occurs when a golfer scores the hole two shots under par.
For instance:
- A par 5 hole has a normal par score of five.
- If the golfer completes the hole in three shots, he is two shots under par.
- Therefore, a score of three in a par 5 hole is an eagle.
This is applied to just one hole and not a full round of golf. If your score is 70 for a par-72 golf course, it means you have scored two under par for the entire round. However, scoring two under par does not mean that you have recorded an eagle.
Eagle Scores by Hole Type
| Hole par | Eagle score | What it usually looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Par 3 | 1 | A hole-in-one, also called an ace |
| Par 4 | 2 | Driving close to the green and holing the next shot, or holing out from the fairway |
| Par 5 | 3 | Reaching the green in two shots and making a one-putt |
| Par 6 | 4 | Finishing in four strokes; par-6 holes are uncommon |
The most frequent eagle score is 3 on a par 5. An effective golfer may have a great drive, get to the green on the second stroke, and score an eagle with just one putt.
2 on a par 4 is a much less frequent result. In many cases, it requires hitting the green on the first stroke on a short par 4 and sinking the putt or sinking the approach shot on the second stroke from the fairway.
Hole-in-one on a par 3 counts as two under par, and thus, it is an eagle, too. However, in ordinary conversation, it is normally referred to as a hole-in-one or an ace and not an eagle.
Eagle Examples
Example 1: Eagle on a Par 5
You play a par-5 hole:
- You place your drive in the fairway.
- You get to the green with your second shot.
- You make the putt.
Your result is 3 on a par 5, or an eagle.
Example 2: Eagle on a Par 4
You play a par-4 hole:
- You tee off close to the green.
- You make your second stroke into the hole.
Your result is 2 on a par 4, or an eagle.
Example 3: Eagle on a Par 3
- You hit the hole on your tee shot on a par 3.
Your result is 1 on a par 3, two under par. It is technically an eagle, although normally called a hole-in-one.
Why Is It Called an Eagle?
The term “eagle” was introduced in the golf lexicon after the term “birdie” gained its popularity in the US.
“Birdie” means one under par, and the eagle—the famous national symbol—came into use as a bigger bird to describe a better result: two under par.
Further development of bird-based golf terminology results in:
- Birdie: one under par
- Eagle: two under par
- Albatross: three under par
- Condor: four under par
The exact history of golf terms’ formation may vary, yet “eagle” firmly established itself in the American version of the game as the term for two-under-par result on a hole.
How Rare Is an Eagle in Golf?
The eagle is rare for all levels of players. Eagles are more common for professional golfers due to their ability to hit the ball far enough, accurately, to play well close to the hole and also make putts.
It is unlikely that recreational golfers will get an eagle during each game, maybe for one season or even throughout their whole career. One does not need to be a pro golfer to get an eagle, but it usually takes some great shots and sometimes luck.
Eagles are hard to achieve since they usually require:
- Two strong shots on a par 5 and a made putt.
- Hole the approach shot on a par 4.
- Drive the ball on the green or at least close to it and make the one putt on the short par 4.
- Make a hole-in-one on a par 3.
Even if a player hits the par 5 in two shots, he needs a good putt to make an eagle. This is why many golfers are as excited about making eagles as about hole-in-ones.
Eagle vs. Birdie vs. Albatross
| Score | Meaning | Example on a par 5 | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birdie | 1 under par | 4 | Achievable for many golfers |
| Eagle | 2 under par | 3 | Rare and memorable |
| Albatross | 3 under par | 2 | Extremely rare |
| Condor | 4 under par | 1 | Exceptionally rare |
Birdie is an excellent result. An eagle is a great result on the course. The albatross is very rare; it normally appears if the golfer holes out the second shot on a par 5.
Examples:
- Four on par 5 is a birdie.
- Three on par 5 is an eagle.
- Two on par 5 is an albatross.
How Is an Eagle Recorded on a Score Card?
On a conventional paper score card, it is common to mark golfers with circles all scores that are better than par:
- Birdie – one circle around the score.
- Eagle – two circles around the score.
- Albatross – three circles around the score.
For instance, if your score is 3 on a par 5, you may write “3” on the card and make two circles around it, to indicate that it was an eagle.
The digital score cards and golf apps will have other ways of marking the eagle; they might use colors, icons, symbols or “-2”.
How Is an Eagle Reflected in the Score?
The eagle reduces the score by two shots against par.
Assume you play a par-72 course, and make an eagle on one par-5 hole. If you manage par scores on all other holes, you will finish with:
- 72 – 2 = 70
That is, you will shoot 70 or two under par for the round.
Your final score will depend on how you will perform on the rest of holes. An eagle may be canceled by bogies or even double bogies, but it will significantly improve your score.
Example Scorecard Impact
| Hole | Par | Your score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | Par |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | Eagle |
| 3 | 3 | 4 | Bogey |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | Par |
Across these four holes, you are:
0 - 2 + 1 + 0 = -1So you are one under par after four holes.
How to Make an Eagle
There are no guaranteed techniques to make an eagle in golf; however, you can increase your chances to achieve such results by doing everything right and wisely during the game.
Identify Reachable Par 5s
Eagles occur in most cases on par 5s. Find holes where your solid drive and using a fairway wood, a hybrid or a long iron can bring you to the green in two shots.
Never attempt a dangerous second shot if you see some water, trees or a bunker around the green. The eagle chance is great, however, the bogey from such trouble can ruin all your efforts very quickly.
Improve Your Driving Distance and Accuracy
Distance plays an important role when you play par 5s, however, accuracy is equally significant here. It is much better to have a nice drive which will allow you to get a good angle for your second shot.
Concentrate on your technique and proper balance, and do not try to swing as hard as possible on every hole.
Develop Your Long-Approach Skills
Many chances to make an eagle are related to the possibility to reach a par 5 in two shots. Practice your fairway woods, hybrids and long irons and be sure that you are able to make advances confidently from 180 to 250 yards, depending on your skills.
Know When to Lay Up
It is not the best decision to try to reach any par 5 in two shots. There are many cases where it would be much safer to lay up the ball to your favorite wedge distance and get a chance to make a birdie.
The good golf game requires from you making the right decision, rather than being aggressive all the time.
Practice Your Short Putts
Even if you make two great shots on a par 5 hole, you still need to make a putt. Sometimes it is a 5- or 8-feet putt which will bring you either eagle or birdie.
If you practice pressure-style short putts, you will convert more scoring chances.
Play the Right Tees
If all your par 5s are unreachable for you in two shots, you do not have any chances to make an eagle. Playing from the tees that correspond to your distance increases your chances significantly.
You need to choose the right tees according to your driving distance and your skill level.
Can You Make an Eagle on a Par 3?
Yes. Hole-in-one on a par 3 hole is an eagle since it is two strokes below the par.
However, such result is always called a hole-in-one or an ace, and “eagle” is the name used mostly for 3 on a par 5 or 2 on a par 4.
Can You Make an Eagle on a Par 4?
Yes. A score of 2 on a par 4 is an eagle.
It is possible in two scenarios:
- You drive the ball on or near the green and take your second shot.
- You manage to hit the ball into the hole with your second shot.
A par-4 eagle is very uncommon as most golfers are unable to reach a par-4 hole from the tee, and even those few who can are unable to make a putt.
Can You Make an Eagle on a Par 5?
Yes, it is possible to score an eagle on a par-5 hole. When you score 3 strokes to complete the hole, you have an eagle.
A typical par-5 eagle will involve the following:
- Drive the ball into the fairway.
- Hit the second shot to the green.
- Make a putt.
A golfer might also score an eagle by driving the ball into the green and then managing a hole-in-one on the second shot without making a putt.
Does an Eagle Count in Match Play?
Yes, when playing match play, an eagle is just your score on that particular hole. It may be instrumental in helping you win that hole, but the score does not get transferred as in the case of stroke play.
For instance, when playing match play, an eagle means that if you score 3 on a par-5 hole, while your opponent scores 4, you win the hole, thereby increasing your match score by one hole. For example, your match score goes from all square to 1 up.
If you were playing stroke play, scoring an eagle means that you scored 2 less shots than the par for the hole.
Does an Eagle Count for Handicap?
Yes, an eagle is used to calculate your gross score and score differential just as any other hole score, with the exception of some handicapping maximum score restrictions.
Simply put, it means that the actual score you posted gets used to calculate your handicap. Scoring 3 on a par-5 hole means that 3 is written down as your score on that hole.
Handicap-wise, there may be certain formats and rules regarding score posting. If you are not sure, please contact your club, golf federation, or handicap organization in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions: Eagle in Golf
What is an eagle in golf?
An eagle in golf is a score of two strokes under par on one hole. Examples include scoring 3 on a par 5, 2 on a par 4, or 1 on a par 3.
Is an eagle better than a birdie?
Yes. A birdie is one under par, while an eagle is two under par. An eagle is one stroke better than a birdie.
Is a hole-in-one an eagle?
A hole-in-one on a par 3 is technically an eagle because it is two under par. However, golfers usually call it a hole-in-one or an ace.
What is an eagle on a par 5?
An eagle on a par 5 means scoring 3. Most commonly, a golfer reaches the green in two strokes and makes the putt.
What is an eagle on a par 4?
An eagle on a par 4 means scoring 2. This usually happens when a golfer holes an approach shot or drives near the green and makes the next shot.
Is an eagle rare in golf?
Yes. Eagles are uncommon, particularly for amateur golfers. They usually require a combination of strong shots, accurate distance control, and a successful putt or hole-out.
What is better than an eagle in golf?
An albatross is better than an eagle. An albatross is three strokes under par on a single hole, such as scoring 2 on a par 5.
Why is it called an eagle in golf?
The term came after “birdie” became popular in American golf. An eagle is a larger and more impressive bird, so it became the name for a score that is two under par.
How do you mark an eagle on a scorecard?
Traditionally, golfers draw two circles around the score to show an eagle. For example, a 3 on a par 5 would be marked with two circles around the number 3.
Final Thoughts
An eagle in golf means scoring two under par on a single hole. The most common example is making a 3 on a par 5, though a 2 on a par 4 and a hole-in-one on a par 3 also count as eagles.
For most golfers, an eagle is a rare and memorable achievement. It takes a combination of smart strategy, strong ball striking, solid distance control, and a little composure when the scoring chance arrives.
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