What Is a Double Eagle in Golf? Scoring Explained

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Quick Answer

• A double eagle in golf, also known as an albatross, is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole.
• This exceptionally rare achievement typically occurs on par-5 holes where a player holes out their second shot.
• It is significantly rarer than a hole-in-one or an eagle, making it one of golf’s most coveted feats.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who are looking to deepen their understanding of scoring beyond the typical birdie and par.
• Players interested in the statistical rarities and exceptional achievements that define professional golf.
• Casual fans who want to grasp the significance of remarkable plays they might see on TV or hear about from friends.

What to Check First

• Understand ‘Par’: Know what par means for each hole on the course. This is the baseline score against which all others are measured. Par is the number of strokes a proficient golfer is expected to need to complete a hole.
• Relative Scoring is Key: Grasp that terms like eagle and double eagle are defined by how many strokes you are under par, not just the raw number of strokes taken.
• Identify Hole Type: Recognize that double eagles are almost exclusively found on par-5 holes, and occasionally on par-4 holes. They simply don’t happen on par-3s.
• Stroke Count Matters: Verify the number of strokes taken. For a double eagle on a par-5, it means holing out in just two strokes. On a par-4, it means holing out in a single stroke (a hole-in-one on a par-4).

Step-by-Step Plan for Understanding Double Eagle Scoring

• Action: Define ‘par’ for a golf hole.
• What to look for: The standard number of strokes expected for a skilled golfer to complete a hole, indicated on the scorecard as par-3, par-4, or par-5. This number is determined by the hole’s length and difficulty.
• Mistake to avoid: Confusing par with the actual number of strokes you or any player took. Par is the target, not the result.
• Action: Understand the score of an eagle.
• What to look for: A score that is two strokes under par on a single hole. This typically means taking two strokes on a par-4 or three strokes on a par-5. It’s a great score, but not the ultimate prize.
• Mistake to avoid: Mistaking an eagle for a birdie (one stroke under par). An eagle is a significant achievement, but a double eagle is in a league of its own.
• Action: Define a double eagle (albatross).
• What to look for: A score that is three strokes under par on a single hole. This is the goal we’re discussing.
• Mistake to avoid: Thinking a double eagle is just two strokes under par. That’s an eagle, remember? Keep your scoring terms straight; it’s crucial for understanding the game’s nuances.
• Action: Identify the most common scenario for a double eagle.
• What to look for: Holing out your second shot on a par-5 hole. This results in a score of 2 (5 – 3 = 2). This is the classic double eagle.
• Mistake to avoid: Expecting to see a double eagle on a par-3. These holes are too short for a three-under-par score; a hole-in-one on a par-3 is an eagle, not a double eagle.
• Action: Recognize the extremely rare par-4 double eagle.
• What to look for: Holing out your tee shot (the first shot) on a par-4 hole. This means a score of 1 (4 – 3 = 1). This is an albatross achieved via a hole-in-one on a par-4.
• Mistake to avoid: Overestimating the frequency of this happening. It’s exceptionally rare, far more so than the par-5 variety. It’s the kind of thing that makes headlines when it occurs in professional golf.
• Action: Consider the implications of a double eagle on your scorecard.
• What to look for: A score of ‘2’ on a par-5 hole or a ‘1’ on a par-4 hole. This significantly lowers your overall score for the round.
• Mistake to avoid: Not properly recording or understanding the impact of such a rare score. It’s a game-changer for your handicap and overall standing.

What is a Double Eagle in Golf? Scoring Explained

When you’re out on the links, whether you’re playing a casual round with friends or watching the pros battle it out, you’ll hear a lot of terms thrown around. Pars, birdies, bogeys – they’re all part of the everyday golf lexicon. But then there are the legendary scores, the ones that make announcers jump out of their chairs and golf fans around the world gasp in awe. One of the most talked-about, and most elusive, of these is the double eagle [1].

The Rare Double Eagle in Golf: Understanding the Score

So, what is a double eagle in golf? At its core, it’s a score that’s almost mythical in its rarity. Officially, it’s called an albatross, and it means you’ve completed a single hole in three strokes under par [3]. Let’s break that down. Par is the benchmark score for each hole, usually a 3, 4, or 5. If you play a hole in three strokes less than its par, you’ve achieved an albatross.

The most common way this happens is on a par-5 hole. These are typically the longest holes on the course. For a player to get a double eagle on a par-5, they need to hit their tee shot, and then hole out their second shot. That’s a total of two strokes. Since the par is 5, a score of 2 is indeed three strokes under par (5 – 2 = 3) [2]. It requires incredible power off the tee and an exceptionally accurate, often long, second shot that finds the bottom of the cup. I’ve only seen one in person, and it was on TV, but man, what a moment.

While much rarer, it’s also technically possible to score a double eagle on a par-4. This would require holing out your tee shot – a hole-in-one on a par-4. This is an almost unfathomably difficult feat, far more challenging and less frequent than sinking a second shot on a par-5 [4]. A hole-in-one on a par-3, by the way, is an eagle (two under par), not a double eagle. The distinction is crucial for understanding what is a double eagle in golf and its place in the scoring hierarchy. The double eagle is significantly rarer than even a standard hole-in-one on a par-3, making it one of the most celebrated achievements in the sport [5].

Common Mistakes in Understanding Double Eagle Scoring

• Mistake: Thinking a double eagle is just two strokes under par.
• Why it matters: This is the definition of an eagle. Misidentifying it means you’re missing the magnitude of the achievement. It’s like calling a home run a single.
• Fix: Always remember: double eagle = three strokes under par. Eagle = two strokes under par. Birdie = one stroke under par. Keep those straight.
• Mistake: Believing a double eagle is common or happens with any regularity.
• Why it matters: This leads to unrealistic expectations or misinterpretations of game events. You might see a great shot and mistakenly think it’s a double eagle, diminishing the true rarity when it actually occurs.
• Fix: Understand its extreme rarity. It’s a statistical anomaly that happens perhaps a few times a year on professional tours worldwide. For the average golfer, it’s likely a once-in-a-lifetime event, if ever.
• Mistake: Confusing it with a hole-in-one.
• Why it matters: A hole-in-one is a score of one stroke on any par hole. A double eagle is a score relative to par. A hole-in-one on a par-3 is an eagle (2 under par), not a double eagle (3 under par). A hole-in-one on a par-4 is a double eagle.
• Fix: Differentiate based on the score relative to par and the number of strokes taken. Always consider the par of the hole.
• Mistake: Not knowing the typical hole type where a double eagle occurs.
• Why it matters: You might be watching or playing and not recognize the conditions under which this score is possible, missing the significance of the moment.
• Fix: Know that double eagles are almost exclusively found on par-5s (holing out the second shot) or the incredibly rare par-4 (holing out the tee shot). They simply do not occur on par-3 holes.
• Mistake: Assuming a double eagle is the same as an albatross.
• Why it matters: This isn’t really a mistake in understanding the score, but a terminology point. Some golfers might not know they are the same.
• Fix: Understand that “albatross” is the official and more common term for a double eagle in many parts of the world, especially outside North America. They are one and the same score.

FAQ

• What is the official term for a double eagle?

The official and more widely used term is an albatross.

• How many strokes under par is a double eagle?

A double eagle is three strokes under par on a single hole.

• On which type of hole is a double eagle most likely to occur?

It is most likely to occur on a par-5 hole, achieved by holing out the second shot.

• Is a double eagle rarer than a hole-in-one?

Yes, a double eagle is significantly rarer than a standard hole-in-one on a par-3 [5]. While a hole-in-one on a par-4 is also a double eagle, it’s an exceptionally rare event in itself.

• Can you get a double eagle on a par-4 hole?

Yes, you can get a double eagle on a par-4, but it requires holing out your tee shot. This is an extraordinarily rare feat, often referred to as a “condor” by some, though albatross is still the official score designation.

• What score would a double eagle be on a par-5 hole?

On a par-5 hole, a double eagle would be a score of 2.

• What score would a double eagle be on a par-4 hole?

On a par-4 hole, a double eagle would be a score of 1, which is also a hole-in-one.

Sources

• [1] Understanding Golf Scores: What Is a Double Eagle? (https://golfhubz.com/understanding-golf-scores-what-is-a-double-eagle/)
• [2] The Rare Double Eagle in Golf: Understanding the Score (https://golfhubz.com/the-rare-double-eagle-in-golf-understanding-the-score/)
• [3] What is a Double Eagle in Golf? (https://golfhubz.com/what-is-a-double-eagle-in-golf/)
• [4] The Double Eagle in Golf: A Rare and Exciting Score (https://golfhubz.com/the-double-eagle-in-golf-a-rare-and-exciting-score/)
• [5] Understanding the Double Eagle in Golf (https://golfhubz.com/understanding-the-double-eagle-in-golf/)