Albatross, Hole-in-One and Condor
Also known as: albatross in golf, double eagle, hole in one, ace in golf, condor in golf, three under par on a hole
An albatross, also called a double eagle, is three under par on one hole. That means a 2 on a par 5 or a hole-in-one on a par 4. A hole-in-one, or ace, is holing your tee shot, most often on a par 3, where it counts as an eagle. A condor is four under par on a hole and is extremely rare.
Golf names scores against par after birds. A birdie is one under, an eagle two under and an albatross three under. Double eagle is the more common name in the US. An albatross usually comes from holing a long second shot on a par 5. It can also be an ace on a short par 4.
A hole-in-one is any tee shot that finishes in the hole. On a par 3 it scores 1, two under par, and counts as an eagle. On a par 4 it is an albatross. A ball resting against the flagstick counts as holed if any part of it is below the surface of the green (Rule 13.2c). A ball hanging on the lip gets a reasonable time to reach the hole plus ten seconds to drop. If it falls after that, it counts as holed with a penalty stroke added (Rule 13.3a).
A condor is four under par on a single hole. It needs a hole-in-one on a par 5 or a 2 on a par 6. It is so rare that most golfers never see one. In many clubs the tradition is that the player who makes an ace buys a round of drinks.
Tips by skill level
Remember the ladder: birdie is one under, eagle two under, albatross three under and condor four under.
If a tee shot stops against the flagstick, remove the flagstick carefully. The ball counts as holed if any part of it is below the surface of the green.
Example
On a 520-yard par 5, a golfer hits a long drive, then holes a 3-wood from 230 yards. He scores 2 for an albatross.
Why it matters
These are golf's rarest scores. Knowing the names helps you follow scoring on TV and at your club.
Common mistakes
- Calling an ace on a par 3 an albatross, when it is an eagle
- Thinking an albatross must be a hole-in-one
- Picking up a ball hanging on the lip before the waiting time is up
- Confusing a condor with an albatross
Frequently asked questions
What is an albatross in golf?
Three strokes under par on a hole, also called a double eagle. That means a 2 on a par 5 or a hole-in-one on a par 4.
Is a hole in one an eagle?
On a par 3, yes. An ace on a par 3 is two under par, an eagle. On a par 4 it is an albatross.
What is a condor in golf?
Four under par on a single hole, such as a hole-in-one on a par 5. It is the rarest named score in golf.
Sources
Related terms
- Birdie and Eagle ExplainedA birdie is one stroke under par on a hole, and an eagle is two strokes under par. Both are celebrated results that most golfers, even good ones, make only sometimes.
- Understanding ParPar is the number of strokes an accomplished golfer is expected to need to complete a hole, including two putts. Most holes are par 3, 4, or 5, based primarily on the hole's length.
- Double Bogey and Blow-Up HolesA double bogey is two strokes over par on a hole. A "blow-up hole" is the casual term for any hole that goes much worse than that. Limiting them is usually a beginner's single biggest lever for a lower score.
- Keeping Score in Golf (Scorecard)Count every stroke on each hole, including penalty strokes, and write the total in that hole's box. In a stroke-play competition your marker records your scores, and both of you certify the card before you return it. Returning a hole score lower than you took means disqualification, and a higher one stands.
- Stableford ScoringStableford scoring awards points based on how a hole score compares to par (or net par) rather than counting total strokes. This softens the impact of a single disaster hole and keeps a bad hole from ruining an entire round's result.
Related guides & benchmarks
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