Golf scoring terms explained: Why birdie, eagle, albatross & bogey are all used

In golf, the term ‘par’ is pivotal to how we understand the sport.

It refers to how a player’s score is measured on each hole and across their round.

There are three different levels of par for golf holes – the shortest holes are usually par threes, mid-length holes are typically par fours, and the longest holes are par fives.

A highly skilled golfer, who plays off a scratch (0.0) handicap, should be capable of achieving an average of par on a golf course, meaning they should usually be able to complete a par three in three shots, a par four in four shots, and so on.

But the golfer’s dream is never par – the aim is to beat par.

A birdie is achieved when a player completes a hole in one shot under par.

For instance, taking just three shots to finish a par four would mean the golfer scores a birdie.

An eagle is when a player completes a hole in two shots below (or under) par – making a three on a par five, for example.

An albatross, where a player completes a hole in three shots under par, is not often achieved. This can only take place on par four or par five holes.

There is also a term for the extremely unusual instance in which a player scores four shots under par on a single hole. This is a condor. Given that would involve a hole in one (also known as an ace) on a par five, very few cases of this have ever been recorded because reaching the putting surface in one shot is not usually achievable.

When a player completes a hole in one over par, such as when taking four shots to complete a par three, it is known as a bogey.

Two over par is known as a double bogey and three over is called a triple bogey. Quadruple and quintuple bogeys (and so on, numerically) exist too, and can be fairly common at amateur level.

Any professional golfer posting such a score would have done something awfully wrong.