Golf is full of memorable moments, yet few are as exceptional as an albatross. If you’ve ever been curious about what is an albatross in golf, this guide will explain it all, from the fundamentals of scoring to those iconic shots, so you can grasp why this accomplishment is considered one of the game’s most impressive.
The Basics of Golf Scoring
To understand what is an albatross in golf, you first need to learn some fundamental scoring terminology. Each hole on a course has a par assigned to it, essentially the number of strokes a pro golfer would be expected to use to finish. If you score par, you’ve hit the benchmark.
A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. On the other hand, an eagle is a more significant achievement: two strokes under par, accomplished on longer holes with accurate shots. The albatross, or double eagle, is the rarest of the common golf scoring terms, representing a score three strokes under par. This is often the result of a long shot that goes directly into the hole on a par-5.
This scoring terminology provides a way to measure a player’s performance, moving from good to great, and offers a standard of success that goes beyond the total number of strokes taken.
What is an Albatross in Golf?
An albatross, in the world of golf, is also called a “double eagle.” This happens when a golfer finishes a hole three strokes below par. For example, envision a hole with a par of 5. If a player gets the ball in the hole in just 2 strokes, they’ve just pulled off an albatross.
Scoring an albatross is a rare and highly considered accomplishment in golf, with odds estimated around 1 in 6 million; it is rarer than a standard hole-in-one.
How Albatross is Recorded on Scorecard?
An albatross is recorded as 3-under-par (-3) on a scorecard for the particular hole. Players often circle the score twice or draw three circles around it. It is acquired by completing a par-5 hole in two strokes or a par-4 in just one stroke.
How To Maximize Your Chances Of Hitting An Albatross?
An albatross in golf is a 3 strokes under par, which also can be achieved with a hole-in-one on a par-4, which is a rare accomplishment that requires distance, a blend of skill, precision, and a bit of fortune. While it might seem like a long shot, it cannot be ruled out.
Here are some strategies that can help golfers maximize their chances of hitting an albatross during their game.
- Drive for Distance: Given that most par-five holes are at least 450 yards long these days, a drive of 250–300 yards is often necessary to set up a good second shot.
- Know the Course: Get to know the course, especially those holes with fairways that slope downward. Pairing a swift clubhead speed with the right bounce could potentially add over fifty yards to your drive, getting you nearer to the pin.
- Consider the Weather: Windy conditions could actually be beneficial. A tailwind can give your ball a significant boost, so it’s wise to practice when the breeze is up, readying yourself for those advantageous days.
- Employ Top-Notch Gear: Select clubs and balls designed for maximum distance and precision. Focus on maximizing your movement, which will leave you with a shorter, easier approach shot to the green.
History & Origins
There is some mystery and disagreement about why a score of three under par is called an albatross. A Scottish newspaper article from 1929 used the word as if it were already known, but there don’t seem to be any widely accepted written sources that use it before that. By August 1931, press coverage had clearly shown that golfer E.E. Wooler had made an albatross, which helped make the word a part of golf vocabulary.
One common theory is that the name was chosen because the albatross bird is known for flying long distances. The albatross can fly long distances over open water and is known to follow ships for long periods of time. In golf, an albatross is also a very long and accurate shot.
We may never know where the word came from, but we do know that bird names are used more often in golf. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the word “bird” changed into golf scoring language. A birdie (1-under par) was a good score, and an eagle (2-under par) was an even better score. The birds got bigger as the scores got better. This natural progression eventually led to the word “albatross” being used to describe a score of 3-under-par.
Famous Moments in PGA Albatross History
The PGA Tour has recorded numerous outstanding albatrosses, which have become important achievements in golf history. The incredible moments attract both players and fans who witness the exceptional abilities performed at the highest level of professional golf. The PGA Tour features several prominent albatrosses, which we will examine.
Gene Sarazen – The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
The PGA Tour contains one of its most famous albatrosses through the legendary Gene Sarazen’s achievement. Sarazen made history during the 1935 Masters Tournament when he achieved the first albatross in Masters history on the par-5 15th hole, which golfers called “Firethorn.” His 4-wood approach shot from 235 yards found the bottom of the cup, propelling him to victory and forever etching his name in golf lore.
Jeff Maggert
Jeff Maggert made history on the PGA Tour with one of the most famous albatrosses ever. During the 2001 WGC-Match Play Championship, Maggert shocked fans by holing out his 218-yard approach shot for an albatross on a par-5 hole. This is a very rare feat in elite competition. It wasn’t just the score that made the moment special; it was also the timing. It happened under a lot of pressure against top-tier opponents.
Maggert was known for his smooth swing and accurate shots, and this albatross showed that reputation perfectly. It is still one of the best double eagles in the history of the PGA Tour.
Louis Oosthuizen – The Double Eagle at Augusta
The final round of the 2012 Masters Tournament saw Louis Oosthuizen demonstrate his precise golf skills by playing the par-5 2nd hole at Augusta National Golf Club. From 253 yards out, he expertly struck a 4-iron that took a favorable bounce and rolled effortlessly into the cup, stimulating spectators and earning him a coveted albatross.
How Rare is an Albatross?
The rarity of the albatross sets it apart from other scoring achievements in golf. To put it into perspective, consider the following statistics:
- Professional Golf: The odds of hitting an albatross in golf are exceedingly low. The PGA Tour estimates that players achieve an albatross with a success rate of 1 in 6000 to 1 in 20,000. The albatross exists as a rare achievement, and it requires golfers to maintain exceptional skills to accomplish it.
- Amateur Golf: Amateur golfers face even longer odds when it comes to albatrosses. A hole-in-one for an amateur happens roughly once every 12,500 attempts. An albatross, however, demands a flawless execution: a three-under-par score on a par-5 hole, with the odds of 6 million to 1. It is a rare achievement, one that most golfers probably will never experience.
Here’s a look at some of the most notable albatrosses in golf history:
- Kevin Murray: He holds the record for the cited longest record albatross in golf, a remarkable 647-yard second hole.
- Nicholas Thompson: Achieved on the 11th hole during the 2002 PGA Safeway Open.
- Xander Schauffele: Scored on the 5th hole during the final round of The American Express in 2023.
- Brendan Steele: Made the first albatross in LIV Golf history on the par-five 17th hole at Greenbrier.
Beyond Albatross
Beyond an albatross in golf, which is 3-under-par, a rare golf scoring term includes the Condor (4-under-par), which is a hole-in-one on a par-5, or a 2 on a par-6. Even rarer are the Ostrich (5-under-par) and the Phoenix (6-under-par), which are theoretically possible but virtually nonexistent in recorded professional golf.
What is a Double Albatross?
The “double albatross” is not a common golf terminology. It is an informal, seldom-used expression that sometimes describes an exceedingly rare 4-under par score on a single hole, technically called a Condor. This is achieved by scoring a 1 on a par-5 or a 2 on a par-6. This score is often confused with an albatross, which is a 3-under par, also known as a double eagle.
Double Albatross in Casual Play
A double albatross is not an official scoring term, even in casual play. Golfers sometimes use it informally to mean “four strokes under par on one hole,” which is the correct term for a condor. This can happen as a hole-in-one on a par-5 or, in very rare and mostly theoretical cases, a 2 on a par-6. People may use the phrase in conversation, but official scoring rules only call this a condor.
Conclusion
An albatross in golf is one of those moments golfers dream about but rarely see. It combines skill, confidence, and perfect timing. While most golfers may never score one, understanding its meaning and history makes the achievement even more special when it happens.
FAQs
How many strokes under par is an albatross?
An albatross is three strokes under par (-3) on a single hole. This usually happens when a golfer makes a hole-in-one on a par-4 or sinks the ball in two shots on a par-5.
Has anyone ever made an albatross on the PGA Tour?
Yes, albatrosses have been seen on the PGA Tour, but they are very rare. Many professional golfers have done it during official tournament play over the years.
Who had the best albatross?
Gene Sarazen’s 1935 Masters albatross is often thought of as the most famous one because of when it happened, how hard it was, and what it did. It helped him win the game by forcing a playoff.
Does the weather affect how likely you are to get an albatross?
Indeed, the weather factors in. Tailwinds, dry ground, and a little warmth can all contribute to longer drives, making those lengthy par-5s more accessible and nudging the odds of an albatross ever so slightly.
Has Tiger Woods ever scored an albatross?
Tiger Woods has never recorded an official albatross in his PGA Tour career, despite his 82 victories and exceptional ball-striking. His closest attempts have typically been long-range eagle putts or chips.
