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The 6 Recorded Condors in Golf History
You’ve heard of a birdie and an eagle, but have you ever wondered what lies beyond an albatross in the world of golf scoring? Many golfers search for clarity on the sport’s most elusive achievements, often finding conflicting or outdated information about the ultimate rare score. This guide will definitively answer how many condors in golf have been recorded and provide the complete, verified history of this near-mythical feat.
A condor in golf is the unofficial term for the rarest score possible: completing a single hole in four strokes under par (-4). As of 2025, there have been only six officially recorded condors in the entire history of golf.
Leveraging a comprehensive analysis of all available historical data, this guide unpacks the definitive list of every player who has achieved a condor, the unique circumstances of each shot, and the mathematical reasons why this score is golf’s holy grail. We will settle the common “five vs. six” discrepancy and provide the most accurate account available.
Key Facts
- The Definition: A condor is a score of four-under-par (-4) on a single golf hole, a feat of incredible power and accuracy.
- The Official Count: There have been exactly six verified condors recorded in golf history, a fact that clarifies common misinformation.
- Professional Rarity: A condor has never been achieved during a professional golf tournament, highlighting its extreme difficulty.
- Mathematical Possibility: This score is only possible on holes with a par of 5 or higher, requiring a hole-in-one on a par-5 or a score of 2 on a par-6.
- Most Recent Achievement: The latest condor was recorded in 2020 by Kevin Pon on a rare par-6 hole, making it the most up-to-date entry in this exclusive club.
Contents
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What Exactly Is a Condor in Golf?
A condor in golf is the unofficial term for the rarest score possible: completing a single hole in four strokes under par (-4). You’ve heard of a birdie and an eagle, but have you ever wondered what lies beyond an albatross? The condor sits at the pinnacle of golf’s avian-themed scoring names, representing an achievement so rare it borders on legendary.
To understand its significance, you first need to grasp “par.” Par is simply the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take on a given hole. The scoring hierarchy for under-par scores looks like this:
- Birdie: One stroke under par (-1)
- Eagle: Two strokes under par (-2)
- Albatross (or Double Eagle): Three strokes under par (-3)
- Condor: Four strokes under par (-4)
The name is thought to be inspired by the massive wingspan and high flight of the condor bird, symbolizing the incredible height and distance a golf ball would need to travel to make such a score possible.
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How Many Condors Have Been Recorded in Golf History?
There have been six officially recorded condors in the history of golf. While some older sources may cite five, the most recent and verified data confirms the existence of a sixth, making this the definitive number as of September 2025.
This achievement is so monumental that it stands alone as the rarest feat in the sport. A condor requires such an extraordinary combination of power, precision, and favorable conditions that it has never happened in a professional tournament. Each of the six instances occurred during casual or amateur play, adding to its mythical status.
This number solidifies the condor’s place above the albatross (or double eagle) as golf’s ultimate accomplishment. While an albatross is incredibly rare, the condor is an event that most golfers will never even hear about, let alone witness.
The 6 Players Who Achieved Golf’s Rarest Score
Only six individuals are known to have joined golf’s most exclusive club. Each story is a unique testament to a once-in-a-lifetime shot, combining incredible distance with unimaginable luck. Here are the details of every recorded condor.
1. Larry Bruce (1962)
The history of the condor begins with Larry Bruce. In 1962, he hit what is recognized as the very first condor, a monumental shot that set a precedent for rarity in the sport. He accomplished this feat with a driver on a sharp dogleg hole.
- Player: Larry Bruce
- Year: 1962
- Course: Hope Country Club
- Hole: Par-5, 452 yards
- Score: Hole-in-one
2. Dick Hogan (1973)
Over a decade later, Dick Hogan matched the incredible achievement. His condor further established that while seemingly impossible, a hole-in-one on a par-5 could happen under the right circumstances.
- Player: Dick Hogan
- Year: 1973
- Course: Piedmont Crescent
- Hole: Par-5, 456 yards
- Score: Hole-in-one
3. Shaun Lynch (1995)
Shaun Lynch’s condor is perhaps one of the most famous due to the sheer audacity of the shot. His was not a straight shot; it was a clever and powerful shortcut over an obstacle. The hole was horseshoe-shaped, and instead of playing around it, Lynch hit his 3-iron directly over a 20-foot-high hedge, cutting the corner and sending the ball straight into the hole.
Imagine having to cut a corner over a 20-foot-high hedge to make history. That’s exactly what Shaun Lynch did.
- Player: Shaun Lynch
- Year: 1995
- Course: Teign Valley
- Hole: Par-5, 496 yards
- Score: Hole-in-one (achieved on a horseshoe-shaped hole)
4. Mike Crean (2002)
Mike Crean’s condor is a story of raw power assisted by physics. His record-setting 517-yard drive was achieved at a course in Colorado, where the high altitude played a crucial role.
At high altitudes, the air is thinner, meaning there is less drag (air resistance) on the golf ball. This reduction in resistance allows the ball to travel significantly further than it would at sea level, turning a mammoth drive into a history-making hole-in-one.
- Player: Mike Crean
- Year: 2002
- Location: Colorado, USA
- Hole: Par-5, 517 yards
- Score: Hole-in-one (aided by high altitude)
5. Jack Bartlett (2007)
The fifth condor was recorded in Australia by teenager Jack Bartlett. His shot on the 17th hole at Wentworth Falls Country Club was another incredible hole-in-one on a par-5, proving that this feat knows no age limit.
- Player: Jack Bartlett
- Year: 2007
- Course: Wentworth Falls Country Club
- Hole: Par-5, 511 yards
- Score: Hole-in-one
6. Kevin Pon (2020)
The most recent condor, and the one that updated the history books from five to six, belongs to Kevin Pon. This achievement is unique among the group because it is the only one to occur on a par-6 hole. He holed out his second shot on the 649-yard 18th hole at Lake Chabot, resulting in a score of 2. This is the only condor that was not a hole-in-one, making it a truly modern marvel.
- Player: Kevin Pon
- Year: 2020
- Course: Lake Chabot
- Hole: Par-6, 649 yards
- Score: 2 strokes
How a Condor Is Mathematically Possible
A condor is impossible on par-3 and par-4 holes because scoring four-under would require a negative score. The feat is only achievable on holes with a par of 5 or higher. The mathematics are straightforward but highlight the incredible challenge. Looking at the numbers, you can see why the combination of extreme distance and accuracy makes this golf’s ultimate rare feat.
The table below breaks down exactly what is required to score a condor on different types of long holes.
| Hole Par | Score Needed for Condor (-4) | Feat Required |
|---|---|---|
| Par-5 | 1 | Hole-in-One |
| Par-6 | 2 | Two Strokes |
| Par-7 | 3 | Three Strokes |
To even attempt a condor, you need the perfect combination of equipment and skill. Having the right driver and ball designed for maximum distance and control can make all the difference on those exceptionally long par-5 and par-6 holes.
FAQs About The Condor in Golf
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this legendary golf score.
What are the odds of getting a condor in golf?
There are no officially calculated odds for a condor because the event is too rare to create a statistical model. They are astronomically high, far exceeding the 6-million-to-1 odds often cited for an albatross. It is widely accepted as the most improbable shot in the sport.
What is rarer, a condor or an albatross?
A condor is significantly rarer than an albatross. While an albatross (three-under par) is a career highlight for any golfer who achieves one, thousands have been recorded over the years. In contrast, only six condors have ever been verified in the entire history of golf.
Has a condor ever been scored in a professional tournament?
No. A condor has never been recorded during any professional golf tournament (like the PGA Tour or European Tour). All six known condors were achieved by amateur golfers during non-competitive rounds. This fact underscores the incredible difficulty and luck involved.
What is the rarest shot in golf?
Based on recorded history, the condor is the rarest score in golf. Achieving a score of four-under par on a single hole has been documented only six times, making it more infrequent than a hole-in-one on a par-4 or any other remarkable shot.
What is better than a condor in golf?
There is no official golf score better than a condor. A five-under-par score, sometimes unofficially called an “ostrich,” would require a hole-in-one on a par-6 or a 2 on a par-7. This has never been recorded and is considered a purely theoretical score. Therefore, the condor remains the pinnacle of golfing achievement.
Final Summary: Golf’s Six Historic Condors
The condor is more than just a score; it is a piece of golfing folklore. It represents the absolute limit of what is possible on a golf course, a perfect fusion of power, strategy, and luck that has only been achieved six times. From Larry Bruce’s first in 1962 to Kevin Pon’s unique par-6 feat in 2020, each of the how many condors in golf tells a story of a truly perfect shot.
As this guide has shown, the facts are clear and cement the condor’s status as golf’s rarest prize.
- ✅ A condor is a score of four strokes under par (-4).
- ✅ There have been six verified condors recorded in history.
- ✅ The feat requires a hole-in-one on a par-5 or a 2 on a par-6.
- ✅ It has never been accomplished in a professional tournament.
Now that you know about golf’s most exclusive club, share this amazing piece of trivia with your fellow golf fans!
Last update on 2025-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
