The Albatross: Golf's 3-Under Par Rarity Explained

Imagine a shot so rare, it makes a hole-in-one look common. That’s the albatross. For many golfers, hearing the term “albatross” or “double eagle” sparks curiosity, but the true scale of this incredible achievement often remains a mystery. This guide unravels exactly what an albatross in golf is, why it’s so revered, and how it fits into the landscape of golf’s greatest feats.

An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It is one of the rarest achievements in golf, requiring an extraordinary combination of power, precision, and luck.

Leveraging extensive analysis of historical data and scoring statistics, we’ll dive deep into the numbers that prove its rarity, explore the legendary moments that defined its legacy, and clarify the terminology once and for all. This guide unpacks proven approaches and critical insights to help you effectively understand what an albatross in golf truly represents—a near-mythical accomplishment.

Key Facts

The Official Score: An albatross is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole, making it rarer than an eagle (two-under) or a birdie (one-under).

Astronomical Odds: The odds of an amateur golfer making an albatross are estimated at a staggering 6 million to 1, as highlighted by multiple analyses.

Rarer Than an Ace: An albatross is significantly rarer than a hole-in-one. For comparison, the odds of an amateur making a hole-in-one are approximately 12,500 to 1.

Historical Origin: The term “albatross” first appeared in a Scottish newspaper in 1929, continuing golf’s bird-themed scoring tradition to signify an exceptionally rare feat.

Legendary Status: The most famous albatross is arguably Gene Sarazen’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” at the 1935 Masters, a shot that helped him win the tournament and immortalized the term “double eagle” in America.

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What Is an Albatross in Golf? The Official Definition

An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It is one of the rarest achievements in golf. Imagine a shot so rare, it makes a hole-in-one look common. That’s the albatross. This score represents a monumental feat of skill and fortune, officially defined as completing a hole in three strokes under par. It’s considered one of golf’s most celebrated achievements because it requires two near-perfect shots in succession on a long hole, or one perfect shot on a shorter one. The terms albatross and double eagle are used interchangeably to describe this incredible accomplishment.

How an Albatross is Scored on Different Holes

An albatross is typically scored by making a 2 on a par-5 hole or by achieving a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. While the definition of three-under-par is simple, the practical application varies depending on the hole’s design. To understand how to get an albatross, you need to look at the par of the hole.

On a Par-5 Hole: This is the most common scenario for an albatross. It involves a player sinking the ball in just two strokes. This usually means a long, accurate drive followed by a second shot holed out from the fairway.
On a Par-4 Hole: An albatross on a par-4 requires scoring a hole-in-one. This “ace” is automatically three strokes under par, making it a perfect example of an albatross.
On a Par-6 Hole: On the very rare par-6 holes found on some courses, an albatross would be a score of 3.
On a Par-7 Hole: On the even rarer par-7 holes, an albatross would be achieved by holing out in four strokes.

Albatross in Context: Understanding Golf’s Bird-Themed Scoring

In golf’s bird-themed scoring, an albatross (3-under) is rarer and more significant than an eagle (2-under) or a birdie (1-under). To fully appreciate the significance of what an albatross in golf is, it helps to see where it fits in the scoring hierarchy. Golf has a fun, bird-themed naming convention for its best scores. Understanding the basics of birdie vs eagle and other golf scoring terms provides crucial context.

Pro Tip: Notice the pattern? The rarer the score, the more impressive the ‘bird’ in its name.

Scoring Term	Score Relative to Par	Example
Par	Even (0)	A score of 4 on a par-4 hole.
Birdie	One Stroke Under Par (-1)	A score of 3 on a par-4 hole.
Eagle	Two Strokes Under Par (-2)	A score of 3 on a par-5 hole.
Albatross	Three Strokes Under Par (-3)	A score of 2 on a par-5 hole.

The Staggering Rarity of an Albatross: A Numbers Game

The odds of an amateur golfer making an albatross are estimated at 6 million to 1, making it significantly rarer than a hole-in-one (12,500 to 1). If you’re wondering just how rare is an albatross in golf, the statistics are mind-boggling. For the average amateur player, the odds of carding an albatross are approximately 6 million to 1. Even for professionals, the odds are still a long shot, estimated at around 1 million to 1. This makes it truly one of golf’s rarest achievements.

With odds like that, it’s easy to see why an albatross is often compared to winning the lottery, isn’t it?

To put this into perspective, the odds of an amateur making a hole-in-one are approximately 12,500 to 1. This means you are statistically hundreds of times more likely to make an ace than you are to score an albatross.

One of the key reasons for its rarity is that less than 10% of golfers have the length and skill to even attempt to reach a par-5 green in two shots, which is the most common path to an albatross. It requires a powerful drive followed by a perfectly executed long-iron, hybrid, or fairway wood shot that finds the bottom of the cup from hundreds of yards away.

Albatross vs. Double Eagle: Unpacking the Terminology

“Albatross” is the original British term, chosen for the bird’s rarity, while “double eagle” is the more common American term for the same 3-under-par score. A common point of confusion in golf terminology is the difference between an albatross and a double eagle. The simple answer is that there is no difference in the score itself—they both mean three strokes under par. The variation is purely geographical and historical.

Quick Fact: The term ‘double eagle’ is the more common name in American golf, largely thanks to one legendary shot at the Masters.

Albatross: This is the original term, first appearing in a Scottish newspaper in 1929. It was chosen to continue the bird-themed scoring system (birdie, then eagle). The albatross bird is known for its impressive size and rarity, making it a fitting symbol for such an extraordinary golf shot.
Double Eagle: This is the preferred term in the United States. Its popularity surged after Gene Sarazen’s famous albatross at the 1935 Masters was dubbed the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” and widely referred to as a “double eagle.” It’s a logical name, as it is one better than an eagle.

Golf History’s Most Famous Albatrosses

Famous albatrosses include Gene Sarazen’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” at the 1935 Masters and Louis Oosthuizen’s on the 2nd hole of the 2012 Masters. The albatross is more than just a number on a scorecard; it’s a creator of legends. These shots are so rare that the ones made on the world’s biggest stages are etched into golf history forever.

Gene Sarazen: At the 1935 Masters, Sarazen hit a 4-wood from 235 yards on the par-5 15th hole that found the cup for an albatross. This shot erased a three-stroke deficit and forced a playoff, which he went on to win. It remains arguably the most famous single shot in golf history.
Louis Oosthuizen: During the final round of the 2012 Masters, Oosthuizen holed a 4-iron from 253 yards on the par-5 2nd hole. It was the first-ever albatross on that hole and an unforgettable moment broadcast to millions.

Jeff Maggert: Maggert holds a unique distinction. He is one of the few players to have scored an albatross in two different major championships—the 1994 Masters and the 2001 Open Championship.

Beyond the Albatross: What Is a Condor in Golf?

Think an albatross is rare? The condor takes rarity to a whole new level. Just when you think you’ve reached the pinnacle of rare golf feats, there’s one more level that is almost mythical: the condor.

A condor, also known as a triple eagle or a double albatross, is the rarest shot in golf—a score of four strokes under par on a single hole. This is typically achieved by making a hole-in-one on a par-5.

This feat is so rare that only a handful of condors have ever been recorded in golf history. It requires an incredibly long and perfectly directed drive on a dogleg hole or a hole with extreme elevation changes. While an albatross is the holy grail for most, the condor remains the stuff of legends, the absolute rarest feat in golf.

Achieving the perfect long-distance shot for an albatross requires not just skill but also the right gear. To help you get the power and precision needed for those rare opportunities, here are some of the top-rated long-distance golf equipment available.

FAQs About The Golf Albatross

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about what an albatross in golf is.

Why do they call it an albatross in golf?

It’s called an albatross to continue golf’s “bird-themed” scoring, with the large, rare albatross bird chosen to symbolize the extraordinary nature of a 3-under-par score. The naming convention started with “birdie” for one-under-par. When a two-under-par score needed a name, the majestic “eagle” was chosen. For the even rarer three-under-par, the impressive and seldom-seen albatross was the logical next step.

Can you only get an albatross on a par-5?

No, while most common on a par-5 (with a score of 2), an albatross can also be achieved with a hole-in-one on a par-4. An albatross is defined as three strokes under par, regardless of the hole. So, a score of 1 on a par-4 is an albatross, as is a score of 2 on a par-5. Theoretically, a 3 on a par-6 would also count.

What is rarer, a hole-in-one or an albatross?

An albatross is significantly rarer. The odds of an amateur making an albatross are about 6 million to 1, compared to 12,500 to 1 for a hole-in-one. While both are incredible achievements, the statistical probability makes the albatross a far more elusive feat. The sheer difficulty of holing out a second shot from hundreds of yards away makes it a true once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Has Tiger Woods ever had an albatross?

While Tiger Woods has had many incredible shots, the most frequently cited historical albatrosses belong to players like Gene Sarazen and Louis Oosthuizen. Although Woods is one of the greatest golfers of all time, a confirmed albatross during a major professional tournament is not one of his most widely documented achievements, unlike the famous shots from other legendary players.

What is the rarest feat in golf?

The rarest feat in golf is a condor, a score of four-under-par on a single hole. Only a handful have ever been recorded. A condor is typically a hole-in-one on a par-5, a shot so improbable it is considered almost mythical in the golf world. It is substantially rarer than even an albatross.

Final Summary: The Albatross is Golf’s Holy Grail

Ultimately, what an albatross in golf represents is the perfect storm of power, precision, and luck. It’s a shot that turns a good round into a legendary one and can change the momentum of a major championship in a single swing. It is a moment every golfer dreams of but exceptionally few will ever experience.

The Definition: An albatross, or double eagle, is a score of three strokes under par on one hole.
The Rarity: With odds of 6 million to 1 for amateurs, it is monumentally rarer than a hole-in-one.
The Terminology: “Albatross” is the original British term, while “double eagle” is the common American name for the same score.
The Legends: The feat is immortalized by iconic shots from players like Gene Sarazen and Louis Oosthuizen in major championships.

Now that you know what an albatross is, you’ll have a new appreciation for just how special it is the next time you hear the term on a broadcast! It’s not just a score; it’s a monumental achievement and a true pinnacle of performance in the sport.

Last update on 2025-08-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Albatross: Golf’s 3-Under Par Rarity Explained