An eagle in golf is a score of two strokes under par on a single hole. In order to achieve this feat, the golfer must save two strokes between their drive, approach shot, and putt.
Here are the different ways you can score an Eagle:
- Scoring 1 stroke on a Par 3 hole (-2)
- Scoring 2 strokes on a Par 4 hole (-2)
- Scoring 3 strokes on a Par 5 hole (-2)
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Why is it called an eagle?
Before the term eagle was coined in golf, the term birdie, or scoring one under par, was already being commonly used.
That’s why the eagle received its name, because it means a “big bird” for a bigger achievement.
Are there any other types of eagles?
Although they’re extremely rare, there are a few different types of eagles you can score as a golfer.
A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is a score of three strokes under par on a particular hole.
Most commonly, this happens on a Par 5, where a golfer’s second shot gets in the hole.
There is also a triple eagle, known as a condor, which is a hole-in-one on a Par 5 that’s only happened a few times.
How rare are eagles?
Eagles are very rare, even among the best of the best professional golfers.
In 2021, Cam Davis led the PGA Tour with 20 eagles out of 1692 holes, scoring an eagle on 1.18% of holes.
But, Cam Davis didn’t have the highest rate of eagles per hole on the PGA Tour; Bryson Dechambeau did.
In 2021, Bryson scored an eagle on 1.27% of holes played, with a total of 19 eagles on 1494 holes.
With all of these factors in mind, I would say it’s more likely for an average golfer to play an entire year of golf without scoring an eagle than it is for them to score one in any given year.
What is the most common way to score an eagle?
Eagles are most commonly scored on Par 5s, where you need to score a 3 to achieve it.
Generally, they’re scored with a Drive-Approach-Putt on a shorter hole where it only requires two shots to reach the green, instead of three, and then a putt.
In addition, you can score an eagle on a Par 4 with a Drive-Putt or Drive-Approach, or a Par 3 where you will need a hole-in-one, or an ace.
