When it comes to golf, there are various terms used to denote specific scores. That being said, not all players are familiar with them, as the majority of casual players play golf simply to have a good time.
However, professional players or the ones looking to join them should get more familiar with various golfing terms. The fact of the matter is that some scores are quite rare in golf, which is probably the reason why many players are not familiar with them. Such examples include a birdie, a bogey, and, of course, an eagle. So, with that in mind, let’s see what it means to score an eagle and learn a bit more about the term in general.
What is an eagle in golf?
In the world of golf, various scores have different names. So, for instance, a successful score of one stroke less than the par of the hole is called a bride. An eagle, on the other hand, is a score that is 2-under par of any given hole. So, that means that if you manage to score 1 on a par-3 hole, you have managed to score an eagle. In golf, each hole has its par. There are usually par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes on every golf course, with par-6 being extremely rare. Here, “par” denotes the number of strokes a professional golfer would ideally need to make in order to complete the play of a particular hole. Birdies are not very common in golf and, not surprisingly, eagles are even rarer. Therefore, if you ever manage to score an eagle, feel free to gloat about it.
The origin of the term
In order to be able to fully understand the origin of the term eagle, we first need to look at the origin of the term birdie. Birdie is a golf term that originated in America in the early 1900s. During that time, people used the term “bird” to describe when something is particularly good. So, that is where the term birdie originated from. Believe it or not, the eagle got its name simply because an eagle is quite a big bird.
What is a double-eagle?
Moreover, it can sometimes happen that people score a double-eagle or a hole-in-one. A hole-in-one most commonly occurs on par-3 holes, because if a golfer manages to hole in on the tee shot, he will end up with a 2-under par on this hole, which will result in an eagle. Similar to this, we have a double-eagle. In order to score a double eagle, a golfer will need to shoot 3under par on a hole. Needless to say, this is only possible on par-4, par-5, and par-6 holes. Interestingly enough, a double-eagle is also called an albatross – again, due to the fact that a bird albatross is bigger than an eagle. Aside from these, you also have a condor which is used to describe 4-under par on a hole. Of course, scoring a condor is only possible on par-5 and par-6 holes. When a condor is scored on a par-5 hole, it can also be called a hole-in-one.
How to score an eagle?
Now that you know what an eagle means in golf, let’s see how you can practice your swings to eventually be able to score one yourself. First and foremost, you will need to have excellent golf ball maneuvering skills. On top of that, you will also need to be a long hitter and put maximum power in your tee shots. This is the best way to ensure that you have maximized your chances of scoring an eagle. Of course, maximum concentration and precision will also aid you immensely. And, needless to say, the more you practice this type of swing, the easier it will be to score it. Once you do, remember to put two circles around the score on your scorecard, to mark the eagle properly.
Therefore, the next time you hit a golf course try to see how difficult it is for you to try and score an eagle. Who knows? Maybe you are natural and actually manage to score one quite easily. If not, this can be a new fun challenge for you. Just like with anything else in life, remember that practice makes perfect. So, make sure you practice this type of swing as much as possible if being able to score an eagle is something you are looking forward to. You can even make use of the amazing indoor golf centers and practice your swings even when the weather is not ideal. If you want to practice first, you should consider membership or online lessons in the indoor club!