What is a birdie in golf?

A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a single hole. On a par-3, a birdie is 2 strokes. On a par-4, it's 3 strokes. On a par-5, it's 4 strokes. The term originated in 1903 at Atlantic City Country Club when golfer Ab Smith described an excellent shot as a 'bird of a shot' -- American slang of the era for something outstanding.

What is a bogey in golf?

A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a single hole. On a par-4, a bogey is 5 strokes. The term originated in 19th-century Britain from the popular song 'The Bogey Man,' where Colonel Bogey represented the score a good golfer should make. Over time, as standards improved, bogey shifted from meaning par to meaning one over par.

Par is the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole or an entire course. Par comes from the Latin word 'par,' meaning equal. Most holes are par 3, par 4, or par 5. A full 18-hole course is typically par 70, 71, or 72. Scoring at par means you matched the expected score exactly.

What is an albatross in golf?

An albatross is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. It is also called a double eagle in the United States. Scoring an albatross typically means holing out in 2 strokes on a par-5, or making a hole-in-one on a par-4. Albatrosses are rarer than holes-in-one and considered one of the greatest achievements in recreational golf.

What do the symbols on a golf scorecard mean?

Golf scorecards use circles and squares to indicate under-par and over-par scores. A double circle around the number means eagle or better (2+ under par). A single circle means birdie (1 under par). A plain number means par. A single square around the number means bogey (1 over par). A double square means double bogey (2 over par).

Golf Scoring Terms: Birdie, Eagle, Bogey & Par Explained (2026)

Q: What is an eagle in golf?

An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a single hole. On a par-5, this typically means reaching the green in two shots and making the putt. On a par-4, it requires holing an approach shot. Eagles are rare even for low-handicap golfers. The term followed birdie logically -- an eagle is a larger, more impressive bird.

Golf uses bird names for scores below par -- birdie (1 under), eagle (2 under), albatross (3 under) -- and the word bogey for one over. Here's every term explained, what each looks like on a scorecard, and how often you'll actually see them in a typical round.

Term	Score vs Par	Example (Par 4)	How Common
Condor	4 under par	Hole-in-one on par 5	6 times ever recorded
Albatross	3 under par	Hole-in-one on par 4	Rarer than a hole-in-one
Eagle	2 under par	2 strokes on a par 4	Rare -- even for low handicappers
Birdie	1 under par	3 strokes on a par 4	~1-4 per round for skilled players
Par	Even	4 strokes on a par 4	The expected score
Bogey	1 over par	5 strokes on a par 4	Most common for amateurs
Double Bogey	2 over par	6 strokes on a par 4	Very common for high handicappers
Triple Bogey	3 over par	7 strokes on a par 4	Common for beginners

What Is Par?

Par is the foundation of all golf scoring -- it's the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole or a full course. The word comes from the Latin par, meaning "equal." Every other scoring term is measured relative to par.

Holes are rated par 3, par 4, or par 5. Short holes (par 3) expect you to reach the green in one shot and two-putt. Medium holes (par 4) expect a tee shot, approach, and two putts. Long holes (par 5) add an extra shot to get to the green. A full 18-hole course is typically par 70, 71, or 72.

How Scores Appear on a Scorecard

Eagle (2 under)

3Double circle

Birdie (1 under)

4Single circle

Par (even)

5Plain number

Bogey (1 over)

6Single square

Double Bogey (2 over)

7Double square

Score	Notation	Meaning
Eagle (2 under)	3	Double circle
Birdie (1 under)	4	Single circle
Par (even)	5	Plain number
Bogey (1 over)	6	Single square
Double Bogey (2 over)	7	Double square

What Is a Birdie?

Birdie

1 under par

The first score below par -- one stroke fewer than expected on any hole.

Par 3 → 2 strokes | Par 4 → 3 strokes | Par 5 → 4 strokes

The term came from American slang. In 1903 at Atlantic City Country Club, golfer Ab Smith hit his approach shot close on a par-4, holed the putt for 3, and called it "a bird of a shot" -- 1900s slang for something excellent. The phrase caught on immediately, and birdie became universal golf vocabulary within a decade.

For professional golfers, birdies are the currency of competition -- PGA Tour pros average roughly 4 birdies per round. For recreational golfers, even one birdie per round represents solid play. Players in the 1-5 handicap range average around 1-2 birdies per 18 holes.

4.2

Birdies per round, PGA Tour average

1-2

Birdies per round, 5-handicap golfer

Birdies per round, 15+ handicapper (avg)

What Is an Eagle?

Eagle

2 under par

Two strokes below par on a single hole -- significantly rarer than a birdie.

Par 4 → 2 strokes | Par 5 → 3 strokes

An eagle on a par-5 typically means reaching the green in two shots and making the putt. On a par-4, it requires holing an approach shot from the fairway -- a remarkable shot. The name followed naturally from birdie: if a regular bird was one under, an eagle -- a larger, more impressive bird -- was two under. Ab Smith and his playing partners at Atlantic City are credited with coining this term too, shortly after birdie took hold.

What Is a Bogey?

Bogey

1 over par

One stroke more than par -- the most common score for recreational golfers.

Par 3 → 4 strokes | Par 4 → 5 strokes | Par 5 → 6 strokes

Bogey has a curious origin. In 1890s Britain, "Colonel Bogey" was a fictional opponent representing the expected score for a good golfer -- essentially what par means today. As equipment improved and standards rose, par became the new target for top players, and bogey shifted to mean one over. The name itself came from a popular British music hall song, "The Bogey Man," where the Bogey was an elusive figure you were chasing.

Bogey golf -- making one bogey on every hole -- produces a score of 90 on a par-72 course. This is a genuine milestone and realistic goal for many developing golfers. Playing "bogey golf consistently" typically means a handicap around 17-20.

Double Bogey, Triple Bogey

Double Bogey

2 over par

Two strokes over par. Very common for high-handicap golfers, particularly on harder holes with hazards.

Par 4 → 6 strokes | Par 5 → 7 strokes

Double bogeys and triple bogeys are a normal part of learning golf. For beginners, limiting double bogeys to a handful per round represents genuine progress. The goal for most developing players is replacing double bogeys with bogeys, then bogeys with pars -- each step representing a significant improvement in course management and ball striking.

What Is an Albatross?

Albatross

3 under par

Three strokes below par on a single hole. Also called a double eagle in the United States. Rarer than a hole-in-one.

Par 4 → hole-in-one | Par 5 → 2 strokes

The albatross is one of the rarest birds in the world, and the golf score is equally rare. Scoring an albatross typically means holing out on a par-5 in 2 strokes -- hitting a long second shot into the cup -- or making a hole-in-one on a par-4. The first documented use of the term appeared in the 1920s. In major championship history, only 18 players have ever recorded an albatross. Americans more commonly call this a "double eagle," continuing the eagle naming convention rather than switching to albatross.

The Bird Theme -- Why Golf Uses Animal Names

The bird naming convention in golf is entirely American in origin, starting with "birdie" at Atlantic City in 1903. Once birdie caught on, the logic was irresistible: if a good score was a bird, an even better score should be a bigger, more impressive bird. Eagle followed for two under par. Albatross -- one of the largest and rarest birds on earth -- was chosen for three under par because the score itself is almost impossibly rare.

Bogey is the exception. It doesn't follow the bird pattern and predates the American naming conventions entirely, with British origins going back to the 1890s. There is no bird for par either -- par is neutral, so it kept its Latin name.

Where the Names Come From

Par1870s

Latin "par" (equal) -- adopted from finance

Bogey1890s

British -- "The Bogey Man" music hall song

Birdie1903

American slang "bird" = something excellent

Eagle~1910s

Extended from birdie -- bigger bird, better score

Albatross1920s

Largest rare bird -- for the rarest score

Term	Origin	Year
Par	Latin "par" (equal) -- adopted from finance	1870s
Bogey	British -- "The Bogey Man" music hall song	1890s
Birdie	American slang "bird" = something excellent	1903
Eagle	Extended from birdie -- bigger bird, better score	~1910s
Albatross	Largest rare bird -- for the rarest common score	1920s

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Golf Scoring Terms: Birdie, Eagle, Bogey & Par