What Is an Albatross in Golf?
Dec, 1 2025
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Ever heard someone say they scored an albatross on the 18th hole and wondered what in the world that means? It’s not a bird you saw flying overhead-it’s one of the rarest and most exciting achievements in golf. An albatross in golf means scoring three under par on a single hole. That’s right: if you finish a par-5 hole in just two strokes, you’ve pulled off an albatross. It’s also called a double eagle, and it’s far rarer than a hole-in-one.
How an Albatross Works in Golf Scoring
Golf uses a simple scoring system: par is what a skilled golfer is expected to take to finish a hole. Most holes are par-3, par-4, or par-5. A birdie is one under par, an eagle is two under, and an albatross is three under. So:
- On a par-5: 2 strokes = albatross
- On a par-4: 1 stroke = albatross (this is nearly impossible and has only happened a handful of times)
- On a par-3: 0 strokes = albatross (physically impossible)
That’s why you’ll almost always hear about albatrosses on par-5s. It requires either a long drive, a perfect second shot that lands near or in the hole, or a combination of both. Some players hit the green in one on a par-5-then sink the putt. Others land within inches of the cup on their second shot and tap in.
Why It’s So Rare
Even professional golfers don’t see many albatrosses. In the entire history of the PGA Tour, there have been fewer than 100 recorded albatrosses. Compare that to over 10,000 hole-in-ones. That’s because hitting a 500-yard drive and then another 200-yard shot that lands in the hole? That’s not just skill-it’s a mix of power, precision, and luck.
One of the most famous albatrosses happened at the 2012 Masters Tournament. Louis Oosthuizen holed out from 253 yards on the par-5 second hole. The crowd went wild. The shot was so clean and unexpected that replays still get shown during tournament broadcasts.
Amateurs have pulled off albatrosses too-but it’s usually on shorter par-5s, or with help from downhill lies, firm fairways, or strong tailwinds. In 2020, a 16-year-old amateur in Australia scored an albatross on a par-5 that measured just 480 yards. He drove it 310 yards, then hit a 9-iron that rolled in. It was the talk of his club for years.
Albatross vs Eagle vs Birdie
It helps to understand how albatrosses fit into the bigger picture of golf scoring:
| Term | Under Par | On Par-5 | On Par-4 | On Par-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birdie | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Eagle | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Albatross | 3 | 2 | 1 | Impossible |
Notice how an eagle on a par-4 is already impressive-hitting the green in one and putting in? That’s what most amateurs dream of. An albatross on a par-4? That’s a hole-in-one on a long hole. Only a few have ever done it in tournament play.
Where Do Albatrosses Happen?
You won’t find many albatrosses on short par-5s. Most happen on long, challenging holes where the risk-reward is high. Courses like Augusta National, St. Andrews, and Pebble Beach have seen albatrosses because they feature wide fairways, firm conditions, and long par-5s that allow for aggressive play.
Some courses even have special markers or plaques where an albatross was made. At the 16th hole of TPC Sawgrass, there’s a small plaque honoring the only albatross ever recorded there during a PGA Tour event. It happened in 2009 when Shaun Micheel hit a 3-wood from 245 yards that bounced once and rolled in.
How to Increase Your Chances
Are you hoping to score an albatross? Here’s what helps:
- Play on par-5 holes that are 550 yards or less-shorter holes give you a better shot at reaching the green in two.
- Focus on driving accuracy over distance. A straight drive sets up the second shot better than a wild 300-yard bomb that lands in the rough.
- Use the right club on your second shot. Many albatrosses happen with mid-irons, not drivers. A 5-iron or 6-iron with a good lie can fly farther than you think.
- Play on firm, fast fairways. The ball rolls more, which can turn a 240-yard shot into a 270-yard one.
- Don’t force it. Most albatrosses happen when the shot feels natural, not desperate. Trying too hard often leads to fat or thin shots.
And yes-wind helps. A strong tailwind can add 15 to 20 yards to your shot. Some players even plan their round around weather forecasts, waiting for a day with a steady breeze to go for broke on a long par-5.
What Comes After an Albatross?
There’s no official term beyond an albatross. Some golfers joke about a “condor”-four under par-which would mean a hole-in-one on a par-5. Only four condors have ever been recorded in history, and all were on par-5 holes that were unusually short (under 400 yards). One happened in 1962 on a 250-yard par-5 in Wisconsin. The player used a 3-iron. That’s the kind of shot that belongs in a movie.
But even if you never hit a condor, scoring an albatross puts you in an elite group. Golfers who’ve done it often keep the scorecard. Some frame it. Others show it to their grandkids.
Final Thoughts
An albatross isn’t just a score-it’s a moment. It’s the kind of thing you remember for the rest of your life. You don’t need to be a pro to do it. You just need the right conditions, a solid swing, and a little bit of magic. And if you ever pull it off? You’ve done something fewer than 1 in 10,000 golfers will ever experience.
Is an albatross the same as a double eagle?
Yes, they mean the same thing. "Albatross" is the term more commonly used outside the U.S., while "double eagle" is the American term. Both describe scoring three under par on a hole.
Has anyone ever made an albatross on a par-4?
Yes, but it’s extremely rare. Only a handful of albatrosses on par-4 holes have been officially recorded. They require a hole-in-one, which means hitting the ball from the tee directly into the cup on a hole that’s typically 300 to 450 yards long. The most famous example was by Shaun Micheel at the 2006 PGA Championship on the 17th hole at Medinah.
How often do professional golfers score an albatross?
On average, a professional golfer might score an albatross once every 10 to 15 years, if they’re lucky. In the PGA Tour’s history, there have been fewer than 100 recorded albatrosses. That’s less than one per year across all players.
Can amateurs score an albatross?
Absolutely. While rare, amateurs have scored albatrosses on shorter par-5 holes, especially when conditions are favorable-firm ground, tailwind, or a downhill lie. Some golf clubs even keep records of amateur albatrosses and celebrate them like tournament wins.
What’s the longest hole an albatross has ever been made on?
The longest recorded albatross was on a 572-yard par-5 at the 2018 U.S. Senior Open. The player, a 62-year-old pro, hit a 305-yard drive and then a 267-yard 3-wood that rolled into the hole. The ball landed on the green and took one final bounce before dropping in.
If you’re ever lucky enough to score an albatross, don’t just celebrate-it’s part of golf history. And if you haven’t yet? Keep swinging. One day, the stars might just align.