What is an Eagle in Golf? Scoring Terms Explained

Have you always wanted to know more about the eagle in golf? 

No matter your level of golfing experience, in this article I’ll break down golf scoring terminology – with specific reference to the eagle.

Scoring an eagle is a difficult feat, a massive achievement showing skill and mastery. I’ll explain what it means, memorable eagles, plus some fun facts, trivia, and useful tips.

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What is an Eagle in Golf?

An eagle is a score of two strokes better than the par (expected score) on a single hole. In other words, a score of two under par.

For instance, at a par-5 hole, scoring an eagle means completing the hole in three strokes. Whereas an eagle at a par-4 hole is finishing the hole in two strokes.

For more information on par, read our article, what is the meaning of par in golf.:

Origins of the Term Eagle

Many golf scoring terms come from 19th century American slang. Such as the ‘birdie’ which denotes one stroke under par on a given hole. In the 1920s, the phrase ‘eagle’ came from the notion that an eagle is a better score than a birdie.

The difficulty of modern golf courses makes an eagle a rare, special moment. It requires an attacking approach with aggressive shot making.

How Does an Eagle Impact a Round of Golf?

On an individual golf hole, shooting two under par makes a massive difference. Scoring an eagle would set you up for a low scoring round. For all golfers an eagle will make a dramatic difference to their round.

The confidence from playing a superb hole can propel your play to the next level. This confidence is then often carried through the rest of the round.

Famous Eagle Moments

Over the years, we’ve seen some memorable eagles at major championships. In the 2011 US Open, Rory McIlroy shot an eagle on the 8th hole of his second round on his way to lifting the trophy. And who can forget Jack Nicklaus’ final round eagle during the 1986 Masters? His fifteenth hole eagle helped to seal an exhilarating major triumph. The last of his record breaking 6 Masters wins.

But it’s not just par 5s where we’ve seen incredible eagles. In the 2020 PGA Championship, Collin Morikawa hit the green from the tee on the par 4, 16th hole. Morikawa holed the putt and went on to win his first major championship. You can see the incredible tee shot on the 294 yard par 4 at TPC Harding Park below.

Other Golf Scoring Terms Explained 

Based on the United States Golf Association rules, here’s a brief overview of common golf scoring terms:

• Par – The expected number of strokes to finish a hole or round.
• Par-3 hole – A short hole where a golfer  aims to putt the ball within three strokes.
• Handicap – The number of strokes you’re expected to finish a round – either above or below the course par score.
• Nett Eagle – Let’s imagine you have an 18 handicap. You score one under par (three) at a par-4 hole. We apply your handicap rating to the hole, so your nett score is 2, giving a nett eagle.
• Double Eagle – Also known as an albatross. A single hole score of three under par. Say scoring two on a par-5 hole.
• Triple Eagle – A rare score of four strokes under par for a hole.
• Birdie – Scoring one under par at a specific hole.
• Bogey – A score of one over par on a hole.
• Double Bogey – A score of two strokes over par for a hole. For instance, a score of 5 at a par-3.
• Triple Bogey – A score of three over par at a particular hole.
• Quadruple Bogey – A score of four over par on a given hole.
• Hole-in-one – A remarkable moment. When a player’s tee shot lands directly into the hole in one stroke.

Tips for Achieving an Eagle

Next, I’ll run through some top tips to help you achieve an eagle.

Club Selection 

First of all, choose the right club according to the present course layout, wind and weather conditions.

Before playing your first shot, consider the hole par score. On a par-5 hole, for example, you might use a driver to aim for 300+ yards off your tee shot. Make sure you pick a driver that offers a balance of distance and control.

Then, your second shot could be a 3-wood or 5-wood to maximise your chances of reaching the green in no more than two strokes. 

Practice Your Shots 

To improve your scoring potential, practice is key. Dedicate many hours to hitting balls on the driving range or in a golf simulator. Such training can hone your strokes, whether it’s your tee shot, approach shots, or putting and chipping skill on and around the green.

Coaching

Alongside focused practice, perhaps enlist the help of a swing coach. A specialist can help to improve your swing technique by teaching the correct posture and biomechanics. These enhancements can bring more length and accuracy from your tee shots.

Technology

Budget permitting, incorporate technology into your routine. For instance, a GPS shot tracker. I reviewed the Shot Scope V5. For a modest investment, this device offers shot maps, distances to the green, and hazard identification, all tied in with shot tracking.

The Shot Scope dashboard also offers the “My Strategy” feature. This feature allows you to evaluate the best way to play any given hole using the information from your Shot Scope smart watch. Using your actual distances and dispersions, golfers can choose the best places to aim in order to setup that coveted eagle.

Be Realistic

But above all, set realistic expectations based on your current ability. Professional golfers make it look simple but for average golfers scoring an eagle is not easy, yet it’s still fun to try!

Nett Eagle

A score of two under par is more common for amateur golfers when taking into consideration their course handicap. If a golfer has a handicap of 18 for example, they receive one shot off their score each hole. This makes a “gross birdie” a “nett eagle”. Not quite the same sensation as a gross eagle, but still 2-under par from on the scorecard.

For professionals and plus handicap golfers a nett eagle can be even more difficult though! For example, if a good golfer is playing off a handicap of plus 2, and a par 5 is the stroke 17 or 18 then they would have to add a shot to their score. This means they’d have to make a score of 3-under par to achieve a nett eagle!

This is the beauty of the handicap system. It levels out the world of golf! An average golfer can compete with the best golfers and the winner will be the player with the lowest score relative to their handicap on any given day.

Facts and Trivia About Eagles in Golf

What does the eagle signify? The eagle symbolises excellence. It’s a fitting term for the skills needed to score an eagle. 

The eagle is also the national emblem of the United States. It holds an even greater significance for American golfers.

Did you know? Two circles on a golf scorecard means you have scored an eagle.

An eagle is most likely to happen on a par-5 hole. Where there’s often a reasonable chance to reach the green in the first two shots and pop the golf ball in the hole with one putt.

How do golfers celebrate scoring an eagle? A typical celebration is a simple fist pump or smile. For me it’s probably a little more than that, but since I’m not a scratch golfer, I don’t have a go to celebration for an eagle.

Phil Mickelson on the other hand is a great golfer! In the 2001 PGA tour season Mickelson hit four eagles in a single round during the Phoenix Open tournament. A remarkable achievement!

Final Thoughts 

We’ve discussed how an eagle is scoring two under par for a given hole. It’s a significant achievement for golfers of all abilities. While.expert golfers are likely to see more eagles on the golf course it’s not common for an amateur.

I’m not an expert golfer. I hover around the 12-15 handicap and have played competition golf regularly since returning to the sport in 2019. I can count on one hand the number of eagles I’ve had … in fact on one finger. I’ve had a few more in social rounds off yellow tees. A forward tee box makes it easier but from the tips it’s a rare feat and a remarkable achievement.

Besides aiming for the best score, golf is all about fun and enjoyment. I urge you to learn more about golf scoring and practice to improve your skills. Who knows, one day you could score an eagle just like the golfing greats!

Read more about basic golfing terms in our “Golf Terms Explained” category. Learn more about everyday golfing terms and give yourself more confidence on the golf course.

Bye for now!