Par is the score set for a hole. One stroke under par is a birdie, two under is an eagle and three under is an albatross. One over par is a bogey and two over is a double bogey.
Every hole has a par, usually 3, 4 or 5. Your score on that hole is described by comparing the strokes you took with its par.
The scoring terms
- Albatross: three strokes under par.
- Eagle: two strokes under par.
- Birdie: one stroke under par.
- Par: exactly the expected number of strokes.
- Bogey: one stroke over par.
- Double bogey: two strokes over par.
Examples on a par 4 and par 5
- 01
On a par 4, a score of 3 is a birdie, 4 is par and 5 is a bogey.
- 02
On a par 5, a score of 3 is an eagle, 4 is a birdie and 5 is par.
- 03
A 2 on a par 5 is an albatross, an exceptionally rare score.
Where does a hole-in-one fit?
A hole-in-one simply means holing the ball with the first stroke. On a par 3 it is also an eagle; on a par 4 it would also be an albatross. The name describes how many strokes were taken, while birdie or eagle describes the score relative to par.
The essential point
Remember the scale around par: birdie is −1, eagle −2, albatross −3, bogey +1 and double bogey +2.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
- USGA – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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