What is an Eagle in Golf and When Do Golfers Make Them?

To the average weekend warrior, the idea of carding an eagle is about as likely as going to space. Perhaps the Golf Gods will be on your side in one of these rounds and you could find yourself in one of these eagle-breeding scenarios.

The most likely scenario you’ll have in your golf life of writing down an eagle is by getting a 3 on a par 5 (gross, not net). We’re giving the chances of this happening “good” simply based on the amateur golfer who plays hundreds of rounds from childhood to senior citizen. 

There will come a day when the stars align and the wind is at your back on a par 5 at your local muni. You’ll hit a great drive, pipe your fairway wood towards the green, and those gusts will guide your ball onto the putting surface. Then, magically, you’ll drain the putt to card an eagle. Not too outlandish of thinking, right?

If that doesn’t get you believing, here's a modified scenario. Wind at your back, great drive, fairway wood to a reasonable chip around the green. Then, your chip lands in the bottom of the cup. It doesn’t matter how it gets there, a 3 is a 3. Holing out for eagle on a par 5 could be your best bet.

There are plenty of courses, public and private, that toss in a short par 4. If the wind is strong at your back and you catch your drive on the screws, it’s plausible that your ball could roll onto the green. What’s left is for you to drain a putt and card a 2 on a par 4 for eagle.

This above scenario is a little more realistic for players who consistently drive the ball 300 yards or more. As long as there isn’t water or other hazards in the way, driving the green on a par 4 is certainly possible. Like the par 5 we mentioned above, however, there’s always another way. Perhaps your drive fell just short of the green. There’s always the chance of chipping your ball in for an eagle 2 on a par 4.

According to the National Hole-in-One Registry, the chances of making a hole-on-one on a par 3 is 12,500:1. It’s not crazy when you hear of people that have two or more hole-in-ones to their credit. The most sought-after feat for an amateur golfer isn’t impossible, you just need to keep playing until one drops in. It might be when you’re 13 or 93, but we like the chances.

A double eagle, also known as an albatross, is one stroke better than an eagle, either a 1 on a par 4 or a 2 on a par 5. As you can imagine, this isn’t nearly as common as an eagle. For amateur players, a double eagle is almost non-existent because it has to come in the form of a hole-in-one of a par 4 (Happy Gilmore style) or a hole out with your second shot on a par 5.

For PGA Tour players, there has been an average of three double eagles (also known as an albatross) per season over the past 10 years. The most recent took place at the 2022 Players Championship when Russell Henley carded a 2 on the 11th hole at TPC Sawgrass. His score on the 10th hole? Double bogey.

While your chances of an albatross are slimmer than slim, an eagle is certainly attainable at some point in your lifetime. If it hasn’t happened yet, don’t give up hope. Your day will come.